Psalm 22:25

EXPOSITION

Verse 25. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation. The one subject of our Master's song is the Lord alone. The Lord and the Lord only is the theme which the believer handleth when he gives himself to imitate Jesus in praise. The word in the original is "from thee", -- true praise is of celestial origin. The rarest harmonies of music are nothing unless they are sincerely consecrated to God by hearts sanctified by the Spirit. The clerk says, "Let us sing to the praise and glory of God;" but the choir often sing to the praise and glory of themselves. Oh when shall our service of song be a pure offering? Observe in this verse how Jesus loves the public praises of the saints, and thinks with pleasure of the great congregation. It would be wicked on our part to despise the twos and threes; but, on the other hand, let not the little companies snarl at the greater assemblies as though they were necessarily less pure and less approved, for Jesus loves the praise of the great congregation.

I will pay my vows before them that fear him. Jesus dedicates himself anew to the carrying out of the divine purpose in fulfilment of his vows made in anguish. Did our Lord when he ascended to the skies proclaim amid the redeemed in glory the goodness of Jehovah? And was that the vow here meant? Undoubtedly the publication of the gospel is the constant fulfilment of covenant engagements made by our Surety in the councils of eternity. Messiah vowed to build up a spiritual temple for the Lord, and he will surely keep his word.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 25. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation etc. The joy and gratitude of our adorable Lord rise to such a height at this great deliverance, his heart so overflows with fresh and blessed consciousness of his heavenly Father's nearness, that he again pours forth the expression of his praise. By its repetition, he teaches us that this is not a temporary burst of gratitude, but an abiding determination, a full and settled resolution. John Stevenson.

Verse 25. In the great congregation. Saints are fittest witnesses of sacred duties. That which, in Psalms 116:14 , is implied under this particle of restraint, "his," in "the presence of all his people", is in Psalms 22:25 , more expressly noted by a more apparent description, thus: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. None but true saints do truly fear God.

1. This property of God's people, that they fear the Lord, showeth that they will make the best use of such sacred, solemn duties performed in their presence. They will glorify God for this your zeal; they will join their spirits with your spirit in this open performance of duty; they will become followers of you, and learn of you to vow and pay unto the Lord, and that openly, publicly.
2. As for others, they are no better than such hogs and dogs as are not meet to have such precious pearls and holy things cast before them, lest they trample them under their feet. William Gouge.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 25. Public praise.

1. A delightful exercise -- praise.
2. A personal participation -- My praise.
3. A fitting object -- of thee.
4. A special source -- from thee.
5. An appropriate place -- in the great congregation.

Verse 25. (second clause). Vows. What vows to make, when and how to make them, and the importance of paying them.