Salvation is truly a wondrous work, and calls for constant heartfelt praise. No case can be worse than that of the sinner under condemnation; no state can be more blessed than that of the man who is saved in the Lord. To call forth our gratitude, and incite us to praise, this glorious work is variously represented in God's word, and admonition on admonition is given. "O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so--whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy!" Psalm 107:1-2
 

The Redeemed of the Lord. These, literally, were the seed of Abraham, who were in captivity in Egypt, in Babylon, and elsewhere--who suffered bitter bondage, and were cruelly treated when in the enemy's power. They represented the Lord's people, who being born in sin, were in captivity to Satan, in slavery under the basic principles of the world, and under the enemy's cruel power.

But for their deliverance, God entered into covenant, exercised his wisdom in forming a plan, and all the persons in the Godhead engaged to carry it out. The Father sent his Son to be our Redeemer; the Son of God came to give his life a ransom price for us; he sent the Holy Spirit to rescue and claim us, and implants his grace within us to incline and dispose us. The blood of Jesus was the price paid, and the energy of the Spirit was the power exerted, and the grace of God was the power imparted; and as the effect of these--our souls were redeemed.

When the price was paid for us--we were rescued out of the hand of the enemy, who kept us in cruel bondage; from whom we could not escape, as he had full power over us. But God gave the command, the gospel proclaimed our freedom--yet only the power of the Spirit could bring us forth into liberty. Our redemption therefore was a divine work:
the Father planned it,
the Son laid down his life as the price of it, and
the Holy Spirit exerts his power within us to set us free.
 

The Testimony Called For. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." Say what? That the Lord is good. Good to the unworthy, good at great expense, and good beyond our highest expectation.

"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." Say what? That his mercy endures forever. His mercy was shown not only to the fathers--but to their seed, not only once but frequently, not for a time only--but forever.

"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." Say what? O give thanks unto the Lord. Call upon all to bless his name, to praise and magnifiy him forever. In Heaven they praise him for his redeeming mercy, and on earth we should praise him too. Our fathers celebrated his goodness, and their children should celebrate it too. "O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works unto the children of men."

We are either redeemed--or we are in bondage still. We know not what Christ has done for us--but by the work of the Holy Spirit within us. The blood of Christ alone will not set us free--the power of the Spirit must be added. The grace of the Father alone, will not bring us out of bondage--there must be the grace of the Father, the blood of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit--to effect the sinner's salvation. If we are redeemed--God is the one who has redeemed us. No one else could form the plan, pay the price, or exert the power. In our redemption the whole Deity is engaged, revealed, and enjoyed. We are therefore called, "The redeemed of the Lord."

The thought of redemption originated with God,
the scheme of redemption was devised by God,
the ransom price for redemption was provided by God,
the power for redemption was exerted by God,
and all the glory of redemption belongs to God!

If God redeemed us--we should bear our testimony to his goodness and mercy. We can speak of it from experience, and if there is any gratitude in our hearts we shall speak of it, and call on all around us to unite with us in giving thanks to his name.

O how wonderful the love--the redeeming love of God!

How precious, how infinitely precious--the redeeming blood of Jesus!

How mighty, how invincible the power--the redeeming power of the Holy Spirit!

To God, our own God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit--be praise, honor, glory, and thanksgiving, for our eternal redemption!

And did the holy and the just,
The Sovereign of the skies,
Stoop down to wretchedness and dust,
That guilty worms might rise?

Yes! the Redeemer left his throne,
His radiant throne on high,
(Surprising mercy! love unknown!)
To suffer, bleed, and die!

He took the dying traitor's place,
And suffered in his stead;
For man, (O miracle of grace!)
For man, the Savior bled!

Dear Lord, what Heavenly wonders dwell
In your atoning blood!
By this are sinners snatched from Hell,
And rebels brought to God!

Jesus! my soul adoring bends
To love so full, so free;
And may I hope that love extends
Its sacred power to me!

What glad return can I impart,
For favors so divine?
O take my all--this worthless heart,
And make it only Thine!