Psalm 40:9-10

“I have preached righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.”

Some of the most important prophecies are introduced in such a way as clearly to show that their writers were overruled, as it were, by a divine impulse, to speak things which they themselves did not understand.

This was certainly the case with Caiaphas, who, being the High Priest, was moved by God to utter words, of the true import of which he had not the slightest conception, John 11:49-52.

I think it highly probable, also, that David in this Psalm had no just comprehension of the prophecy before us. The beginning of the Psalm and the end of it seem to belong to David only; but here is a passage which can have no reference to him, and can be interpreted of Christ alone. To him it is applied in the Epistle to the Hebrews; the writer of which, showing the utter inefficacy of the legal sacrifices to take away sin, refers to this Psalm in confirmation of his statement; and argues from it, that God in this very passage had declared his determination to “remove” the shadowy institutions of the law, and to “establish” that which was revealed in the Gospel, even “that one offering of Christ Jesus, whereby the whole world may be sanctified and saved, Hebrews 10:4-10.”

The words of my text stand in immediate connection with those cited by the Apostle; and they declare what Christ should do in his prophetic office; that as, in the capacity of our great High Priest, he should offer himself a sacrifice for our sins, so, in the capacity of a Prophet to his Church, he should “preach righteousness and salvation” to the whole world.

I. This passage is fulfilled in the ministry of Christ himself.

Our blessed Lord did not, indeed, open the truths of the Gospel so fully as his Apostles did after his resurrection; for, until after his death and resurrection, the people were not prepared to receive a full communication of all which he was commissioned to reveal. He told his hearers, that “he had many things to say unto them; but that they could not bear them then, John 16:12.” Yet did he so far unfold the mystery of godliness to his hearers, that all future revelations of it should evidently appear to be only a continuation and enlargement of the same divine testimony.

1. Jesus traced salvation to its source—the love of God the Father, John 3:16.

2. Jesus referred to his own sufferings as the means whereby it was to be accomplished, Matthew 20:28; Matthew 26:26-28.

3. Jesus displayed it in all its glorious effects—the glory of God, and the salvation of man, John 12:28; John 12:32. He opened it fully, under the images of the bread of life, John 6:35; John 6:47-51; John 4:13-14, as also under other images, John 11:25-26; John 14:6.

Nor could any consideration whatever induce him to conceal within his own bosom any one truth which he was commissioned to declare.

He could appeal to the heart-searching God, “I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, you know.” In every part of his ministry “he witnessed a good confession, 1 Timothy 6:13;” and, at the close of it, gave the most explicit directions relative to the truths that should be proclaimed by all the ministers of his Word, Luke 24:46-47.

II. This passage is fulfilled yet further in the ministry of all his faithful servants.

The apostle Peter unfolded this great salvation both to Jews, Acts 2:36; Acts 3:16; Acts 3:19; Acts 4:10-12; Acts 5:30-31; Acts 13:38-39. and Gentiles Acts 10:43. Paul determined to know nothing among his people, “except Jesus Christ and him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:2.”

And we also can appeal to God that we, according to our ability, have followed his steps, “not shunning to declare unto you all the counsel of God, Acts 20:27.

Let me then inquire,

1. What do you know of gospel salvation?

It is surprising how ignorant of this great salvation many are, even after it has been preached to them faithfully for many years. But the truth is, men do not meditate on what they hear, or pray to God to impress it on their minds by his Holy Spirit; and hence, the word, like seed sown by the way-side, is taken away from their hearts, and either never springs up at all, or springs only to wither immediately for lack of either root or moisture. But, my dear brethren, you must give account to God of all that you hear, as I also must of all that I preach; and I pray God, that I may so speak, and you hear, that we may “give up our account together, with joy, and not with grief”.

2. What effect has gospel salvation produced upon you?

The use of the Gospel is to bring us unto Christ, and to assimilate us to his divine image. If, then, we receive it aright, we shall be able to say with Christ, “I delight to do your will, O my God; yes, your Law is within my heart, verse 8.” And, as Christ did not hide God’s righteousness within his heart, but proclaimed it boldly “to the great congregation,” so must you, brethren, before the whole world be ready to confess Christ, and to follow him faithfully, even unto death. You must not only “cleave to him with full purpose of heart, Acts 11:23,” but must “glory in his cross, and by means of it be crucified unto the world, and have the world crucified unto you! Galatians 6:14.”

Let me then ask, Is it thus with your souls? Oh, “let there be in you the mind that was in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5.” So shall you partake with him in all the glory and felicity which the Father has conferred upon him Philippians 2:9, and which he also is empowered to bestow on all his faithful followers, Luke 22:29. Revelation 3:21.

Charles Simeon