Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

• The calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John… ”One day as Jesus was walking along the shore beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers-Simon,…and Andrew…Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!’”(Mt. 4:18) • Preaching his parables from a boat: “Later that same day, Jesus left the house and went down to the shore, where an immense crowd soon gathered. He got into a boat, where he sat and taught as the people listened on the shore.”(Mt.13:1,2) • Jesus’ last appearance recorded in the gospel of John happened next to the beloved sea that he created: “Later Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.”(Jn. 21:1) 5. The Decrees Are Unchangeable- “Your royal decrees cannot be changed 5 .” (5) As Boice says: ‘God rules his people by his Word.’ What was true for the believers in the early days of the apostles is true for us today; God’s word, his judgments concerning life and moral behavior have not been altered for modern convenience. Jesus makes this very clear for us: “I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God’s law will remain until its purpose is achieved.” (Mt. 5:18) The most violent waves beat emptily against the rock of his commandments. 6. The Holiness of His Reign- “The nature of your reign, O Lord, is holiness forever.” (5) The most awe-inspiring aspect of the presence of God is his complete holiness. It seems to be the deepest theme of eternal worship: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” (Isa. 6:3) To be holy is to be clean and purified; God’s love is untainted by human selfishness; his pure mercy cleanses the soul and spirit of his worshippers; his limitless power revitalizes our being with strength; his joy delights us. There is only one rational response to being in the presence of this holy God: “For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him.”(Rev. 22:3) Rather than raging against him, we are invited to join the roaring waves of his ever-increasing praise. III ROYAL DECREES - (5)

1 Scroggie 2 Spence 3 Spurgeon 4 Keil & Delitzsch 5 Boyce

PSALM 94: MY GOD IS A MIGHTY ROCK The Lord Will Execute Justice

Just when people think that God is unaware or unconcerned about injustice, he promises to arise and bring about equity for the oppressed and judgment upon the wicked. This is the grand theme of this song along with the preservation of his people who are often forced to live through seasons of unjust rulers and their corrupt laws. This is considered as one of the latest psalms in the Bible, probably writ- ten at the same time as Ecclesiastes 1 . The tradition of the Rabbis holds that it was sung on Wednes- days in the rebuilt temple 2 . It is uncertain that the enemies mentioned here are foreign or domestic but their fate is sealed when the Mighty God arises in his judicial majesty. God has a place of safety for his chosen people even in the most trying and difficult times. It is outlined in 5 sections where the Psalmist changes the direction of his focus:

I HEAR THEIR ARROGANCE - 1-7 The Psalmist Speaks to God II HE PUNISHES THE NATIONS - 8-11 The Psalmist Speaks to the Wicked III HAPPY ARE THOSE - 12-15 The Psalmist Speaks to the Just IV HOPE AND CHEER - 16-19 The Psalmist Speaks to God V HE WILL DESTROY THEM - 20-23 The Psalmist Speaks to the Wicked/Just

I HEAR THEIR ARROGANCE - 1-7 The Psalmist Speaks to God

“O Lord, the God to whom vengeance belongs, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice be seen! Arise, O judge of the earth. Sentence the proud to the penalties they deserve.” (1,2)

231