Hallelujah, Thine The Glory (2)

Good morning Allons Baptist Church!

Declaration:

This is my Bible. It is God’s Holy Word. It is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and I will hide its words within my heart that I might not sin against God! Amen!!!

Biblical Reference: Psalm 113

I have asked God regularly to reveal to me where we needed to start together in His Word, and it finally settled in my heart.

God has worked tremendously in our home since this process started and He has blessed us beyond measure. Every day, we are experiencing new blessings from Him, and we really cannot even put it into words.

I have heard many of you say similar things concerning how God has worked in and through this time for your church.

With that being said, I felt a peace in my heart that we should start our journey together by giving Him praise! Amen!!!

Context

For the next couple of weeks we are going to walk through Psalms 113-118. These Psalms have been rendered as Psalms of praise, among others throughout the book. More specifically, they are known as the “Hallel” Psalms.

The Hebrew word for praise is “Hallel”. As you can notice in this Psalm, it begins and ends with the same phrase, “Praise the Lord”!

In Hebrew, this phrase equates to “Hallel, Jah”. Hallel meaning praise and Jah, being a shortened version of the name of God, Yahweh.

When put together, we get the phrase “Hallel, Jah”, or as we would say it today: Hallelujah!!

I don’t exactly know how much truth there is to it, but I have heard it told that this phrase is the only phrase in human language that is exactly the same in every language. Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!!!

All of the Psalms are special in their own way, but these particular Psalms form a group of songs that were used in Bible times as part of their religious festivals. These psalms were especially important in the celebration of Passover. In Jewish homes everywhere, Psalms 113-114 were sung before the Passover meal, and Psalms 115-118 were sung at the close of the meal. This custom makes these particular psalms especially significant for us who follow Jesus Christ. Our Lord sang these very songs as He observed Passover and instituted the Lord’s Supper with His disciples before His crucifixion.

Content

Praise for Who He Is (vs. 1-4)

The Praise of His Name (vs. 1-3)

The name of God is a personal disclosure and reveals His desire to have a relationship with His people. His name is known only because He chooses to make it known. To the Hebrew mind, God was both hidden and revealed, transcendent and immanent. Even though He was mysterious, lofty, and unapproachable, He bridged the gap with mankind by revealing His name.

The covenant name for God was “Yahweh.” This name was so unique and powerful that God formed a covenant with His people based upon His self-revelation. The name of God was so powerful, that they would not spell the whole Word out. They would only use the consonants: YHWH.

The divine name reveals God’s power, authority, and holiness. This accounts for Israel’s great reverence for God’s name.

The name of God is so reverent that a commandment actually made it into the ten commandments regarding it: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” Did you know that the breaking of that commandment was punishable by death? That’s right. When you took God’s name in vain, they killed you. It was understood by everyone, from the young to the old, that you simply did not do that, at all, ever!!!

That is how much glory, reverence, and respect they gave to God. His name was above every name. His name above everything else. His name was only spoken of with reverence and respect. It was never cursed; it was never used illegitimately; they feared His name. It was mighty, heavenly, glorified, and majestic!

Prophets spoke with authority when they uttered God’s name. Oaths taken in God’s name were considered binding, and battles fought in the name of God were victorious. Other nations would fear Israel not because it was a mighty nation but because it rallied under the Lord’s name.

God’s name was reverenced so much, it was used discreetly, as you can imagine. Because of this, other names for the Lord were used as well. One of those names was the name “El”.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Names of God

El is a generic term for God or deity.

The unique thing about this name for God is that it is used many times in conjunction with other terms to explain the character of God.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Names of God

The name El is frequently combined with other nouns or adjectives. Some examples are: Isra-el (One who is ruled by God), Beth-el (House of God), Peni-el (Face of God). In the crucifixion narrative (Mark 15:34) Jesus employed a form of El when he cried from the cross, “Eloi, Eloi,” “My God, My God,” quoting Ps. 22.

Mark 15:34 NKJV

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

In this particular text, we see the Almighty character of God.

He is to be praised.

We are His servants (v. 1)

His name is blessed and is to be praised (v. 1,2,3)

He is high above the nations and even above the heavens (v. 4)

There is none like Him (v. 5)

He raises the poor, lifts the needy, and blesses the barren (v. 7; 9)

The name referred to here is “El-Shaddai” or “God Almighty”.

Jeremiah 10:6 NKJV

6 Inasmuch as there is none like You, O Lord (You are great, and Your name is great in might),

Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

The Praise of His Majesty (vs. 4-5)

The psalmist proclaimed the matchless glory of the Lord, establishing that He alone is worthy of our praise. He is the supreme ruler over the entire universe. None can compare to Him.

He is exalted high above all nations and even the universe (v. 4)

He is “Lord” over all nations.

Lord means master. He is not just the master of those who accept Him. He is master over all nations. Many will rebel against Him, and many do now today, but in the end they will still answer to the one and only supreme ruler of the universe.

He is Lord over “all nations”.

His love and grace is extended to all nations, not just those who accept Him. He is enough and He has enough. His love is endless and His grace is everlasting.

1 Timothy 1:17 NKJV

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

He is incomparable - set apart from all else (v. 5)

Deuteronomy 3:24 NKJV

24 ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?

There is no other like our God. He is the one and only true God of the universe.

2 Kings 19:15 NKJV

15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.

Praise For What He Does (vs. 6-9)

His Humbling Insight (vs. 6)

His Honoring Intervention (vs. 7-9)

The Bible teaches us that God is omniscient. “Omni” means “All” & “Science” means “Knowledge”. That means that God is “All-Knowing”. He sees everything!!!

For some, this strikes fear. Mostly because they are willingly living a life that is unpleasing to God. But I want you to know that knowing this about God can also, and should, instill hope within us.

God does see my imperfections, but He is a gracious God. If I am seeking His face in my life; if I am giving myself wholly to Him; If I am giving Him the praise that He deserves, He sees where I need His help.

Psalms III: Chapters 107–150 (King James Version) Psalm 113: Why You Should Worship and Praise the Lord, 113:1–9

God’s unfathomable love for humanity has been demonstrated most profoundly by His providing salvation for the fallen human race. The LORD mercifully saves us—the poor sinners of the earth—from the depths of despair, shame, and death (v. 7). Poor (dal) speaks of those who are low, helpless, and weak. Here, it refers to those who are spiritually destitute, trapped in the miry depths of sin and unable to save themselves

Psalms III: Chapters 107–150 (King James Version) Psalm 113: Why You Should Worship and Praise the Lord, 113:1–9

Stating that the LORD lifts the needy out of the dunghill or ash heap, the psalmist compares our spiritual condition to the social condition of the outcasts in Jewish society. Commentator Warren Wiersbe explains that “the ash heap was the gathering place of the outcasts of the city, the unwanted poor, and the diseased (Job 2:8).” Because we are sinners, there is no place for us in God’s presence. We are spiritual outcasts, diseased with the leprosy of sin and condemned to eternal separation from God.

Psalms III: Chapters 107–150 (King James Version) Psalm 113: Why You Should Worship and Praise the Lord, 113:1–9

But the LORD, in love and mercy, lifts us out of the ash heap of sin. He heals us of our spiritual affliction, cleansing us from the stain of sin through the precious blood of His Son. We are no longer outcasts but children of the King! He exalts us as princes, seating us with Christ in heavenly places (v. 8; Ep. 2:6).

Psalms III: Chapters 107–150 (King James Version) Psalm 113: Why You Should Worship and Praise the Lord, 113:1–9

This image of God humbling Himself and stooping down to save us is carried out in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. As John wrote so beautifully, “The Word was made flesh and dwelled among us” that we might dwell with Him throughout eternity (Jn. 1:14). The Apostle Paul wrote of the blessed humility of our Lord who came down to our level that He might rescue us from the depths of sin

Philippians 2:5–8 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

He came down that we might go up. He humbled Himself that we might be exalted. He became the king of sin, that we might become slaves unto righteousness.

He paid a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt that we could not pay.

2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV

15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Hallelujah!!!

Not just in salvation, but also in sanctification!

Psalms III: Chapters 107–150 (King James Version) Psalm 113: Why You Should Worship and Praise the Lord, 113:1–9

Being unable to bear children was the worst fate imaginable for Old Testament women. The barren woman bore great grief because she could not give her husband children and a legacy. In addition, she suffered agonizing guilt, for she viewed her fruitless womb as the result of God’s displeasure with her. Consequently, she felt alienated from God.

But God, out of tender compassion, saves the barren woman from her condition. He stoops down to touch her womb, providing her with children and a household where she can joyfully serve her family. He meets her every need, especially her deep need to give her husband children and to be a nurturing mother.

Is that not amazing? God cares enough about us, that He wants us to have meaning and purpose in our lives.

He does not want to see us waist our time here on Earth, but rather put forth our energy to something that is beyond us; something eternal.

Hallelujah!

Commitment

I know in my heart that there is someone listening to this message today that is struggling with this.

God has called you by name. God has made it abundantly clear today that he wants you. He has filled your heart with conviction and is drawing you through the presence of His Holy Spirit. Or maybe He has filled your heart with an overwhelming joy because of your salvation and relationship to Him. Either way, He is inviting you to come.

Heads bowed and eyes closed.

Say prayer for the lost and see if anyone responds.

“God You are amazing! I don’t know why You would love me, but I feel Your love right now in my heart. I don’t deserve Your forgiveness, but You promised in Your Word, that if I would believe in Your Son Jesus with my heart and confess Him publicly as my Lord and Savior, You would save me! God, I believe and I will confess. I ask You to save me from my sin and remove the desire for sin out of my heart. I pledge myself to you from this day on and for all eternity. Here I am, use me for Your glory! Amen!!!”

Call for saved to come and pray