Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

IV. HIS WATCHFULNESS - (16-19) V. HIS WORTHINESS - (20-22)

This psalm employs a poetical technique, repeating a phrase with a slight difference for emphasis. It is done throughout the psalm.

(6) “ The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. (repeated as) He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.”

(11) “But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; (repeated as) …his intentions can never be shaken.”

I. HIS WORSHIP - 1-3

There are several important points about the nature of worship music presented in these verses: • “ Let the godly… ” There must be a sincere heart of godliness in those who sing praise to the Lord. Without honesty before God our song is “ making noise like a loud gong or clanging cymbal.” (1 Cor 13:1) • “ …sing with joy to the Lord,…sing with joy.” (1,3) Joy is the one quality that the world cannot du- plicate. It comes from a heart that is set free and united with Jesus. “ Yes, your joy will overflow.” (Jn. 15:11) • “ …for it is fitting to praise him.” (1) This is when mankind is at their highest purpose and most natural state, when they are joyfully praising the Lord. • “ Praise the Lord with melodies… ” Melody is the noblest part of music. Composers should seek excellence in this ‘best gift’ and use it in the service of God. • “ …on the lyre.”(2) This is referring to the small, 7 stringed harps of the Hebrew people that was the ‘guitar’ of the ancient world. The Egyptians had harps that were stationary with long bass strings that were used in their temple worship. • “ …make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.”(2) Perhaps there is a slight reference here to the place of harmony and accompaniment that is different to the melody. The ten-stringed harp is sim- ilar to the lute that is the main instrument of many middle-eastern nations today. • “ Sing new songs of praise to him; ” Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to sing an old song to God. Every encouragement in scripture is towards the new song, as he knows that we naturally gravi- tate backwards. Wherever the Holy Spirit is moving, there will be new songs; wherever there is regres- sion, there will be exclusively old tunes. In heaven there is a new song being sung before the throne of God and the Lamb: “ …the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense-the prayers of God’s people! And they sang a new song…” • “…play skillfully on the harp and sing for joy.” “…skillfully with a loud noise.”(NKJV) (3) ‘Skillfully’ has always been a requirement for the musicians of God’s kingdom as they minister before him and his people. “ Keneniah, the head Levite, was chosen as the choir leader because of his skill.”(1 Chron. 15:22)

II. HIS WORD - 4-9

“ For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth.”(4,5)

There is an allusion in these verses to the second person of the trinity. Jesus is the ‘ Word of God’ who is altogether good and full of truth and love. “ In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God…For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness (truth) came through Jesus Christ.”(Jn. 1:1, 17) “ The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let everyone in the world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.” (6-9)

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