The Shame of Christ's Enemies and the Glory of His Crown
S. Conway Psalm 132:18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but on himself shall his crown flourish. That part of the Old Testament history to which this psalm refers is in all probability the dedication of the temple which Solomon had built. Part of it forms the conclusion of the prayer which Solomon offered on that occasion (cf. vers. 8-10 and 2 Chronicles 6:41, 42). And the whole of it is appropriate to that event. Its first portion expresses the earnest anxiety of God's people for his presence amongst them, and the second recounts those facts and promises on which their faith that God would come amongst them rested. David had been full of concern about the building of the house of the Lord. It was a real distress to him until he had found a place, etc. (ver. 5). And all his conduct had been in keeping with this holy desire. Now, this the psalmist prays the Lord to remember. And what an example such holy anxiety is to us all when we are seeking the presence of the Lord in our midst! Such holy longing after himself God will never disappoint. The latter part of the psalm proves this, and our text is the closing promise of a series, all of which assure the people of God that Christ shall live and reign and triumph in their midst. So, then, let us consider - I. THE SHAME OF CHRIST'S ENEMIES. 1. It is strange that he should have any enemies, so good and gracious as he was. 2. But some of these enemies do not think themselves to be such. Those that are openly and flagrantly against Christ all can recognize; but there are a number of others who, though not with Christ, would protest against being regarded as his enemies. But such protest will not avail. To be not with Christ is to be against him - his enemy. 3. And for his enemies there awaits open shame. They shall be clothed with it. (1) There will be the shame of defeat. They cannot, shall not, have their way. The Church they would despoil the Lord will keep. (2) And of contempt. For think what it is they oppose; not some tyrannous oppression, but a just, holy, and most beneficent rule. And how inexcusable such opposition, for God's Word was all against them, and the testimony of the best and wisest of men, and conscience, when suffered to speak, condemned them! but, nevertheless, they persisted in their sin and folly. What but the shame of contempt can come to them? What else should come? (3) And of the profound moral condemnation of all the good. For these opponents of Christ have violated all their better nature, have incurred the guilt of deep ingratitude, and have wrought widespread evil; they have dragged down with them many precious souls, and they have done foul dishonor to God. May he keep us from all such shame! II. THE GLORIES OF THE SAVIOR'S CROWN. "Upon himself," etc. None of us are capable of adequately speaking of these glories, but we are able to see some of the sources whence these glories spring. As: 1. From the nature of Christ's rule. It is supreme, universal, eternal, attained at vast cost and in infinite wisdom, righteousness, and love. 2. From the universal and glad response which it shall receive. "His saints shall shout aloud for joy." His rule is their delight. 3. From the results of his rule. See the numbers of his subjects, their happy condition, their spotless purity. These are some of the results of our Savior's rule. CONCLUSION. In which shall you and I share - in these glories, or in the shame with which his enemies shall be clothed? One or the other it must be. Before God let us settle this question. - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish. WEB: I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will be resplendent." A Song of Ascents. By David.