Sermon Tone Analysis

Rejoicing over the restoration of Israel

The Lord’s marvelous deliverance is almost too good to be true

We took no part in it.

It was done for us—we woke up to find it was true.

—Alec Motyer

The Lord’s marvelous work brought laughter, singing, and rejoicing to His people

They were so overwhelmed with joy they couldn’t even use words

The only thing thing their tongue could do was sing

Their joy caught the attention of the Gentiles

So throughout the psalm laughter, singing, and rejoicing often (as here) are evidence of a salvation to which the recipients have contributed nothing but subsequent joy.

—Alec Motyer

Ah, dear reader, Jehovah has indeed done marvellous things for his chosen, and these "great things" shall be themes for eternal praise among all intelligent creatures.

—Charles Spurgeon

The delivered affirm the truth spoken by the Gentiles

Nehemiah

To themselves they appropriated the joyful assertion; they said "The Lord hath done great things for us", and they declared their gladness at the fact.

It is a poor modesty which is ashamed to own its joys in the Lord.

Call it rather a robbery of God.

There is so little of happiness abroad that if we possess a full share of it we ought not to hide our light under a bushel, but let it shine on all that are in the house.

Let us avow our joy, and the reason of it, stating the "whereof" as well as the fact.

None are so happy as those who arc newly turned and returned from captivity; none can more promptly and satisfactorily give a reason for the gladness that is in them, the Lord himself has blessed us, blessed us greatly, blessed us individually, blessed assuredly; and because of this we sing unto his name.

—Charles Spurgeon

Requesting revival

The prayer for God to once again do a great work

The prayer is for another sudden work of God: a dry watercourse suddenly foaming with water because there has been rain in the hills.

The Negev is the southern desert.

—Alec Motyer

Only the Lord can fill us with the living waters

John 4:

Even as the Lord sends floods down on the dry beds of southern torrents after long droughts, so can he fill our wasted and wearied spirits with floods of holy delight.

—Charles Spurgeon

John 7:37

Reaping what we have sown

Note the contrast: the prayer (4) is for suddenness; the answer (5-6) directs patient continuance in sowing and reaping, discipline, and tears.

—Alec Motyer

Hebrews 10:

Hebrews 12:12

Hebrews 12:13-

Sow with an expectation to reap Psalm 126:5

No sowing no reaping

What are we sowing is the question?

Part of Israel’s reaping sorrow was because they had sowed sin

Read Warren Wiersbe

No weeping no rejoicing

When a man's heart is so stirred that he weeps over the sins of others, he is elect to usefulness.

Winners of souls are first weepers for souls.

—Charles Spurgeon

Isaiah 35:

Jeremiah

Sow persistently and with tears

Weep to and fro

Choose and carry the seed carefully knowing the seed you plant determines what you will reap

Cast the seed of God’s word into the soil of other’s hearts

Our labor and tears will bring the joy of a harvest