I will commemorate your name through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever. Sermons
I. THE CHANGES OF LIFE. The fathers come first, then the children. There is a constant succession. We see the same on the earth. The sun and moon and stars are the same that have been from the beginning, but the scarred face of the earth indicates change. The year has its seasons. Fields white unto harvest to-day will be bare to-morrow. The leaves fade, and others come in their places. So it is in life. Go where you will, the cry is, "Your fathers, where are they?" (Zechariah 1:5). This throws great responsibility upon the living. They stand between the past and the future. From the fathers they have received much, and of them the children require much. They are the "heirs of all the ages," and they are bound to hand down, pure and entire, to those who come after, the glorious inheritance they have possessed. II. THE COMPENSATIONS OF LIFE. When the fathers are taken, we are ready to regard it as a calamity. If one fails who stood high in Church or state, we cry in our grief like David when Abner was slain, "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Samuel 3:38). But God's hand is in these things. There is compensation. If the fathers go, it is that the children may take their places. The line is never broken. The order which God has fixed continues. If Moses dies, Joshua takes his place. If Elijah is carried into heaven, his mantle falls upon Elisha. If Stephen is martyred in the midst of his labours, God has a chosen vessel in preparation, to take up his work, and carry it out in nobler ways than he could have done. So it is still. Though there be breaks and interruptions and intervals when things were dark, yet the law holds good. Let us take heed. The future is the outcome of the present. We are sowing in the hearts of our children the harvests that are to be. Let us do our duty towards those who are to come in our place, and leave results to God. "0 Church of God," said Augustine, "think not thyself abandoned, because thou seest not Peter, nor seest Paul. Seest not thou through whom thou wast born; out of thine own offspring has a body of 'fathers' been raised up to thee." III. THE DISTINCTIONS OF LIFE. 1. Their source is Divine. We say the sovereign is the source of honour. So it is in the higher things. True honour is from God only, and he gives it to those alone whom he has "made" to be worthy (John 1:12). 2. Their character is princely. When God makes princes, he makes princes in reality. He gives not only place, but power; and not only power, but the highest honours (Genesis 32:28; 2 Timothy 1:7; Revelation 1:5). What Gideon's brethren were in appearance they are in reality (Judges 8:18). 3. Their influence is world-wide. Wherever they are known, they are honoured. What was true of the twelve is true in a measure of all Christ's servants (Matthew 19:28). As Samuel Rutherford said with his last breath, "Glory dwelleth in Immanuel's land." - W.F.
I will make Thy name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the people praise Thee. Homiletic Magazine. Man knows himself to be a flower, which cometh forth and is cut down; yet he wishes the fragrance of his memory, like a costly perfume, to be perpetuated when he himself shall be crumbled into dust. The celebrated painter of antiquity exclaimed, "I paint for eternity." Human ambition always desires to do so. The father hopes to be remembered in his child, the author in his works, the hero in his triumphs, the statesman in his institutions, the legislator in his laws, the patriot in the benefits he has conferred upon his country. We should all love to have the prophecy of the text transferred to ourselves: "I will make Thy name to be remembered in all generations." But what is the exceeding brief and transitory remembrance which man seeks from man on earth compared with the unfading honours which Christ attains as the Author and Finisher of faith, or compared with the permanence of those regards which Christ secures to Himself in the hearts of His redeemed people?I. THE IMPORT OF THE SAVIOUR'S NAME. "His name." In the Old Testament the name of God is employed as a comprehensive formula to express the manifested glory of His entire character and perfections; and the New Testament attributes the same importance and dignity to the name of Christ which the current style of the Old Testament does to the name of Jehovah. We are said to be baptized in His name, to believe in His name; in His name the remission of sins is to be preached among all nations. And He is said to have a name written which no man knew but Himself. The name of Christ comprehends, therefore, all He is, and all He is to us. And in reference to His mediatorial character and triumphs, He is said to have a name which is above every name. The names of majesty and greatness enumerated by Isaiah — the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace — were names which our Lord possessed by right of nature as an equal sharer with the Eternal Father in the glories of Godhead; but His name Jesus He acquired by purchase, by conquest, by death. It cost Him life. As, therefore, Jacob preferred his name Israel before his former name of Jacob, because he acquired it as a memorial of victory, so our Lord may be considered as valuing the name of Jesus, the Saviour, from the suffering it commemorates, the triumph it records, and the love it implies, Certain it is, that by this designation He emphatically makes Himself known from the highest heaven. Thus He addressed Himself to Saul the persecutor on his way to Damascus, and to John in the Apocalypse. II. SOME OF THOSE GROUNDS ON WHICH WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO ANTICIPATE THE PERMANENT AND ENDURING INFLUENCE OF THE NAME AND RELIGION OF CHRIST. 1. From the fact that the dominion of Christ possesses all the elements of perpetuity, being founded on essential truth, and rectitude, and goodness. This is strongly intimated in the connection of the text: "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever." Why? "The sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou Lovest righteousness," etc. The Jewish writers have a proverb that "falsehood has no feet," and it is certain that in the great cycle of human affair's nothing is durable but truth. In the character and grace of Christ you have the pledge of the permanence of His religion and the perpetuity of His name. For power, He has all power in heaven and on earth. For wisdom in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. For love, His love passeth knowledge. For truth and faithfulness, heaven and earth shall pass away; but not one jot nor tittle of His Word shall fail. He awes monarchs on their thrones, and yet welcomes childhood to His embrace, and says, "Suffer little children to come unto Me." 2. From the fact that no substitute can be found in the entire universe for the Saviour's grace and salvation. 3. From the history and progress of this religion in ages past, which, though it has always been opposed, has always surmounted opposition, and nerved its friends with energy to uphold its interests. The past is in this respect the pledge of the future. The same principles which rendered Christianity triumphant at first can, and will, make it triumphant to the end; since we can scarcely conceive of tests more severe than those to which it has been subjected, of enemies more powerful than those it has overcome, or of conflicts more appalling than those which it has already surmounted. (Homiletic Magazine.) I. THE NAME OF GOD'S SON. 1. Immanuel — "God with us." But He is not only God, but God "with us." From eternity the Son of God appeared on our side. When the fulness of the time had come, He was manifested in our nature. 2. Jesus — "He shall save His people from their sins." II. THE IMPORT OF CHRIST'S NAME BEING REMEMBERED TO ALL GENERATIONS. This implies — 1. That in all ages men shall know His name. "The Son of God hath come, and hath given them an understanding that they may know Him that is true." What is the consequence? They discern Christ to be singularly excellent in His person, and every way suitable in His offices. "We believe, and are sure," is their language, "that Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God." 2. That in all ages men shall trust in His name. Is His gracious character revealed in the Gospel? He that remembers it perceives in Him ability and willingness to help. Hence, in the exercise itself of remembering, he appropriates the son of God to himself. Viewing Him as Immanuel, he exclaims, "My Lord and my God." Regarding Him as Jesus, he cries, "The Lord is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." 3. That in all ages men shall meditate on Christ's name. III. THE MEANS BY WHICH GOD MAKES CHRIST'S NAME TO BE REMEMBERED. 1. God preserves the Scriptures in which the name of Christ is recorded. 2. God raises up ministers by whom the name of Christ is published. 3. He continues the sacraments by which the name of Jesus is exhibited. In each of these Christ crucified is evidently set before us. 4. He sends the Spirit by which the name of Christ is impressed upon human hearts. All other means may, and often do, prove ineffectual in securing the remembrance of Christ's name. But here is a means which is, and must always be, successful. IV. THE CERTAINTY OF THIS MATTER. 1. The condition of men renders such remembrance of the name of Christ desirable. "There is none other name," etc. 2. The perfections of God make the continued remembrance of Christ's name possible. What are all difficulties, all opposition before Him? 3. The experience of past ages renders it probable that Christ shall still be remembered. 4. The covenant of promise makes it certain that Christ's name shall be remembered. (E. Brown.) 1. We find Him called "the mighty God" (Isaiah 9:6). 2. His name is "Immanuel," that is, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). God in our nature, God on our side. 3. We find Him called "the Messiah." 4. Another name whereby He is called is "Jesus," a Saviour. 5. Another name whereby our glorious surety is designed is, "the Lord our righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6). II. SOME THINGS IMPORTED IN THE PROMISE. 1. That it is no easy matter to keep up the remembrance of Christ's name in a sinful world. To do it is a work that God hath taken into His own hand in an eminent manner. 2. That Christ's name is very dear and precious to God the Father. 3. The maintenance and preservation of all the means of Divine appointment for keeping up the remembrance of Christ's name.(1) That God will have a professing and confessing Church, in one place or other of the world, in all generations.(2) Thai the Scriptures shall be preserved in all generations.(3) That the glorious Gospel shall be preached in all generations.(4) That the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper shall be administered in all generations. III. As CHRIST'S NAME SHALL BE REMEMBERED IN ALL GENERATIONS, SO THERE SHALL BE A PEOPLE PRAISING HIM FOR EVER AND EVER. 1. Mention a few things whirls we take to be supposed in a person or people their praising Christ.(1). We think this exercise of praising Christ supposes saving acquaintance with Him. Those only are in case to praise Christ to whom He hath manifested forth His glory and given the spiritual eye to behold it.(2) The promise that Christ shall be praised in all generations supposes that there shall be some inspired with true love to Him in every generation.(3) The exercise of giving praise and thanks to Christ supposes a humble and thankful frame of spirit. 2. That there shall lie a people praising Christ for ever and over. This truth will appear —(1) When it is considered that Jehovah the Father hath engaged Himself, by promise to Christ, theft He shall still be praised (Isaiah 53:11; Psalm 22:30, 31).(2) When we consider that the great and leading design of Christ in the whole work of redemption and salvation is to bring in a revenue of praise to the crown of heaven. IV. THE GROUNDS AND REASONS FOR WHICH THERE SHALL BE A PEOPLE PRAISING CHRIST FOR EVER AND EVER. 1. On account of His own personal dignity, worth and excellency. 2. On account of what He has done for them (Revelation 5:9). 3. For what He is and ever will continue to be unto them. V. USE. 1. Inferences.(1) Hence, see the sinfulness, folly and vanity of every endeavour to blot out the remembrance of Christ's name.(2) We may see what is the duty of all who would evidence themselves to be really the friends of Christ. Do you then ask, after what manner shall we, who are in a private station, contribute our share to the keeping up of the remembrance of Christ's name? You are to contribute to the keeping up the remembrance of Christ's name by making an open and explicit acknowledgment of all His truths before the world when you have a call in providence to do it. You are to make conscience of observing the worship of God in your families. You are to contribute your share to the keeping up of the remembrance of Christ's name in the world by a holy and circumspect walk and conversation. 2. Exhortation. (T. Bennet.) God is our refuge and strength. The psalm is divided into three parts, as the Selahs at the end of the third and seventh verses indicate. The first is shorter by one verse, but, were the refrain added to it — it has been said that it was once there — then the psalm stands with a symmetry almost unique. As it is, it has not many rivals. This treasure-house of sacred emotions is built of polished stones, and they are fitly set.1. The first part teaches us to test and try our faith. The singer anticipates a wider storm, and in imagination launches forth in troubled seas. He imagines a break-up, the sea prevailing on the shore, mountains shaken with the swelling thereof; yet through all his faith remains, and he calmly trusts in God. By anticipation he makes preparation for such a crisis, and disciplines his soul to face such an emergency. Our faith is not for an hour or a day: it is to be our mainstay through life and in the hour of death: it is meant to steady and strengthen us in every calamity, however sad, and in every crisis, however sudden. Let us do with it as men do with the anchor chain — try it in fair weather, subject it to a strain greater even than it will likely be called on to bear. Many a faith, once strong, is allowed to rust into weakness, just through sheer neglect. 2. The second part teaches us wisely to remember and profit by the past. Jerusalem had been besieged by the mighty Sennacherib, and delivered miraculously; and the remembrance of the experience strengthened their faith. That night, when the foe surged around her and beleaguered her gates, was a night of omen and portent; but the watchers, in the stillness of the night, still heard the sound of Siloa's brook as it rippled and tinkled through the silence; and they knew that God was with them. We, whose national life is seldom perilled either when the heathen rage or kingdoms are moved, must never forget that there are mercies as great surrounding us as if our path was more troubled. When the summer sun shines and the moon walks forth, we have in them as great tokens of His goodness as was displayed in the deliverance of Jerusalem. Pity the man whose life has gone well with him and who cannot say, The Lord is good: He has been with me. 3. We learn from the third part rightly to act with regard to the present. The time of war is over, its fierce flame has spent itself in desolation. We walk over the battlefield, and feel the silence which has fallen. Then the Divine command comes: "Be still, and know that I am God." All the peace there is on earth has risen out of the storm of war. Its hills were shaped into beauty amid the storms of nature: the grass grows from the detritus and wreck of storms: our liberties have all been purchased in war: Jesus Christ Himself comes from Bozra with dyed garments. 4. Such was the song of war the Hebrew singer sang; now it is the song of the gospel of peace and of victory; for "peace hath her victories no less renowned than war." By the heading, "A Song upon Alamoth," you will see this was a song for the dance, a song for the women to sing. It could be given to those with the gentlest hearts and silentest lives, as well as to those who had brave deeds to do. It was eminently Luther's psalm, on which he founded his own hymn, and is plainly fitted to be a song of the Church. (J. A. Black, M. A.) Homilist. I. THE EARTHLY SCENE OF THE GOOD IS THAT OF TUMULT AND OPPOSITION.1. To remind us of the constant presence of moral evil. 2. To heighten our aspirations for a peaceful future. II. THE PRESENT RESOURCES OF THE GOOD ARE ADEQUATE TO EVERY EMERGENCY. 1. Their resources are in God. 2. Their resources, being in God, are ample.(1) They are ever present, lie is ever present: "God is in the midst of her"; we have no distance to go.(2) They are ever certain. "God shall help her, and that right early," or at the breaking of the morning. Deliverance is often delayed till the last moment, but it will come. Abraham in offering Isaac; Israel at the Red Sea, etc. III. THE SPIRIT OF THE GOOD MAY, EVEN NOW, BE CALM AND TRIUMPHANT. "We will not fear." We will "be still, and know that He is God"; and more, we will sing in the fiercest tumult, "The Lord of Hosts is with us," etc. (Homilist.) Pulpit Analyst. There is an allusion to the cities of refuge.I. WHAT GOD IS TO THE CHRISTIAN. 1. A refuge, which greatly excels those cities of Israel which were appointed for refuge to the man-slayer. It is in Jesus: is very near to the guilty; believing brings him into it at once: it is not temporary, but eternal: those refuges were only for the innocent, but this for the sinful: those were only for protection, not for liberty; only the death of the high priest made the refugees free, but this, how different: those were of no avail to the feeble and weak, they were not helped in any way to escape. 2. Strength: through His Spirit promises means of grace. 3. A very present help in trouble: such as the day of contrition, of temptation, of trial, of death. II. THE CONFIDENCE THE BELIEVER HAS IN GOD. 1. He says he "will not fear." Inside the city of refuge the refugee was safe: so the soul in Christ (Romans 8:1). 2. God, being his help and strength, the want and loss of everything is supplied. 3. This absence of fear is not temerity. They have abundant reason for saying, "There. fore will not we fear." (Pulpit Analyst.) The author of this psalm is unknown, but the occasion, it is almost unanimously agreed, was the deliverance of Jerusalem from the army of Sennacherib. Christians in all ages have drawn encouragement and strength from its promises and triumph. ant declarations. Luther, in trouble, was accustomed to say to his friend Melanchthon, "Come, Philip, let us sing the forty-sixth psalm": when his face would brighten like the sky after a summer shower. Even the profligate Byron, infidel, yet true poet, breaks forth in lofty strains as he tells us how "The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold."I. GOD AS A REFUGE. God's children often need such refuge. A bird pursued by a hawk took shelter in the bosom of a man, who said to it, "I will not kill thee nor betray thee to thine enemy, seeing thou hast fled to me for sanctuary." Christ came into this world that the soul hunted by the fierce hawks of temptation and sin might have a safe refuge. II. GOD AS THE STRENGTH OF THE BELIEVER. Many would be Christians if they could only be assured that they would be eminent Christians. God never promises that, but only strength and grace. We are entirely dependent on Him for this. It has enabled men to — 1. Endure great trials. 2. To conquer. As the old crusaders put upon their bannered cross, "In hoc signo vinces," so many a believer to-day faces and conquers his enemies in the strength that God gives. III. GOD IS ALSO A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. This world, beautiful as it is, has its dark and gloomy side. No one is exempt from trial. A motherless little girl was asked, "What do you do without a mother to whom to tell your troubles?" She replied, "My mother told me before she died to go to the Lord Jesus. She said that He had always been her friend, and that if I would go to Him He Would always be my friend." "But," said the questioner, "He is a great way off, and has so much to do; He cannot attend to you." "I don't know how much He has to do," said the child, "but He has said He would take care of me, and I believe He will." Would that we all had the faith of this orphan child. (Robert Bruce Hull.) There are many who make their wealth their refuge. Others trust in their health and strength. They say, "Look at this strong arm, this robust chest, and this firm body! Talk of death: ah! ah! see my strength!"I. THE CHARACTER OF OUR GOD OFFERS TO US A SURE REFUGE, for there is no deception in Him. You have had fathers and mothers whose noble testimony to the character of God has been before you. They trusted in Him; and were their lives a failure? II. OUR FATHER GOD IS A REFUGE FROM ALL THE ATTACKS OF SATAN. Our Father will not allow the devil to battle with His children above their tiny strength. III. OUR FATHER IS A REFUGE FROM THE WICKED DESIRES OF OUR HEARTS. IV. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS OUR REFUGE FROM THE ALLUREMENTS OF THE SINFUL WORLD. Keep as far as ever you can from the paths that lead so many to a ruined life and an agonized death. V. IN JESUS WE SEE THAT GOD IS OUR SHELTER FROM THE SMITINGS OF A CONVICTED CONSCIENCE. (W. Birch.) A very present help in trouble. Since the days of King David the forty-sixth psalm has been a song of comfort for God's people. It was the song of the Christian martyrs of Europe, and of the persecuted Quakers of this country; and when our English dragoons pursued God's people in Scotland as if they were wild beasts. We cannot all bear trouble alike. Some men pass through deep waters without apparently feeling it very much, while others appear old almost before they are young men in years. Trouble comes in different ways. Sometimes through trade or business. When you lose your money, why should you also lose your peace? If your joy rests on your money, I would not give twopence for it. God is never so near as when we are in trouble. If this be so, let us march bravely under our burden, like Christian soldiers. Others may have trouble because they are vexed by a few enemies. If you are successful in any great and good work, men of feeble and envious mind will seek opportunities of showing their spite; but it ought not to vex and annoy you. And others may be in some trouble because of bereavement.(W. Birch.) Some years ago on fine Saturday afternoons it was my custom to scamper in the fields with some of our fatherless children. Once we went round by Salford to Weaste Lane, returning by the river bank and the adjoining fields. We were very weary and hungry when we reached Throstle Nest, and much disappointed to see no ferry-boat there to carry us across the river. After shouting to the opposite side until we were hoarse, we gave it up in despair, and I said to the children, "What shall we do?" Little Annie, a tiny girl with golden hair, replied, "I don't care, while you are here!" Does our God ever forget to attend to the requests of His people? When He has been very busy with revivals in ten thousand worlds, does He say to His angels, "Ah, angels, I am sorry I forgot to attend to that poor man in his trouble"? No, no! Our God never forgets. He is always a present help in time of trouble.I. THE LORD IS OUR PRESENT HELP WHEN WE ARE TRIED BY TEMPTATION. When Joseph was being tempted every day, the wife of his master may have said, "Nobody shall know"; but God was Joseph's present help in that continual temptation. "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" The fact of God's presence is the most powerful remedy against every temptation. II. THE LORD IS A PRESENT HELP WHEN WE ARE ENDURING TROUBLE. All God's people are tried. If we were not tried we should not be worth much in the battlefield of faith. Only tried veterans can be relied on in a difficult enterprise. "These are they who came out of great tribulation." If you are tried, be not disheartened; remember that God will be a present help to enable you to bear up in every trouble. It is God's will to try us, because it is the only way to make us meet for the grandeur of heaven. III. OUR GOD IS A PRESENT HELP WHEN WE ARE STRIVING TO ATTAIN A NOBLE LIFE. Notice the student working hard, long after the midnight hour has struck. See, be binds a wet cloth round his head to calm the fever of his brain; and the world says it is all right; yet when they see a man struggling to overcome bad passions and acquire virtue, they have but little sympathy; but God beholds all your weary battles, and encourages you with His presence. IV. OUR GOD IS OUR PRESENT HELP WHEN HE ASSURES US OF SALVATION. You may have heard of a ship which sailed off from a sinking vessel and left the crew and passengers to perish; but our God, in Christ, shall leave no sinner to perish in the ocean of iniquity, without making an effort to rescue him. Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You may reply, "Ah, but, sir, Christ would refuse me, because my soul is diseased." Some insurance societies might refuse your body, but Christ will never refuse any man's soul. A man who is in very bad health, and in despair about his life, goes to a physician and tells him all about his case. Having listened to all lie has to say, the doctor comes up to him with a cheerful face, saying, "Well, I can guarantee to cure you." Why, the man goes away almost better! Now, Christ says to every soul that is diseased with sin, "I can cure you." And He has cured myriads of such souls. (W. Birch.) People Korah, Ophir, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics 46, Alamoth, Cause, Celebrated, Chief, Forever, Generations, Korah, Memory, Mention, Musician, Nations, Peoples, Praise, Psalm, Remembered, Song, Sons, Thanks, ThroughoutOutline 1. The majesty and grace of Christ's kingdom10. The duty of the church, and the benefits thereof Dictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 45:17Library July 20. "Forget Also Thine Own" (Ps. Xlv. 10). "Forget also thine own" (Ps. xlv. 10). We, too, like the ancient Levites, must be "consecrated every one upon our son and upon our brother," and "forget our kindred and our father's house" in every sense in which they could hinder our full liberty and service for the Lord. We, too, must let our business go if it stands between us and the Lord, and in any case let it henceforth be His business and His alone, pursued for Him, controlled by Him, and its profits wholly dedicated to Him, and used as He … Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Portrait of the Bride The King in his Beauty The Gladness of the Man of Sorrows Of virtue On virtue --All virtues Given with God in this Degree of the Prayer of the Heart. Of the First Seal. The High Calling I Send Thee Not, Soul that Art Religiously Chaste... On the Opinion of Dionysius. Thy Name is as Oil Poured Forth; Therefore have the virgins Loved Thee. So Then the Father is Lord and the Son is Lord... Letter Lxv. To Principia. Christ is to be Loved Question of the Comparison Between the Active and the Contemplative Life For not Even Herein Ought Such as are Married to Compare Themselves with The... If, Therefore, You had not as yet Vowed unto God Widowed Continence... Introduction to Four Discourses against the Arians. My Beloved is White and Ruddy, the Chiefest among Ten Thousand. Christian Meekness King of Kings and Lord of Lords He is Lovely in his Person He is Lovely in his Relations. Of Rest in the Presence of God --Its Fruits --Inward Silence --God Commands it --Outward Silence. Links Psalm 45:17 NIVPsalm 45:17 NLT Psalm 45:17 ESV Psalm 45:17 NASB Psalm 45:17 KJV Psalm 45:17 Bible Apps Psalm 45:17 Parallel Psalm 45:17 Biblia Paralela Psalm 45:17 Chinese Bible Psalm 45:17 French Bible Psalm 45:17 German Bible Psalm 45:17 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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