Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

I PRAISE THE LORD - 1-6 Israel Under God’s Grace

“Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him half enough? Happy are those who deal justly with others and always do what is right.”(1-3) This is the first full mention of this phrase that is the theme song of the redeemed nation. There are two vital actions commanded; “praise” and “give thanks” and two essential reasons to do so; “he is good” and “his faithful love endures forever.” Whenever this song was sung, God responded with ‘glorious miracles’ . • At the Dedication of Solomon’s Temple- “…they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: ‘He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!’ At that moment a cloud filled the temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.” (2 Chron. 5:13, 14) • At Jehoshaphat’s Epic Battle- “…the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him…this is what they sang: ‘give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’ At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies…to start fight- ing among themselves.” (2 Chron. 20:21, 22) Israel’s history is a song about the goodness and faithful love of God that carried them through their trials in spite of all their sins. Praise is not a substitute for living in a correct relationship to God so there are some qualifying remarks about doing what is just and right. We must live a life of praise as well as praise him all our life. “Remember me, too Lord, when you show favor to your people; come to me with your salvation. Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage. Both we and our ancestors have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly!” (4-6) The un-named author of this song realizes that their personal blessing is tied to the over-all bless- ing of God upon the nation and asks to be included in the restoration of his people. The favor, salvation, prosperity, joy and heritage is corporate, yet it affects each individual. When the church is doing well, all its members benefit and we should pray for its universal prosperity. The author also identifies with the long history of Israel’s sins and begins a confession that lists the major failures of the nation. • They forgot- “Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miracles. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them.” (7) The very purpose of the psalms was to put the history of Israel into music so it would be remembered. When the church forgets its heritage, it forfeits its bene- fits. • They rebelled- “Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea.” (7) When the kindness of God is forgotten rebellion ferments. As the chariots of Pharaoh came thundering upon them they turned against Moses: “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt?”(Ex. 14:11) “Even so, he saved them to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power. He commanded the Red Sea to divide, and a dry path appeared. He led Israel across the sea bottom that was as dry as a desert. So he rescued them from their enemies and redeemed them from their foes. Then the water returned and covered their enemies; not one of them survived. Then at last his peo- ple believed his promises. Then they finally sang his praise.” (8-12) He saved them to preserve his own honor among the nations and to demonstrate his superiority over all the gods. It was not because of their inherent goodness, it was because of his goodness. The belief in his promises was genuine but temporary much like the person in the parable of Jesus who received the word with joy upon rocky soil: “At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have prob- lems or are persecuted because they believe the word.” (Mt. 13:21) They ’believed…when they could II THEY FINALLY SANG HIS PRAISE - 7-12- Israel at the Red Sea

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