This hallelujah, or song of praise, calls on heaven and earth and all things therein, to join in celebrating the glory of the Lord. And it challenges this praise from Israel, whose horn or majesty has been exalted, to whom “the first dominion,” as another Scripture expresses it, has now come. The Lord Himself, however, is above all this millennial earth and heaven, in His own proper glory. His name alone is excellent. (See Psa. 8.)
All this joy of heaven and earth is much spoken of. The times of restitution and refreshing are felt throughout—“the presence of the Lord” becomes the exhilarating atmosphere everywhere. John, in spirit, heard all creatures in heaven, in seas, on earth, and under the earth, uttering their praise in prospect of this (Rev. 5). But I would observe, that all this joy of creation the Apostle hangs upon “the manifestation of the sons of God” (Rom. 8), and the prophets, upon the redemption of Israel (Isa. 44:23; 49:13; 55:1223Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. (Isaiah 44:23)
13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. (Isaiah 49:13)
12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)). For these distinct testimonies are according to the several ministries of apostles and prophets. In one place our Psalmist shortly connects the two, touching the chord where their harmonies lie—“when the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory” (Psa. 102:1616When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. (Psalm 102:16)).
May we not, upon this, say, that often, among the saints, there is wanting one to do this happy office of “the sweet singer” in Israel, thus to strike the true unisons. For the voices are not discordant, save in the unattuned ear. There may be real oneness in the spirit of our minds, where there are divers judgments and thoughts “eating” and “not eating,” if both “to the Lord,” is real oneness, in the esteem of the Spirit of God, though in man’s judgment it may be discordance and separation (Rom. 14). But this only as we pass.
NOTE—The supremacy of “the Word” in the operations of what is called nature is declared, as in 2 Peter 3:5-75For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:5‑7). (See Psa. 147:15,18; 148:815He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. (Psalm 147:15)
18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. (Psalm 147:18)
8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling his word: (Psalm 148:8).)