The Treasury of David
by C.H. Spurgeon

EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS
(Psalms 118 Verse 28)

EXPOSITION

Now comes the closing song of the champion, and of each one of his admirers.

Verse 28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee, my mighty God who hath done this mighty and marvellous thing. Thou shalt be mine, and all the praise my soul is capable of shall be poured forth at thy feet.

Thou art my God, I will exalt thee. Thou hast exalted me, and as far as my praises can do it, I will exalt thy name. Jesus is magnified, and he magnifies the Father according to his prayer, "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." God hath given us grace and promised us glory, and we are constrained to ascribe all grace to him, and all the glory of it also. The repetition indicates a double determination, and sets forth the firmness of the resolution, the heartiness of the affection, the intensity of the gratitude. Our Lord Jesus himself saith, "I will praise thee"; and well may each one of us, humbly and with confidence in divine grace, add, on his own account, the same declaration, "I will praise thee." However others may blaspheme thee, I will exalt thee; however dull and cold I may sometimes feel myself, yet will I rouse up my nature, and determine that as long as I have any being that being shall be spent to thy praise. For ever thou art my God, and for ever I will give thee thanks.

 

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 28. God. The original for "God" gives force to this passage: Them art my "El" - - The Mighty One; therefore will I praise thee: my "Eloah" -- a varied form with substantially the same sense, "and I will extol thee" -- lift thee high in glory and honour. Henry Cowles.

Verse 28. This "extolling the Lord" will accomplish one of the great ends of praise, viz., his exaltation. It is true that God both can and will exalt himself, but it is at once the duty and the privilege of his people to exalt him. His name should be borne up and magnified by them; the glory of that name is now, as it were, committed to them: what use are we making of the opportunity and the privilege? Philip Bennet Power.

 

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 28. --

  1. The gladdest fact in all the world: "Thou art my God."
  2. The fittest spirit in which to enjoy it: "Praise thee"

Verse 28. --

  1. The effect of Christ being sacrificed for us: "Thou art my God."
  2. The effect of our being offered as an acceptable sacrifice to him: "I will praise thee, I will exalt thee." Or,

    1. The covenant blessing: "Thou art my God."

(b) The covenant obligation: "I will praise thee." --G.R.



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