A Psalm for the Lord’s Day

Introduction

I have this message titled: ‘A Psalm for the Lord’s Day

If you look at the introduction of the Psalm you see that it states ‘A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath Day’. The Sabbath is the day under the Mosaic Covenant that God commanded the COI to ‘keep holy’

Sunday is not the Sabbath - the Sabbath is the last day of the week Saturday - that didn’t change, but then again, we’re not under the Mosaic Covenant.

The Principle of the Sabbath - a day of rest and reflection is a good principle to adhere to. Not by commandment, but my example - going all the way back the week of Creation.

That being said, we’re going to rest in and reflect upon this Psalm today, and I believe that is we do, we’ll be the better for it.

As we begin to divide and examine this Psalm, we see that the first few verses I have titled ‘What’s Deemed Good’

I. What’s Deemed Good (v1-3)

Give Thanks (v1a)

The Bible says that it’s a Good thing to give thanks unto the LORD.

Of Course it is! This is what you would call a no-brainer.

Oftentimes, I think that we act much like we’re in a perpetual teenage stage when it comes to our relationship with the LORD. (Ill.) Teens are notorious for showing very little gratitude toward their parents. Oftentimes, they receive the daily blessings and benefits of their parents, but often take them for granted. However, if something doesn’t go their way and they are inconvenienced, they are quick to gripe about it!

Many Christians the majority of their communication to God is griping about what they think SHOULD be, complaining about blessings they feel others are receiving, yet they are not - just a very discontent attitude.

I find myself sometimes pondering upon what I think should be instead of thanking God for what is.

Listen, God’s been good to me! If I began counting my blessings right now, every moment I’d have another thank Him for, for every moment I breathe is a blessing and gift of God!

It’s good to give thanks - let us not forget to give God thanks!

Sing Praises (v1b)

It’s also good to sing praises unto the LORD.

One of the great things I enjoy is singing praises unto the LORD.

Not just in church - but at home, as I’m going about my day - just singing praises unto the LORD. It’s not only a joy unto me, but it’s a joy to God when His children sing praises unto Him.

I know that some are timid and don’t believe that they can sing, and so therefore hold back. (Ill.) Would you believe that there was a time when I was embarrassed to sing? The first time I let my parents hear me sing was from behind a shut door!

Sing unto the LORD church, it’s a good thing! Regardless of whether you’re a professional singer or not!

(If I were a betting man) I’d bet a dollar to a donut that God would rather hear one of His children - who love Him - singing His praises out of key, than a professional singer who doesn’t know Him singing skilfully.

It pleases God for His Children to sing His praises!

Shew Forth (v2-3)

This means ‘to display’ or ‘to declare’.

It’s a good thing to declare:

Lovingkindness

Lovingkindness (def) Tender regard; mercy; favor

It’s a good thing to declare God’s Lovingkindness

When I think of who I am and what I’ve done - I’m amazed at the tender-mercies of the LORD towards me. I think like Paul: Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Thank God for the next verse: Romans 7:25 “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…”

When’s the last time you’ve testified of what the LORD has done for you?

It’s a good thing to Declare God’s Lovingkindness

It’s also a good thing to display God’s Lovingkindness

That others might see tender regard and mercy displayed in your actions towards others.

It’s a good thing to Shew Forth Lovingkindness

Faithfulness

I thank God that He is Faithful!

It’s a good thing to Declare God’s Faithfulness!

Faithfulness (def) Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty

Our God is Faithful. He is loyal, firm, fixed in position. He’s faithful in:

Mercy, Truth, Judgment, Equity - He’s Faithful!

He’s Faithful to render Grace to those who seek it in Christ Jesus, and He’s Faithful to Judge those who reject Jesus!

It’s a Good thing to Declare God’s Faithfulness!

It’s also a good thing to Display God’s Faithfulness!

I think oftentimes we have a difficult time understanding what true faithfulness is.

Faithfulness is rare: Proverbs 20:6 “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: But a faithful man who can find?”

Yet, Faithfulness is required: 1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

It’s good to shew forth God’s Faithfulness

Continually

‘morning’, ‘every night’

Our shewing forth the goodness of God shouldn’t be an activity on Sundays, nor should it be when it’s convenient - but a way of life displayed every day.

Shew Forth Continually

With Solemnity

Solemnity (def) Religiously serious; piously grave; devout; marked by reverence to God

As we shew forth our:

Giving of Thanks

Singing our Praises

God’s Lovingkindness & Faithfulness Continually

We must remember that it’s a serious thing. It shouldn’t be taken or treated lightly, flippantly or irreverently. We should consider and be cognizant of what we’re doing.

Notice as well the context is music - music that rightly honors God is going to be music that:

Edifies HIM not us

Music that is Reverent, not rooted in Rebellion

In other words, Godly music, not worldly - because there is a difference.

It’s Good to Shew Forth our God with Solemnity

What is Deemed Good. Secondly, What He’s Given

II. What He’s Given (v4-9)

So the Psalmist says ‘This is good to do’ in v1-3; next he’s saying ‘This is why’ in v4-9

Gladness Through His Work (v4a)

I want you to know that I’m not a man without troubles.

(Ill.) I was shocked to hear one say to me recently that they ‘couldn’t imagine me going through struggles’ such as depression. I have days, & and I have struggles - but I can’t imagine what my life would be like without Jesus! He has made me glad through His Work and what He’s done!

I think Peter said it best: 1 Peter 1:3–8 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

Though I struggle at times, I have a joy that circumstance can’t take away! I have a PEACE that passeth ALL UNDERSTANDING!

I’ve been made Glad Through His Work!

Grace By His Work (v4b)

I experience a Grace, bestowed upon me because of the Work of Jesus Christ.

I am saved by the blood of the Lamb, I am going to Heaven when I die! And I do so Proudly, but no pride in myself, for I had nothing to do with it! JESUS SAVED ME FROM THE HELL I RIGHTLY DESERVED, AND WENT TO PREPARE FOR ME A HEAVEN THAT I DON’T!

I love the way Rom. 3 puts it: Romans 3:21–26 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

God has done it all!

I have been afforded Grace because of the Work of God!

Greatness In His Work (v5)

1 Chronicles 16:25 “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods.”

Psalm 96:4 “For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.”

Psalm 145:3 “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable.”

Church, consider how Great our God is and the Works that He’s performed!

He took nothing and from it made everything!

He cast the stars almost as an afterthought

He formed man from the dust & breathed into Him a living - NEVER DYING SOUL

He brought the animals before Adam to name

He Created everything good - but then saw that the man was alone and that it wasn’t good, so He Created woman from man

(I don’t know about you - but I’m thankful that God has given me my bride!)

Even after man sinned, God made them coats of skins to cover them

He called out a people

He parted the waters

He fed from manna from Heaven and water from a rock

He redeemed mankind

He sent His Son into this world to bear the sins of man

He SAVED MY SOUL!

This God that DID STILL DOES!

He still makes the dead alive

He still makes the barren fruitful

We have a Great God who performs Great Works!

Guarantee of Victory (v6-9)

Notice the surety:

They SHALL be destroyed - v7

They SHALL perish, they SHALL be scattered - v9

BUT My horn SHALT thou exalt!

Listen, we’re not defeated church.

I know when we look at our country or the world and see the wickedness is running rampant, YET WE ARE THE VICTORS!

We have ‘overcame him by the blood of the Lamb’ - Rev. 12:11!

We’re Guaranteed the Victory! We can praise Him because of that!

What’s Deemed Good - to Give Thanks, Sing Praises, Shew Forth…, Because of what He’s Given - Gladness Through Works, Grace BY Works… Lastly, we’ll see What Will be Gained

III. What Will be Gained (v10-15)

What is there to be gained?

Fresh Oil (v10)

Fresh Oil. This is what we need.

How many of you in your Christian walk get to the point to where you’re going through the motions? You’re not necessarily in sin, you’re just stagnant?

You need a fresh touch of the Holy Ghost. You need Fresh Oil - that’s what that’s a picture of. You need revival!

If this is you, and you don’t know where to start - START HERE!

GIVE THANKS

Sing Praises!

Shew Forth His Lovingkindness & Faithfulness - DECLARE THEM AND DISPLAY THEM!

REMEMBER:

Be Glad for the Work that He’s Done

The Grace that He Bestowed upon You

To Revel in the Greatness of our God

We are not Victims, we’re Victors! We’ve been Guaranteed the Victory

If you set your mind on those things, you’ll see Revival in your heart and life!

There’s Fresh Oil to be Gained

Flourishing (v12)

We see the word ‘Flourish’ used 3x in 3 verses (v12-14)

Christians, do you think God wants us to languish? God doesn’t want us to languish in this life, He desires for us to flourish!

But you see, what you need to decide is what does flourishing look like in the eyes of God?

(Read Act. 16:16-25)

These men weren’t languishing in prison - they were flourishing! God was using them in miraculous ways! If you continue reading the story, you see that God would continue to use them! That’s what a flourishing life in Christ looks like!

They were flourishing

Foundation (v13)

Those that are flourishing are planted in the House of God.

Let me just say this: You will never find a Christian truly flourishing who is not planted in the House of God. If they treat the House of God as if it’s just another place & it’s not priority to them, they will NOT flourish in this life.

They may have houses, they may have cars - but none of that impresses God!

They will have a foundation in the House of God

Fruit (v14)

Bearing Fruit church, that’s what it’s all about. Reproducing life - that’s what bearing fruit is.

Even in the twilight of life, they’re bearing fruit.

This is Result. This is what is to be Gained in this Sabbath Psalm.

Conclusion

Church let me ask you - are you bearing fruit? If not, why do you think that is?

Is God just not giving you opportunities to bear fruit? According to Jesus, He said: John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”