Psalm 97:2

“Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne!”

The reign of Christ is here spoken of, as a ground of joy to the whole world, “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad.” That Christ is the person to whom the Psalm refers, we are assured on infallible authority; for, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, we are told that the injunction, “Let all God’s angels worship him!” was given by the Father in reference to him, “When He (the Father) brings in the First-begotten into the world, he says, And let all the angels of God worship him. Compare verse 7 with Hebrews 1:6.”

As to the particular advent of our Lord, I conceive that, in the Psalm before us, the period alluded to is that in which our Lord came to conduct the Hebrew nation through the wilderness to the Promised Land. “He came down with thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud,” in exact accordance with the description given of him in this Psalm. Compare verses 2-5 with Exodus 19:11; Exodus 19:16.

At the precise period of his incarnation there were no such signs; though at his death and resurrection, which may properly be included in that period, there were similar demonstrations of his Divine Majesty; and at his future advent we are assured he will “come in power and great glory,” such as that with which he was attended at the time of his ascension to the right hand of God, Acts 1:11 with Luke 21:27. But it is not to any one of these periods that I shall confine my attention; because the language of my text is general, and may well be considered as referring to all periods and to all events; for there is no one part of the divine government to which it may not be well applied, every act of it being involved in impenetrable obscurity—yet founded in wisdom, and goodness, and truth, and equity.

In unfolding, then, the truth contained in my text, I will endeavor to illustrate it:

I. Inscrutable depths will be found in the dispensations of God’s providence.

Survey the state of the whole world since the fall of man.

See the state in which every child is born into the world; how “shaped in iniquity,” how altogether unlike to man in his original creation, Psalm 51:5. Ephesians 2:3. See also, as they grow up to maturity and put forth their powers, what wickedness they commit, and what misery they spread around them—none being a greater enemy to man than man himself!

Behold the brute creation; these, though incapable of sin, feel bitterly its penal consequences; and show, beyond a possibility of doubt, that they inherit qualities which they did not originally possess; being hostile to each other, and in many instances the common enemies of man.

The very earth itself also partakes of the curse due to sin; and all the elements are armed against the human race, to inflict on them, as God shall appoint, the destruction they have merited.

I ask then: Are not “clouds and thick darkness round about that God by whose ordinance these things exist? Can anyone give a satisfactory explanation of them all, or even of any one of them? Yet we are sure that “righteousness and judgment are the habitation (the basis) of them all.” For whether we understand his ways or not, “his work is perfect, and all his ways are judgment; a God of truth, and without iniquity; just and right is he, Deuteronomy 32:4.”

Mark also his dealings with individual men.

What an amazing disparity do we find among men!

Some are endued with great mental powers; while others, from their very birth, through a lack of intellectual capacity, are in a state more helpless and degraded than the beasts themselves.

Some possess all the comforts of health; and others protracting a miserable existence, from which, at any moment, death would be a merciful relief!

Some are destitute of the most common necessities of life; while others revel in every species of luxurious abundance!

To what can we trace this vast diversity for, if we attempt to account for it on the common principles of equity, what shall we say? Surely “clouds and darkness are round about it” all; and faith is left to supply the deficiencies of reason. We know that God cannot err, and that “all his ways are both mercy and truth.” His “way, indeed, is in the sea, and his footsteps are not known, Psalm 77:19; but “his righteousness is like the great mountains, though his judgments are a great deep, Psalm 36:6.”

II. Inscrutable depths are also found in the method of God’s grace in salvation.

Here the difficulties are greater still. Consider,

1. The revelation itself.

What a mystery is here! The substitution of God’s coequal, co-eternal Son, in the place of his own sinful and rebellious creatures!” The Holy and the Just One , in the place of the unholy and unjust! 1 Peter 3:18. Or rather, if I might venture to use such an expression, I would almost say, The death of the incarnate God—in the place and for the sake of incarnate devils! You remember what our blessed Lord himself said, even to those who called themselves the Lord’s people, “You are of your father the devil; and the lusts of your father you will do! John 8:44.” Yet for such did Jesus die, even for the chief of sinners. Tell me, Are there not “clouds and darkness” here? Yet I hesitate not to say, that “righteousness” pervades it all; and “judgment,” such as shall finally approve itself to the whole intelligent creation, is the basis of it.

In fact, it is this which, above all other things in the whole universe, displays the righteousness of God, who, by exacting such a sacrifice, then most of all shows himself just, when he justifies those who believe in his dear Son! Romans 3:25-26.

2. The objects selected to enjoy its benefits.

The great mass of mankind, from the Deluge to the time of Abraham, were left in darkness, insomuch that the knowledge of the true God had nearly vanished from the earth. And then was God pleased to fix on Abraham, an idolater in the midst of an idolatrous family and nation, and to reveal his covenant to him. To Isaac also, in preference to Ishmael his elder child; and to Jacob also, in preference to Esau—was it given to be comprehended in this covenant; yes, given while both of them were yet in the womb, and consequently before they had done either good or evil. Let anyone explain this, or account for it in any other way than that suggested by our Lord, “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight!”

God’s sovereignty in salvation is apparent throughout history, and in our times as well, in choosing the poor, the weak, the vile—in preference, for the most part, to the rich, the great, the moral. For it is found, in ten thousand instances, that “publicans and harlots enter into the kingdom before the subtle and self-righteous Pharisees.” The man who sees no mystery here, only betrays his own ignorance and stupidity. A man with ever so contracted a view of this subject, must of necessity exclaim, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33.”

3. The trials to which the elect are subjected, in their way to Heaven.

One would suppose that God’s chosen people should be freed from:
the persecutions of men,
the assaults of devils,
the temptations of sin, and
from all which might endanger their salvation;
but God sees fit to give both to men and devils a kind of licence to assault his redeemed people; as it is said, “You wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places! Ephesians 6:12.”

One would suppose that those whom he has redeemed with the blood of his only dear Son, should be free from these things; but, on the contrary, he says, “If you are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not sons.”

One would suppose at least, that from their conversion to God they should be freed from the corruptions of their nature and the power of the evil principle within them.

But far different are his dealings with his redeemed people; and through much tribulation he brings every one of them to glory.

In all these things he is “both wise and good;” and, however intricate or circuitous the way may be whereby he leads his people to glory, it will be found at last to have been “the right way! Psalm 107:7;” the right way for their benefit, and the right way also for the honor of his own great name.

III. Let us yet further contemplate the inscrutableness of God’s ways, in the final outcome of all things.

How tremendous will be the difference between the states of different men!

View Heaven and all its glory, and Hell with all its misery; and consider that both the one and the other will be eternal; and then consider how short the period of time is in which any man is preparing for the one or the other of these states; and how small the distance between their real characters, if estimated by the common standard of the world. Above all, contemplate the rich youth, who thought he had fulfilled the whole Law from his earliest youth, cast out; and the dying thief, who spent his whole life, even to his last hour in sin, exalted to glory!

Is there nothing mysterious in this?

Truly, we must acknowledge that these things are utterly pass all human comprehension. We are sure that “the Judge of all will do right,” and that the day of judgment is especially appointed “for the revelation of the righteous judgment of God! Romans 2:5;” but we must wait until he shall be pleased to throw the true light upon his own mysterious ways, and to take the veil from our hearts, that we may be able to comprehend them.

Surely from this subject we may learn:

1. Submission.

Your trials, I will suppose, are great. But are they greater than your desert of punishment? Or do you know all the gracious designs which God has to accomplish by them? “Be still, then, and know that he is God;” and, under the most grievous affliction that can come upon you, learn to say, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”

2. Gratitude.

Look back upon the ways of God; and, however you may have been disposed at the time to say, “All these things are against me!” say whether you have not found that he has brought good out of evil, and given you reason to acknowledge, that his judgments were mercies in disguise? Were you left to yourselves, you would choose nothing but what should be pleasing to flesh and blood; but God consults your best interests, and deals with you, not according to your wishes, but according to your necessities.

Be thankful then to him, for having acted towards you as a wise and loving parent, who has withheld nothing that was good for you; and if at any time he has inflicted chastisement upon you, he “has done it for your profit, that you might be partaken of his holiness,” and be rendered fit for his glory.

3. Trust.

You know not what is before you; but you know that you are in God’s hands, and that “not a hair can fall from your head” but by his special appointment. Look then to him, to order everything for you; and if you understand not his dealings with you, be content to say, ‘What I know not now, I shall know hereafter.’ Never for a moment doubt his power or grace. He has promised to “make all things work together for your good;” and therefore, under the darkest dispensation, assure yourselves that “He is doing all things well;” and determine, through grace, to say with Job, “Though he slays me—yet will I trust in him!”

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33

Charles Simeon