J. B. Duff.
Praise ye the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! Praise Him who left the heights of glory, and descended to the lowest depths that He might redeem us and have us for His own peculiar treasure. Jesus is His name. He created all things: He upholds all things: He shall inherit all things. Selah! He came into this world, took upon Himself the form of a servant, perfect in His obedience and love. These were put to the full test, but shone out in all their brilliancy, at Calvary. He was meek and lowly in heart. His pathway, in every detail, was a delight to God. His Father. He showed compassion to the wretched: He relieved the afflicted: He comforted the broken-hearted, Selah! He was filled with zeal for the glory of God. He rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees: He exposed their hypocrisy: He pronounced "Woe" upon their unbelief. He was misunderstood; despised and rejected; hated and unwanted. Yet He cherished no hard feelings towards His enemies: He did not resist, nor retaliate. As He hung in pain upon the Cross, hearing and feeling keenly the bitter mockery and cruel taunts of His enemies, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Selah! He loved His own which were in the world, and He loved them to the end. There was much about them that grieved Him — their pride and uncharitable spirit — but He loved them. Peter, at the last, denied Him; all His disciples forsook Him, but He loved them. He bore all things: He believed all things: He hoped all things: He laid down His life for them. He was buried, but He arose in mighty triumph on the third day, having overthrown principalities and powers and completely smashed the power of the Devil. Selah! In resurrection His love to His own was just the same. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, and dried her falling tears. He had an interview with Peter, who had so grievously denied Him. He drew near to the two disciples who had lost hope; walked and talked with them on the way to Emmaus, and made their heart to burn within them. The Good Shepherd, who had laid down His life for the sheep, was now, in risen life, the Great Shepherd seeking His wandering sheep, and gathering them together. When they were assembled in the upper room at Jerusalem, He appeared in their midst, and shewed them the marks of His suffering love, and their hearts found peace and joy in His presence. Selah! Now, ascended and glorified, His love is still the same, and soon He is coming to receive us to Himself, when it shall be ours for ever and ever to enjoy to the full that love "which passeth knowledge." Praise the Lord, O my soul! Praise ye the Lord!