_The majesty, power, and holiness of Christ’s kingdom._
The LORD reigneth; he is clothed with majesty: the LORD is clothed
with strength, _wherewith_ he hath girded himself: the world also is
established, that it cannot be moved.
Thy throne _is_ established of old: thou _art_ from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their
voice; the floods lift up their waves.
The LORD on high _is_ mightier than the noise of many waters, _yea,
than_ the mighty waves of the sea.
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD,
for ever.
This is a prophecy concerning the spread of the kingdom of Christ, as
far and wide as the earth is extended, and its establishment for ever.
But against this kingdom, as the Psalmist saith, the “waves” and
“mighty waters” will swell and lift up themselves; that is, the
kingdoms and peoples of the world will roar against the Lord and
against his Anointed; and will rage against the godly with sword and
fire; but they shall not prevail: for, as Daniel saith, “this kingdom
shall break in pieces all other kingdoms beneath it, and shall stand
for ever.”—Daniel ii. 44.
But thy kingdom shall be established in no other way than by the word
of the gospel. It shall not stand by the force of arms, nor by
external pomp, or glory, before the world; but it shall be husbanded,
and shall be increased and adorned, by the ministry of the word of the
gospel. This is the “holiness,” (namely the ministry of the word) that
shall “become,” or “adorn,” the house of the Lord. For this true and
high worship of God which is in the kingdom of Christ, takes the place
of all sacrifices and of all oblations, candlesticks, and the like;
and the preaching of the word, and the giving of thanks, are instead
of all external representations of mercy: hence Paul saith, that the
Old Testament is done away by this New Testament worship.