I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall he joyful in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels. Isaiah 61:10.
In vain dost thou dress up and adorn thyself, O my soul, before thou approachest Christ. To him thou must come, filthy, naked, and miserable as thou art; he will clothe and adorn thee himself, and in this ornament alone thou shalt rejoice. For the very best of our robes and performances, are not without spots, but still want to be washed in the blood of Christ and covered with this ornament. Revelation 7:14. This, and this alone is the way to enjoy and maintain a true peace. This will enable us to rejoice that our names are written in heaven.
Awake my heart, arise my tongue,
Prepare a tuneful voice:
In God, the life of all my joys,
Aloud will I rejoice.
’Tis he adorned my naked soul,
And made salvation mine;
Upon a poor polluted worm
He makes his graces shine.
The spirit wrought my faith and love,
And hope, and every grace;
But Jesus spent his life to work
The robe of righteousness.
Strangely my soul art thou arrayed
By the great sacred Three!
In sweetest harmony of praise
Let all the powers agree.