Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

• “ wild animals and all livestock, (10) - The call of the wolf, the roar of the lion, the bawling of the ox are all turned to praise when the people of God take their honored place as universal worship lead- ers. During his temptation in the wilderness Jesus was with the wild beasts; “He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.” (Mrk. 1:13) The domestic donkey’s colt became an instrument of praise when he rode triumphantly into Jerusalem; “’Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey–even on a donkey’s colt.’” (Mt. 21:5) • “ reptiles and birds,” (10) The great ‘serpent’, the devil, will be totally defeated in the day of praise; “In that day the Lord will take his terrible, swift sword and punish Leviathan, the swiftly moving serpent, the coiling, writhing serpent, the dragon of the sea.” (Isa. 27:1) The birds of the air lend their songs to the Lord who has graciously provided their every need; “Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest, or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them.” (Mt. 6:26) ‘Those are worse than beasts who do not praise our God. More base than reptiles, more insignificant than insects, are songless men.’ 8 • “ kings of the earth and all people” (11) - No king is above the mandate to praise, the most pow- erful individuals in society are called upon to recognize the obvious: “For at the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” (1 Tim. 6:15) His invitation to the banquet of praise is extended to everyone regardless of rank and social po- sition; “Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.” (Mt. 22:9) • “ rulers and judges of the earth” (11) - The wisest ruler will understand that the lesser power will always honor and praise the greater authority of the kingdom of God. The most discerning judges of the earth will render their verdict to praise and honor the supreme Judge of the Universe. • “ young men and maidens,” (12) - Praise should be forever young and fresh capturing the hearts of the emerging generation of young men and maidens ; timeless truth expressed in contemporary style, poetry and sound. There is no gender bias in the ministry of praise, it is both masculine and feminine in its complete expression. • “ old men and children.” (12) Praise is a rehearsal of the great deeds he has done in the past memorialized by the music and hymns of previous generations (old men). God’s praises should include songs of simplicity and childlike faith drawing the youngest of hearts into the celebration! The animal kingdom awaits the coming of the Lord, the resurrection and the new heavens and earth where their original purpose to be the companions and servants of mankind will be enhanced and re- stored! “All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.” (Rom. 8:23) ‘ …the whole of creation, which is destined to glorify God and to be itself glori- fied.’ 9 They also will enter into the pantheon of praise around the throne of God: “And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They also sang: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.’” (Rev. 5:13) Only human beings have the privilege to praise the name of Jesus Christ as redeemer; they alone were purchased by the blood of the Lamb from the slavery of eternal death. ‘ …for the church of God on earth is the central-point of the universe, the aim of the history of the world, and the glorifying of this “He has made his people strong, honoring his godly ones– the people of Israel who are close to him.” (NLT 14) “He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart.” (NIV 14) The horn is used throughout the Old Testament as a symbol the strength of a nation. When the Jews returned from Babylon they were recognized as a people that ‘God has now given it a horn again, and that a high one, i.e. has helped Israel to attain again an independence among the nations that commands respect.’ 11 In its deepest sense, the verse is a preliminary view of the great church of Jesus Christ made of Jews and Gentiles, dwelling near to the heart of God in worship and praise. “Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!” (13) church is the turning-point for the transformation of the world.’ 10 When the church praises the Lamb of God, it stands at the head of a cosmic revolution that will change the order of creation!

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