“When God is thus in the midst of a people, ’tis just cause of {joy and shouts}, that so great {and holy an one is amongst them}. ’Tis the greatest cause that a people can have to rejoice and to praise. Though they may be low in the world, they have greater cause of joy and thankfulness than if they abounded never so much in the wealth and good things of the world; more than if the earth should bring forth by handfuls [Genesis 41:47], or the abundance and wealth of the seas should be gathered together . . . and the heavens should shower down silver and gold and pearls on them, and the rock should pour out rivers of oil to them [Job 29:6]. They have greater cause to rejoice and praise than they that find great spoils.”

—Jonathan Edwards