Lord’s Day, Vol. 8 No. 28

My Meditation of Him

Psalm 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

The psalmist testifies how sweet it was for him to think upon the Lord, his God. He emphasizes the sweetness of his time of communion with his Lord. Each time it brings rejoicing to his heart. In a troubled world, the psalmist finds comfort and solace for his soul with his Lord. He experienced God’s meticulous care for him. 

(1) Sweetness

Spending time with the Lord brings sweetness to his soul. The Lord blesses his heart by His presence – Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeterthan honey to my mouth!It is pleasant to the soul like honey to the taste buds. It refreshes and rejuvenates and revitalizes. 

The effect of meditating upon God’s Word, His perfect Word, brings health and strength to his soul – Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. The “honeycomb” speaks of an overflow of honey. It is sweet to the rejoicing of his heart. The sweetness comes with communion – through prayer and staying upon the Word. 

This was Moses’ departing advice to Joshua – Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua’s life was a testimony to this sweetness. 

Meditating upon God’s Word helps us to understand the plan of God for our lives and enables us to know it and grants us the strength to live it. This is the sweetness of life with God. The soul that is stayed upon the Lord, rejecting all other counsel, flourishes – Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight isin the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The psalmist expresses that sweetness when he extol his God as Source and Sustainer of life that He brings forth –  Psalm 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty… 14-15 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and 

herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine thatmaketh glad the heart of man, andoil to make hisface to shine, and bread whichstrengtheneth man’s heart.

When a man acknowledges his Creator, the Giver  of life and is grateful for the care he receives, there is a restful sweetness that comes to the soul. It is sweet and not bitter. There is no distaste to life with God. Indeed, the glory of the Lord shall endure forever: the Lord rejoices in His works (v31). He has taken upon Himself to care for our well-being and we are exhorted to stay upon Him – Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep himin perfect peace, whosemind isstayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

(2) Gladness

… I will be glad in the LORD.

Spurgeon observed well, “To the meditative mind every thought of God is full of joy.” He also expresses well in poetry this gladness for our encouragement.

Lord, I forgo all anxious thought,

 And cast on thee my care;

Content that thou art over all,

 And rulest everywhere.

Teach me to listen to thy voice

 When the storm howleth loud;

Help me to look for light from thee,

 Beneath the darkest cloud.

Thy face I seek with earnest prayer,

 For thou art all my stay,

Now let thy mighty arm appear

 And drive my griefs away.

At thy rebuke, O Jacob’s God,

 Both horse and chariot fell;

Who knows the terrors of thy rod?

 Thy vengenance who can tell?

What power can stand before thy sight,

 When once thy wrath appears?

When heaven shines round with dreadful light,

The earth lies still and fears.

Happy the church, thou sacred place,

The seat of thy Creator’s grace;

Thine holy courts are his abode,

Thou earthly palace of our God!

Thy walls are strength, and at thy gates

A guard of heavenly warriors waits;

Nor shall thy deep foundations move

Fix’d on his counsels and his love.

Thy foes in vain designs engage,

Against his throne in vain they rage;

Like rising waves, with angry roar,

That dash and die upon the shore.

Then let our souls in Zion dwell,

Nor fear the wrath of Rome nor hell;

His arms embrace this happy ground,

Like brazen bulwarks built around.

The personal pronoun “I” is emphasized. This gladness is to be personally experienced and the psalmist is expressing his rejoicing in the Lord who was there for him at every turn of life. He received guidance, wisdom, courage, faith, strength and out of it all – gladness. Indeed, God is with us by His indwelling Spirit and ministers joy to our hearts as we rely upon Him through every battle of life – for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in Him(1 Chronicles 5:20b).

Life with God is both sweet and happy – Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Amen.

Yours loving,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee