xxvi. 1-2. _In that day shall this song be sung, &c._
There are days in the history of God's people when they specially
need His interposing power. This is their prayer (Ps. xxx. 10). This
their glad confession (Ps. xc. 17). As such seasons of direct
deliverance the natural expression of the heart is one of gladness.
If the poetic faculty be strong within them, as in the case of the
king of Israel, they sing in lyric splendour, as in Psalm xviii.
1. _That historic period referred to by the prophet Isaiah in this
chapter was such a day._ They had been marvellously protected from
the invading Assyrian. His host had been smitten as by the blast of
the Lord. When from the city walls they saw the thin relics of that
grand army hasten away, then would this song of salvation be echoed
through the city. When under the imperial protection of Cyrus the
exiles returned to their own land, that was another day of
deliverance. They rebuilt the temple and renewed the temple service.
Then they sang in their own land, the land of Judah, the songs of
Zion.
2. _But the first great event in their history,_ the birthday of
their nation, their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, was specially
memorable as "that day." And in every subsequent national deliverance
from the times of the Judges, all through the splendid leadership of
David and the heroic days of the Maccabean brothers, that first
deliverance seemed to be renewed, and the old song from the Red Sea
shore was again chanted (Ex. xv. 6).
3. _In the infant days of the Primitive Church,_ meeting then in the
upper room in Jerusalem, when its two leaders, Peter and John, were
seized and confronted with "their rulers, and elders, and scribes,"
and sternly threatened "not to speak at all or teach in the name of
Jesus." That was a day of deliverance. Then was seen how gloriously
transformed were these two Galilean fishermen under the inspiration
of the Kingdom of Christ, how sublimely fit they were to lead the
forlorn hope of the Church through the breach of Judaism and
heathenism on to the conquest of the world. See Acts iv. 19, 20, 23,
24. How deeply and rapturously impressed was that little church with
the conviction that the power of Him who had made heaven and earth
was then resting on their own chiefs, and making them bold to speak
_"His name."_ They shook the very walls of the room with the volume
of their song: "We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for
walls and bulwarks."
4. Another day of deliverance came to the early Church, _when the cry
of the primitive martyrs was heard_ (Rev. vi. 9, 10). That "little
season" soon passed, and their cry was answered; rest came to the
martyred Church. No more holy men were thrown to the lions, no more
delicate women thrust into caldrons of boiling pitch; the sword slept
in its scabbard, and crucifixions were ended. Then the churches had
rest, and this hymn was joyously sung. Since those early centuries,
God's Church has passed through many a fiery furnace, and has come
out all the purer and all the stronger. And many a song of
deliverance has floated up to heaven.
5. This season of gladness has been realised by God's people
individually. (1.) _When a consciousness of the forgiveness of sins
has come._ When in the temple of the soul this voice has been heard:
"Thy sins are forgiven thee; go in peace." (2.) _When the child of
God has been delivered from some dark calamity, so threatening that
no human help could deliver._ (3.) _But the grandest deliverance is
the final one._ The best wine is kept for the last cup. When the
death-river is crossed, and the crystal gates respond to the command,
"Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth
may enter in." Then when this corruption has put on incorruption, and
this mortal has put on immortality, when standing within that city
where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest, will
the redeemed of the Lord shout this song as never before: "We have a
strong city, salvation will God appoint for walls and
bulwarks."--_William Parkes._