Sunday, May 7, 2017 pm
PRAISE WITH MY WHOLE
HEART
Psalm 138
This particular psalm is attributed to David.
At what point in his life he wrote this we do not know as it is a
general psalm acknowledging the greatness of God and David’s resolve to
proclaim that. In this
psalm, there are many qualities addressed which we can and should apply
in our lives as Christians. In this lesson we will notice a few of them.
a.
God demands our all.
And, our praise and service to Him must be from within –
Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 called for Israel to remember this.
Jesus also addressed this thought at least twice as noted in Luke 10:27
where a lawyer asks Jesus what one must do “to inherit eternal life.”
Later in Matthew 22:37, He was asked what is “the greatest
commandment” to which He answered we love God with our all and our
neighbor as ourselves. On
these two commands hang the whole law.
When we love God as we ought to, it will be reflected in our
praise for Him.
David, as he begins this psalm does so realizing this.
It is also something we have noted in numerous other psalms
(Psalm 9:1, 86:12, 103:1-2, 111:1, etc.).
b.
Before gods, I will sing
praises to you
– Who are the gods of this verse?
i.
It could be a reference
to false idols, but they do not hear.
If so, David’s acknowledgment is in the ONE true God.
ii.
Or it could be rulers,
those who put themselves in the place of gods (or assume that they are
direct representatives of them) – Psalm 82:1, God stands in the
congregation of the mighty, He judges among the gods.
Also vs. 6 which Jesus addresses in John 10:34-35.
iii.
Even in the midst of an
antagonistic society, which worships man, itself and things, we must
still openly and unashamedly praise Him.
c.
Worship toward Your holy temple – this is where we find God.
Psalm 99:9 speaks of worshipping at His holy hill.
Psalm 11:4 speaks of The LORD being in His holy temple, and His
throne is in heaven.
Habakkuk 2:20 – He is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence
before Him.
When we are praising Him with our whole heart, we will respect that
which He has assigned us to be and do.
John 4:24, 1 Corinthians 14:15 – with the spirit and with the
understanding.
d.
Praise Your name
i.
For His lovingkindness and truth – God is kind and loving
Praise also for His truth – or faithfulness.
Psalm 12:6, The words of
the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
Psalm 18:30,
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a
shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 56:4, In God (I will praise
His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh
do to me?
The word can also mean faithfulness as in God is one who not only
speaks, but He keeps His word.
He can and does what He promises!
ii.
He has magnified His word even above His name
–
How does God magnify (make great) His word?
By keeping it; Through the wisdom it reveals; By its divine
nature – there are elements of God’s word that show He is God – such as
prophecy, declarations made before they are discovered, etc.
is God’s word greater than His name?
NO! Both are of EQUAL
greatness, as is all that is associated with Him.
The Hebrew word translated “above” can also mean on account of, together
with, or on the basis of, etc.
Within our text this seems to be the point as David is showing
due reverence for God’s word which declares His holy and awesome name
(Psalm 111:9).
In other words, when you respect God’s word you WILL respect His name.
e.
When he cried out, the
LORD answered him
and made him bold with strength of soul.
Confidence found in answered prayers.
a.
All the kings of the
earth –
consider our former discussion on the “gods” of vs. 1.
If this is judges and rulers, here we find they will praise Him.
b.
They will praise Him
when they hear His words, they will sing the ways of the LORD for His
great glory
–
Who are these kings
praising Him?
i.
It could be specific and multiple nations
– who were associated with a particular (and unnamed) event(s) related
to Israel. There were many
occasions where rulers of nations, especially around Israel witnessed
the power of God, praised Him and aided His kings
– 2 Samuel 8:10 – after David defeated kings, other kings sent him
gifts.
- 2 Samuel 5:11 after conquering Jerusalem, the king of Tyre aided
David.
- Naaman who acknowledged God while in a foreign land
- Assyria, Babylon and Medo-Persia at times submitted to God in praise –
cf. 2 Chronicles 36:22-23
ii.
It could be a description of God’s sovereign rule
- God is a God of
judgment – for all. Nations
and their rulers WILL bow before Him.
The only question is – WHEN? Philippians 2:9-11.
iii.
It could be looking to a future hope and descriptive of those who do
surrender to Him
– as in many of the prophets that speaks of this future hope and peace
in the world.
c.
Great is the glory of the LORD - Whatever it be, the point is they cannot resist Him and His
will. David in this psalm is
describing the victory of God – for He is with Him.
a.
David knows this is why
God would be with Him. God
doesn’t judge man the same way man does.
God’s ways are higher than our ways.
b.
Even from heaven, He regards the humble
–
In this expression we see God as caring, just, righteous, merciful,
gracious, good and loving, etc.
He is not your typical ruler who with arrogance looks down upon
his subjects.
He regards the lowly – those who show humility – whether in their
lifestyles or their demeanor.
Humility is one of
those qualities that is crucial to pleasing God.
As Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount – He began by describing the poor
in spirit, those who mourn and the meek – (Matthew 5:3-5) – all three of
these qualities manifest our humility which brings us to Him.
Micah 6:8, He has shown you, O
man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do
justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Isaiah 57:15, For thus says
the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I
dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble
spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of
the contrite ones.
James 4:6-10 describes
how we humbles before Him.
Let Him lift you up.
Therefore, we must humble ourselves before Him that in due time He may
exalt us.
Isaiah 57:15 - For thus says the
High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell
in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble
spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of
the contrite ones.
THOUGHT: Why does God love the humble?
There are many reasons, but one is because they LISTEN to His
word (see vs. 2).
c.
He knows the proud from afar – i.e. they are NOT close to Him.
He doesn’t want them around Him!
Often in scripture, both humility and pride are listed together –
opposed to one another. This
double emphasis shows how important this attitude is.
Pride is a quality that often leads to sin.
It drives one away from God AND it drives God away from him!
Pride keeps us from repenting and submitting to Him.
Pride causes me to think more highly of myself than I ought to
(Romans 12:3). Pride
produces arrogance and rebellion against God because one thinks he
doesn’t need him.
Proverbs 16:5 notes that the proud heart is an abomination to God.
That is why we have read in James 4:6 He resists the proud.
Psalm 18:27, For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.
Psalm 147:6 says, The Lord
lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.
Finally consider Proverbs 18:12,
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is
humility.
d.
Even in the midst of
trouble, He will revive and save those who belong to Him. He will
stretch out His hand against our enemies.
Again, consider God’s judgment – He knows what is going on.
He knows how you are being treated.
Be reminded of:
1) Romans 12:18-21 - Vengeance is mine, I will repay.
Leave the judgment in God’s hands.
2) Don’t live a life of worry and hopelessness – God is in control!
Life is not about the abundance you accumulate here. Matthew
10:28
3) Trust Him – Proverbs 3:5-6 – if you trust Him, He will direct your
paths.
e.
He will perfect
(complete) that which concerns me.
See the previous point.
f.
Do not forsake the works of Your hands
– David’s final request is that the LORD remember him and all that has
bee accomplished to bring Him glory.
When we consider who God is, what He has done and can do, let us resolve
that we too will praise Him with our whole heart.