xii. 6. _Cry out and shout, &c._
Two things are here observable:--1. _The person addressed,_ "thou
inhabitant of Zion,"[1] _i.e.,_ one who is no longer a stranger and
foreigner, but a fellow-citizen with the saints (Eph. ii. 12, 19)
2. _The admonition given,_ "Cry out and shout." Consider--
I. THE TRUTH ON WHICH THE ADMONITION IS FOUNDED. "Great is the Holy
One of Israel in the midst of thee." This includes--1. _His
character,_ "the Holy One of Israel." The holiness of God has shown
forth in all that He has done in heaven and on earth (Ps. cxlv. 17);
in heaven it is the theme of the songs of the most exalted
intelligences (Isa. vi. 3); on earth it inspires bad men with dread
and dislike (Isa. xxx. 11), and good men with thankfulness and hope
(Ps. xxx. 4; Heb. xii. 10; H. E. I., 2275, 2843). 2. _His greatness._
"Great"--in duration, wisdom, power, dominion, and resources. All
these render Him terrible as an enemy, desirable as a friend.[2]
3. _His residence._ "In the midst of thee." But is not God
everywhere? Yes, but not everywhere in the same character; not in
heaven as in earth, &c. Wherever His presence is spoken of in a way
of promise or privilege, it is to be distinguished from His attribute
of omnipresence, for it has then in it something peculiarly
beneficial and saving (Deut. iv. 7; Ps. xxxiv. 18). God's presence in
the midst of His people is the guarantee of their safety and the
source of their joy. Let them adore the condescension He shows in
dwelling in their midst.
II. THE STIRRING EXHORTATION. 1. _Religion is animated._ "Cry out and
shout," &c. What is here required cannot be merely the exclamation,
separate from suitable dispositions and sentiments, as is the case
with some. Noise is in itself worth nothing. On the other hand, where
there are these feelings, it is permissible, yea, praiseworthy, to
give free and exultant expression to them (Rev. v. 12). Some
disparage such expressions as enthusiasm, but there is nothing that
should call forth enthusiasm like the Gospel. Religion calls for not
only feeling and sentiment, but for the highest degree of feeling and
sentiment.[3] 2. _Religion, rational as well as animated._ Why is the
inhabitant of Zion to cry aloud and shout? _"For_ great is the Holy
One of Israel in the midst of thee." This more than justified him,
for from hence the Church can infer _safety, assistance, consolation,
honour._ Thus God is with His people, and this is _grace:_ soon they
shall be with Him, and that is _glory._--_William Jay: Sunday Evening
Sermons and Thursday Evening Lectures,_ pp. 297-305.