Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

I WHO MAY ?- The Questions- 1 II THOSE WHO …- The Qualifications- 2-5

INTRODUCTION :

“ A psalm of David. ”

This is the first of seventeen Psalms that bear this simple title without musical instruction or historical background.

I WHO MAY ? The Questions-

“ Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?” “ Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” (1)

When David established the tent of worship on Mount Zion he wrote this psalm as a guideline for those who would minister before the Lord. They had to be: • Chosen by God; “ …’No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.”(1 Chron. 15:2) • Consecrated unto God; (set themselves apart, to be holy to the Lord): “ …you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.” (1 Chron. 15:12) Consecration is the positive human response to the sovereign call of God. • Clothed in Righteousness: The Levites, priests and David were all clothed in white garments representing God’s righteousness. “ Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the singers, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs.”(1 Chron. 15:27) Every believer is ‘chosen’ and need to set themselves apart in order to ‘live’ in the presence of God. “ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Pet. 2:9) Satan tried to dwell in the presence of God but was expelled because of his pride: “ You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.”(Isa. 14:13) King David found a con- tinual home in the presence of God because of his humility! “ One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,”(Psalm 27:4) There are 11 characteristics in this psalm that qualify a person to dwell in God’s presence. They are very similar to the message found in the Book of James. Both this psalm and the letter of James are like a burning fire exposing the human heart as God searches for authentic worshippers! 1. “ Those who lead blameless lives… ” (2) These are people who are sincerely applying the word of God to their lives without deceit or hypocrisy. “ But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does.”(James 1:25) 2. “ …and do what is right, ” (2) Those who desire to live in God’s presence must put their faith to work in a practical way. “ You see that his faith (Abraham’s) and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”(James 2:22) 3. “ speaking the truth from sincere hearts. ” (2) Our tongues must be under the discipline and the control of the Holy Spirit to dwell in God’s presence. “ If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”(James 3:2) 4. “ Those who refuse to slander others… ” (3) Of the eleven qualifications four have to do with our tongue. Here is the first of the two prohibitive ones, don’t speak falsely of anyone. “ Brothers, do not slander one another. (James 4:11) II THOSE WHO … The Qualifications- 2-5

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