Psalm 96: Ways to Praise God In this particular Psalm the author admonishes the readers to express praise to God six different ways all of which include using OUR words to communicate HIS praise. God delights in the praises of His people. In Psalm 96 we find a little tutorial on how to bring Glory to God: - Verses 1-2: Sing o Defined: Praising God, typically in song o Music is a powerful tool that for many affects so much of our soul. Songs evoke memories, stir up emotion, identify with a timeline in our lives, and become a mechanism through which words become embedded into our minds. o When we praise the Lord in song, it not only honors Him but is a powerful mechanism for our spiritual growth as well Songs can a mechanism for Scripture memory Biblically-sound worship songs become a vessel though which we can express joy, withstand trial, and counsel the heart Biblically-sound worship songs also help to embed doctrinal truth into our hearts in condensed form. Songs also serve as monuments to God s grace when paired with God s particular work in our lives at a place in time. When we recall the song, we recall God s goodness to us in times past. - Verse 2: Proclaim o Defined: Communicates the picture of a messenger returning from the lines of battle with news of victory. o Here we are admonished to proclaim God s salvation continually (day after day) o In 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 the Apostle Paul perhaps summarizes the responsibility we bear to proclaim God s salvation. Here Paul mentions the effects of salvation in the life of the believer. He then proceeds to say that God makes his appeal to the world for reconciliation through us. We have the privilege and responsibility to proclaim God s salvation to a world that is lost and dying. - Verses 3-6: Declare o Defined: Refers to a public enumeration of events or accounts. In both cases it seems to require an itemization either of numeric value or of sequence o It is so easy for us to live within the blessed protection of God s grace without truly recounting how good God is to us day-by-day, moment-by-moment. We tend to take God s grace for granted. o In order for us to declare God s grace to another, we must first take inventory of WHO God has been TO US and WHAT God has done FOR US. Many times people are concerned about what they would say when presented with an opportunity to share their faith. When one is in the habit of recounting God s goodness, we have a very large reservoir from which to draw. - Verses 7-8: Ascribe o Defined: Specifically to give. The handing over of something to someone. o In Psalm 96 we are instructed to come to Him, bringing Him gifts that He deserves because of His glory and strength. o Sometimes it is difficult to be in the mood to worship the Lord particularly when things are not going according to our plan. It is during these times where worship becomes a matter of 1
the WILL and OBEDIENCE. We worship God even if we don t feel like it because God is worthy! - Verse 9: Worship : o Defined: Bowing in humility and honor before a monarch o All the other terms used in Psalm 96 refer to the contents of our hearts expressed through our words. Worship, however, has to do with our physical posture in bring God praise. This is not to say that only worship from a prostrate position is acceptable to God. The attitude with which we bring true worship humility must be predominant in our hearts. It is therefore quite acceptable for the condition of our hearts to be made manifest with the actions of our physical bodies. - Verse 10: Say o Defined: that which is communicated with one s actions and words o In the Scriptures this term say is often followed by a direct quotation. Here that direct quotation is The LORD reigns. Each nation would have been defined by their own rulers and own gods. The responsibility of the follower of the one true God Almighty was to proclaim His superiority with their words AND actions. Faith to the nation of Israel was intended to be more than just recitation of words. The Law given by God to Moses affected every aspect of the life of the Israelites. History demonstrates that when Israel s relationship with God was reduced to religion (rote obedience to a prescription) then then nation suffered as a whole. How many times do we demonstrate to the world around us by our words and actions that The Lord reigns in our hearts? Psalm 97: The LORD Reigns Understanding Psalm 97:1 seems simple enough - The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad. We say, Amen, as we sit at the table sipping our coffee and reading the Scriptures. But how glad are those innocent men, women, and children, afraid for their lives in one of the many war zones in the world? Or the parents standing over the grave of a young child struck down by a drunk driver? Or the starving mother wailing helplessly while frantically searching for food to feed her bloated children in the midst of a famine? An all powerful, all loving King surely wouldn't allow these scenarios under His reign. Psalm 97 is, in fact, a literal description of how things will be when King Jesus returns to earth, the kingdoms of the world having become the Kingdom of our LORD and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 11:15) The Lord's coming is associated with clouds and thick darkness (v. 2; Zechariah 1:14-15), with righteousness and justice (v.2; Psalm 96:13), with fire that destroys his foes (v.3; Revelation 20:9), with lightning that causes the earth to tremble (v. 4; Psalm 77:18), and with power to melt the mountains like wax (v.5; Micah 1:3-4). Then will the earth's government be great. Righteousness, justice, and peace will prevail (Isaiah 9:6-7). The wicked and idolaters will be put to shame, and all the earth will worship the Lord (Isaiah 2:2-4). There is a sense, also, that the Lord reigns now. He is King over those who put their trust in Christ, whom he rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of His Son (Colossians 1:12-13). 2
But He also is King over the whole earth now (Psalm 47:2; 7-8; 1 Timothy 1:17). The afflicted, the miserable, the downtrodden and the bitter can be glad why? It is because of His mercies that we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:18-23). He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). - The Lord reigns: Let the earth rejoice and bow in fear because of His coming judgment (97:1-6) - The Lord reigns: Let idolaters be ashamed, but let His people rejoice (97:7-9) Prepared by Tom Nething Psalm 98: Sing a New Song to the LORD! Psalm 98 shares many similarities with Psalm 96 and was the inspiration for Isaac Watts hymn, "Joy to the World!" It is a joyful and exuberant praise song celebrating God's salvation and victory over evil and injustice. Sing aloud, and celebrate God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises, to bring salvation to His people, and to judge the earth. This Psalm also celebrates the rule of Jesus Christ as King. Rejoice! The LORD is King not only over Israel, but over all the earth! - A command to sing: Sing a new song to the LORD! Why? o God has done marvelous things (v 1) His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him (NASB) God has worked deliverance (salvation) for His people and made it known to the nations (v 2) o He comes to judge the earth (v 9) - Who is to sing? An invitation to: o God's people! (v 3) o All of creation and all who dwell in it! (v 4, 7-8) - How shall they sing? Sing it loud! o Shout for joy; burst into jubilant song (v 4) - the psalmist envisions the cheering sounds of the congregation "bursting in jubilant song" at a worship service. Jubilant here means: give a ringing cry; to cry aloud; to shout aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful, greatly rejoice, cause to shout for joy, cause to sing aloud, triumph. o With our mouths and instruments (vv 4-6); Psalm 47:6-7 NKJV says to sing with understanding. o Throughout Scripture we can find the exhortation to sing a new song (Psalm 96:1), to shout to the Lord, to play skillfully with shouts of joy (Psalm 33:2, 3), to make a joyful noise (Psalm 100:1 KJV), to stand and kneel or bow down (Psalm 95:6; 33:8 ESV), to raise our hands (Psalm 134:2) and to clap our hands (Psalm 47:1). What other postures of worship can you find in the Scriptures? o We are to sing with a joyful and worshipful heart because Jesus is King over all He has made and He will judge the world in righteousness and the people with equity (vv 7-9). - Where should we sing? o Before the LORD, the King! (vv 6a, 9a) Read John 4:20-24: Worship in spirit and truth o Though we are to gather together to worship with God's people (Hebrews 10:19-25), worship is not a matter of a particular place. True worship is a lifestyle, not a location. Worshipping God in spirit and truth, encompasses the believer's life. 3
- Key verse: The LORD comes to judge the earth. He will judge the earth with righteousness and the people with equity (v 9 ESV). o This will be supremely fulfilled when Christ returns to reign over the world. o Psalm 93:13 (NKJV) - For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth. o Why is the coming of God's judgment cause for a new song of joy? Because at last the LORD will put an end to cruelty, chaos, evil and injustice. Revelation 22:3-5 speaks of Paradise restored. Jesus will return, He will reign and He will restore all things to perfection. Revelation 22:7a Jesus speaking, "Behold, I am coming soon!" Together we sing - Even so come, LORD Jesus, come! When was the last time you thought about the Lord's return, coming on the clouds of glory (Mark 13:26)? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 speaks of the return of Jesus and verse 18 tells us to reassure each other with the hope and comfort found in these verses. Are you eagerly awaiting His return? Do the words found in 1 Thessalonians offer you comfort and encouragement? I pray you are encouraged today with the truth of our Lord's second coming. May it settle your uncertainties and give your mind peace as you earnestly await His coming (Philippians 3:20). I pray His Spirit strengthen you and give you more grace as you press on to finish the race well (2 Timothy 4:6-8). And should you find yourself walking through a valley, or joyfully leaping on a mountain top, sing a new song... for Jesus is with you! "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) Shout for joy, for your Savior comes (Isaiah 62:11)! And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you, to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him (Romans 12:1-2 NLT). And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8; 5:9) Come Lord Jesus, come! Prepared by Steve Morgan Psalm 99: Worship the Holy God This Psalm begins with an allusion to God s throne on earth: the Mercy Seat. When God gave His law to Moses he instructed the people to make a box that would house the various signs of God s covenant with Israel. This box was to be called the Ark of the Covenant. On top of the Ark was to be a lid made of gold fashioned into the form of two angels (Cherubim). The angels were to face each other with their wings touching across the top, creating a bit of a canopy on top of the Ark. This canopy was called the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25). It was presumed to be the place where the tangible presence of God would reside within the nation of Israel. The Ark and Mercy Seat were placed in the Tabernacle / Temple in a place called the Holy of Holies. This place was only allowed to be accessed once a year by the high priest, and that only for the purpose of presenting the blood sacrifice before the Mercy Seat on the day of Atonement. 4
The Psalmist refers to Lord reigning from his throne the Mercy Seat enthroned between the cherubim. The Psalmist also mentioned that God reigns in might (v.4), justice (v.4), equity (v.4), righteousness (v.4) and holiness (v.5) One would assume that such a holy God would not be able to tolerate anything that is unholy. And yet, one of the great joys of being loved by OUR holy God (vs.8-9) is that He invites us into His presence even though we are unholy! God certainly does not tolerate our wickedness (v.8), but rather loves us despite it and gives us the power we need to be made holy (v.7). Psalm 100: An Invitation to Worship The 5 short verses of Psalm 100 paint communicate a heart of eager enthusiasm to worship God. In my mind I envision the Psalmist with the same anticipation as a little child on Christmas morning. In this Psalm we are not only invited to come before the Lord to worship, but we are also told WHY we should worship. - Worship with Joy and Enthusiasm (vs. 1-2) o Shout for Joy! (v.1) o Worship the Lord with gladness (v.2) o Come before Him with joyful songs (v.2) - Why? It all comes down to the nature of our relationship with Him (vs. 3 and 5) o Because the Lord is God (v.3) o The Lord God made US (v.3) o WE are HIS (v.3) o WE are HIS people (v.3) o WE are the sheep of HIS pasture (v.3) o The Lord God is GOOD (v.5) o His love endures forever (v.5) o His is always faithful to us (v.5) - The Invitation to Come (v.4) o We come with Thanksgiving Thanksgiving comes from a heart of gratitude and humility Thanksgiving acknowledges the sacrifice of another for our benefit Thanksgiving is generally a communication of gratitude for what one has DONE o We come with Praise (v.4) Praise is generally a communication of exaltation for WHO a person is as well as what they have done. 5