PraiseHe hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God — Psa. 40:3.
The filling of the Spirit of the Lord leads to songs and rejoicings, not only with the lips, but with the heart—refreshing, comforting and uplifting not only the "singer" but also the hearer. It is this "new song" in the heart that constitutes the Christian a separate and distinct being from all others about. Because it is in the heart, therefore, it must be in the mouth also, and must influence all the affairs of life; for we cannot but speak the things which have so wonderfully uplifted and refreshed our souls—Z '02, 75 (R 2966). The new song is the Song of Moses and the Lamb, the harmony of the Scriptures as seen in the Divine Plan of the Ages. This Plan proceeded from God's character; is in harmony with His character; is a manifestation of His character; is carried forward by His character; reflects credit upon His character; produces in the faithful and obedient His character; and will ultimately vindicate the perfection of His character. The speaker in this text is the Christ, whose mouth consists of those who express His thoughts. To these the Lord's secret is given. They tell it forth harmoniously with itself, with Scripture passages and teachings, with God's character and Christ's Ransom, with facts and with the designs of the Lord's Word. As the picture of a song suggests, they do it joyously. While "singing" it to all who will listen, they especially "sing" it to all who have an ear for its melodious notes—P '33, 163. Parallel passages: Ex. 15:1-21; Judg. 5; 1 Sam. 2:1-10; 2 Sam. 22; Luke 1:46-55, 67-79; Psa. 8; 9; 18; 19; 24; 29; 30; 33; 40; 47; 50; 65; 66; 75; 76; 77; 92; 93; 95; 96; 97; 98; 99; 104; 111; 113; 115; 116; 117; 118; 134; 139; 147; 148; 150. Hymns: 11, 45, 46, 235, 237, 238, 283. Poems of Dawn, 223: My Beautiful Secret. Tower Reading: Z '92, 143 (R 1402). Questions: Has this been a week of praise? Why? How? Under what circumstances? With what results? |
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MY BEAUTIFUL SECRET
I HAVE learned a beautiful secret,
I know not how nor where—
But I know it is sweet and precious,
And true, and glad, and fair;
And that God in heaven reveals it
To all that have ears to hear.
And I know that ere I learned it,
My way was weary and hard;
And somewhere in life's music
There was always that which jarred—
A hidden and dreary discord,
That all its sweetness marred.
But my harp of life was lifted
By One who knew the range
Of its many strings—for He made it,
And He struck a keynote strange;
And beneath the touch of the Master
I heard the music change.
No longer it failed and faltered;
No longer sobbed and strove;
But it seemed to soar and mingle
With the song of heaven above;
For the pierced hand of the Master
Had struck the keynote—Love.
Thy heart's long-prisoned music
Let the Master's hand set free!
Let Him whisper His beautiful secret
To thee, as He hath to me:
"My Love is the Golden Keynote
Of all My will for thee."
I HAVE learned a beautiful secret,
I know not how nor where—
But I know it is sweet and precious,
And true, and glad, and fair;
And that God in heaven reveals it
To all that have ears to hear.
And I know that ere I learned it,
My way was weary and hard;
And somewhere in life's music
There was always that which jarred—
A hidden and dreary discord,
That all its sweetness marred.
But my harp of life was lifted
By One who knew the range
Of its many strings—for He made it,
And He struck a keynote strange;
And beneath the touch of the Master
I heard the music change.
No longer it failed and faltered;
No longer sobbed and strove;
But it seemed to soar and mingle
With the song of heaven above;
For the pierced hand of the Master
Had struck the keynote—Love.
Thy heart's long-prisoned music
Let the Master's hand set free!
Let Him whisper His beautiful secret
To thee, as He hath to me:
"My Love is the Golden Keynote
Of all My will for thee."
