Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

The psalmist convinces us that God is personally strong and his throne, or platform of government is founded on ‘righteousness and justice’ . These two immovable aspects of his character are as solid as the heavens and as sure as the directions of the compass. He then reminds us of the importance of coupling ‘unfailing love (mercy) and truth’ together. They are both equally valuable in leading us to his salvation.

IV CALL TO WORSHIP -15-18 Praise from His Congregation

“Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness. You are their glorious strength. Our power is based is based on your favor. Yes, our protection comes from the Lord, and he, the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king.” (15-19) This festive atmosphere is reminiscent of the great feasts of Israel. The Pulpit Commentary calls it the ‘sound of devotional joy 3 ’ although some believers have not heard or chose to ignore the call of God to worship. Those who rejoice in public worship take their experience onward into their everyday lives

illumined by his presence. Life is better when we ‘rejoice in…his reputation’ and ‘exult in his righteous- ness’ . We receive his strength, favor and protection as we embrace the king and his kingdom.

V MY COVENANT WILL NEVER END - 19-37 Prince of the Covenant

“You once spoke in a vision to your prophet and said,…” (19)

This section is a musical rendition of God’s prophecy to David that was given by Nathan in 2 Samuel 7:5-16. Although it is in reference to David the son of Jesse, it can only be fully realized by Jesus, the Son of God. We stand before one of the most important passages of the Bible; God binds himself ir- revocably in an oath giving precious promises to David and his ‘seed’, Jesus Christ: • Helped by God- “I have given help to a warrior.” (19) God is looking for spiritual warriors who will advance his kingdom. • Selected- “I have selected him from the people to be king.”(19) He reserves the right to chose those who will lead his people. • Found- “I have found my servant David.”(20) God searched for a man whose heart was right: “David son of Jesse is a man after my own heart, for he will do everything I want him to.” (Acts 13:22) • Anointed- “I have anointed him with my holy oil.” (20) Both David and his ‘seed’ were anointed with the Holy Spirit: “…you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.” (Acts 10:38) • Strengthened- “I will steady him, and I will make him strong.” (21) • Victorious- “His enemies will not get the best of him, nor will the wicked overpower him. I will beat down his adversaries before him and destroy those who hate him.” (22, 23) Both David and Christ tri- umphed over their adversaries. “…God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them pub- licly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ.” (Col. 2:15) • Exalted- “My faithfulness and unfailing love will be with him and he will rise to power because of me.” (24) Promotion comes from God alone. • Universal rule- “I will extend his rule from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the east.” (25) David’s rule was territorial encompassing most all of the Middle East; Christ’s kingdom encompasses all nations. • Sonship- “And he will say to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ I will make him my firstborn son, the mightiest king on earth.” (26, 27) David, the youngest son of Jesse, became the King of Israel and received the heritage of the firstborn. Christ is called the ‘firstborn’ of the new creation; “He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (Col. 1:18) • Everlasting Covenant- “I will love him and be kind to him forever; my covenant with him will never end. (28) David’s name means ‘beloved’; Christ is the beloved Son of the Father. • Heir to the Throne- “I will preserve an heir for him; his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven.” (29) There were 19 heirs to the throne of David beginning with Solomon and ending with Zedekiah. Christ inherited the endless throne in heaven.

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