Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons Psalm 45:1-17 My heart is gushing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.… I. A PREFACE OR INTRODUCTION TO WHAT FOLLOWS. 1. The subject. "A good matter; things touching the King." Christ is the king. The things that concern Christ as a King are, the dignity of His person, the wisdom and equity of His government, the extent of His dominions, the happiness of His subjects, and the perpetuity of His reign. This is "good matter." It is illustrative of the character of Him who is essential goodness. The nearer we approximate towards a perfection of goodness, the more this "good matter" will occupy our attention. 2. A source whence it proceeded. "My heart is inditing," boiling or bubbling up, in allusion to water put in motion by the action of fire, or bubbling up from a spring. How the love of Christ will constrain us to speak of Him. 3. A manner of expression. "My tongue is the pen," etc. Many imitate the psalmist in the fluency of their speech; they talk rapidly, but alas! they talk wickedly. Others converse freely and piously; but incoherently, enthusiastically, and erroneously. Let us always think before we speak; and let our words be seasoned with grace that we may minister grace to the hearers. II. A DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTER. "Thou art fairer," etc. 1. In His person. There is moral as well as physical beauty. How holy was Christ's soul! What wisdom, love, patience, humility did He possess. 2. In His address. He not only possessed a plenitude of grace for His own support in the arduous work in which He was engaged, but that He might instruct add console others. 3. By the commendation of Jehovah. God hath "blessed," i.e. extolled His Son in the ascriptions of Divine titles, honours and perfections to Him. III. A PETITION ADDRESSED TO THE MESSIAH. 1. The cause He maintains. Not to dethrone monarchs, but to subdue vices. (1) Truth in opposition to error, shadow, prophecy. Christ accomplished and fulfilled all righteousness. (2) Meekness. Worldly warfare is the child of wrath; and fury and malevolence are its inseparable companions. But nothing could surpass the meekness and gentleness of Christ; and His disciples were to be formed on the same plan: "Learn of me" (Matthew 11:29). (3) Righteousness. He Himself is the Lord of righteousness; and His laws, requirements, people and kingdom are all righteous. 2. The manner how the psalmist expected the Messiah to achieve His victories. "Gird thy sword," etc. This is the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, the Gospel of our salvation (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16). The power of the Gospel surpasses all description (Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:5). 3. The interest which the psalmist took in the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. He prays, "Gird thy sword," etc. (Psalm 90:16, 17; Psalm 118:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). The same spirit pervades all Christians. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.} My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. |
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