Glad to go to the house of the Lord.
The feeling expressed here is noteworthy, to say the least of it; for—
I. SUCH GLADNESS IS RARE. The proof of that is seen in the multitudes that never go at all. And of those who do, how many go as seldom as possible!—an hour and a half a week is considered ample for church-going. And of those who are more regular and frequent, can it be said that they are glad to go? Is it not the sense of duty, the necessity of upholding a religious reputation, desire to please friends, force of habit, wish to set good example, fear of a condemning conscience, or some other motive such as these? But how seldom is there much gladness about it, except when it is all over! What a contrast to the exuberant delight which is evident throughout this psalm! We often sing it, but how often do we mean it?
II. BUT RIGHT. Ought we not to be "glad when," etc.? Surely yes. For:
1. It is "Divine service." But how should we like s child of ours to grudge rendering us service, to get out of it whenever he could, and, when he could not, to render it in as half-hearted a way as possible? But this is just how we treat God in this service which he enjoins upon us.
2. And it is God's chosen place of meeting with us. Ought we to be loath to meet him, or to avoid such meeting whenever we can find any sort of excuse to do so? We do not so deal with earthly parents or benefactors.
3. And it is tire place where he blesses those who come. Mere gratitude should make us glad to "go into the house," etc.
III. AND MOST REASONABLE. What led the psalmist to thus feel and speak? He does so oftentimes.
1. The remembrance of the revelations of God he had received there. (Cf. Psalms 63:3, "To see thy power and thy glory, so as," etc.) His soul had been filled with holy rapture and joy in God.
2. The confident expectation of similar blessing. He went desiring God, which is ever the condition of blessing from God.
3. His whole spiritual life had been so quickened and strengthened there. There the chains of sin had fallen off, the burden of guilt removed, the sorrows of his life soothed, and he had been filled with the Spirit of God.
4. The worship itself was beautiful, and the throng of worshippers, and all the associations and memories of the place, enhanced the joy of worship.
5. And like reasons are in force still. The age, place, forms, are all different; but the spiritual realities which the psalmist knew, the true worshipper knows still. He too has met with God, and God with him, as the holy Word has been preached, the fervent prayer offered, the hymn of praise sung, and the holy bread and wine of the Communion partaken of. Often and often has it been the ante-chamber of heaven.
IV. AND RESULTFUL. They who are glad to join in worship, to whom it is a real delight, are a very favored people. And the results of their worship will be many.
1. For themselves. It is a witness of the reality of their faith and love and acceptance with God. It is full of inspiration; such glad worship will not evaporate in mere feeling, but will become embodied in holy word and deed and life. It gives them heaven before they get there, and it is a mighty means, through the Holy Spirit, of their sanctification.
2. For the Church: they are the conservators and the promoters of its best life.
3. For the world: they are witnesses for the love of God and the joy of his service.
4. For God: he is glorified in them.—S.C.