High Octane Praise Psalm 150
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R.C. Sproul From Dust to Glory!
“The disciples came to Jesus and asked him, please teach us to pray. And our Lord commenced to give the Lord’s prayer. Why didn’t Jesus go to the Psalms? Book of Psalms not properly book of prayers, but of praise! Learn to praise who is He, what He does, every area of life… in our worship, the sanctuary…
Key Truth: God is very great and done great things, therefore give him praise in all your life, especially in your worship.
Key Truth: God is very great and done great things, therefore give him praise in all your life, especially in your worship.!
Context:
Book V - Amazing Book of Praise. Turn back to 107:1,8,15,21,31
Hallels -; 113-118 = minor/Egyptian Hallel, 120-134 Psalms of Ascent going up worship
146-150 The Great Hallel
is the crescendo and apex of praise. Climax.
is the crescendo and apex of praise. Climax.
Dr. Alexander: “Nothing more majestic or more beautiful than this brief, but most significant finale as if in an emblematical allusion to the triumphant which amazes the Church and all its members, when through much tributation, reach full praise at Christ’s return -w hen He is all and in all!
as if in an emblematiced allusion to the truimphant which amazes the Church and all its members, when through much tributation
Short upbeat …repetitive - but not short substance! Wealth of truth on worship - not vain repetition - powerful to instruct!
High Octane of Pure Praise - timeless lessons on pure worship! Structure
Structure
1. Where to do it! In holiness and with heaven!
In his sanctuary - or translated in his holiness! Place of worship less important than the holy character of God
Mighty heavens/firmament - heavenly hosts praise him day and night!
Worship on earth is a heavenly act = sacraments like a window in this world = praise is too -= pack all the goodness of God getting through!
Sanctuary/Temple - place where worshipped by ancient church, passing of the temple - covenant of grace - now extended through out the world - no longer a snactuary or temple - meets with his people wherever they worship in Spirit and in truth!
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
But doesn’t mean - call to worship God in holiness - has expired in its application = we have the fullness vs. shadow.
Sanctuary was holy, because God in holiness dwelt there - = holy place, or holiness = intentional ambiguity =no holy places, but God is just as holy, and worship him in his holiness!
Central Truth in doctrine of worship = God is infinitely and unimaginably HOLY! = we must worship him on his terms with all due reverence and all due humility! = God is in his holy temple, let all within keep silence!
Our attitude to worship, must spring from acknowleging His holiness vs. man-centred, entertainment worship = problem of our times = no conceptions - but not look at others - how do I daily approach private and public worship = casual and unprepared, Attendance as sporadic = Baptist church 2 or 3 of services in month… Attendance negotiable! = Can you say You wroship Him in his holiness?
Reform worship with due respect of God’s holiness!
b) Firmament above - the vault of heaven, expanse above us, place where God and glorified saints dwell with HIm; Praise Him in the heights, angels, hosts! Call to worship - up there!
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
Call to heaven and earth to praise him in universe!
Key: find our place in the grand scope of universe praising - true worship on earth unites us with the purpose of glorified saints and angels in heaven!
= amazing fact = privilege of participating in praise of heaven, mingling with angels when worship on earth = therefore a foretaste of glory even now!
Like Stella, Leon, Henk - promise and foretaste - when we leave this world, - etenral calling and privilege = prelude and pledge to eternal praise
= business of heaven is our business is our on earth!
2. Why of Worship: God’s Acts & God’s Attributes
Two comprehensive matters = mighty acts = salvation; character = highest standard of commitment
Reason enough that God is Creator, but why praise God - why in debt…
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
a. Mighty Acts - creation, providence (sustains), and mostly redemption by God, and salvation in our lives! Exodus, Exiles return = reveal love for His people = conclusion in Jesus Christ = mightiest act = provision of Son as Saviour = mightiest act of mercy = work of Christ - atoning… = God revealing His Sovereign might!
a. Mighty Acts - creation, providence (sustains), and mostly redemption by God, and salvation in our lives! Exodus, Exiles return = reveal love for His people = conclusion in Jesus Christ = mightiest act = provision of Son as Saviour = mightiest act of mercy = work of Christ - atoning… = God revealing His Sovereign might!
Focus on what God has done, and responds to objective works of God in past; response to …not with our desires and our tastes central = thankful focus on what God has done, not what we desire!
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Pter 2:9
Our worship and witness are in God’s accomplishments
b. Excellent Greatness - more essential than what done, who He is = Show His Attributes - regardless of what He does or will do - not since good to us, but just deserving of praise
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
JOB - devil “you only serve God because of God’s done for you… but point is we owe God our praise for who He is - our duty to praise even if stripped of every good thing and blessing! = true worship is free from encumbrance of self-interest! But even more joyful when take into account blessing!
JOB - devil “you only serve God because of God’s done for you… but point is we owe God our praise for who He is - our duty to praise even if stripped of every good thing and blessing! = true worship is free from encumbrance of self-interest! But even more joyful when take into account blessing!
Formula: according to his excellent greatness!
= our worship is to correspond with His greatness = highest standards of fervrency ; in this life always fall short - but standard should cause us to strive to be better worshippers, more sincere, prepared, committed too!
3. How to Worship: (v.3-5) With Vibrancy & Vitality!
Main body of the Psalm!
Temple Instruments - shophar - announces reign of King, indicated call to worsihp by preists Number 10:2;
Timbrel and Dance indicated victory celebrations; Lute, harp, cymbals typically used by Levites in the temple!
Ancient form - vibrancy and vitally of worship! NT adds the simplicity and unanimity of the new covenant - most vibrant instrument, not a trained choir but a faithful heart, and the most symphonic sound is the one mouth of God’s people
- ie recovery in Geneva - travelers what is that sound - not bands, choirs, but simple pure hearty loud praise!
Listen not talking about worship today necessarily - but no more sacrfice… ie sung, but thinking of X’s final and fulfilled, so too instruments?
ie. trumpet call to arms, timbrel -victory with dancing, lute, harp, timbrel = Levites playing in temple… use of incense and animal sacrifices - all fulfilled, so with sanctuary fulfilled with no physical temple, worships… no example or command in the NT … temple and form of worship in the temple, passed away and replaced with something better! A cappela = as in chapel - pure simple worship of church when at its strongest! = historic practice of the church =
Even exlcusive psalmody with out instruments = still say point is that vitallity and vibrancy of worship - with or without instruments = add simplicity and equinimity = we are a nation of priest = not dependent on priest, Levites, anywhere = nopt dependent on temple - worship in full light of Christ’s work. The New Covenant has brought freedom and simplicity!
Paul picturing heart as an instrument to be plucked - making melody in your heart to the Lord = faithful heart is the new instrument of new covenant worship!
Christ has given us new instrument = heart of faith = renewed = only need desire to lift your voice to your Saviour!
4. Who Offer this pure praise? All things, but especially all you know God as LORD!
Sticks out - no limits - expansive vision anticipates the end of time! When every creature that has breath will praise the Lord.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
For now, our calling and purpose and our witness to the world = no better summarized than by Hallelujah = why last week not broken hallelujah, despairing - but anticipated =
For now, our calling and purpose and our witness to the world = no better summarized than by Hallelujah = why last week not broken hallelujah, despairing - but anticipated =
Psalm begins with dual call to worship -sanct, heavens; but Psalm ends not content to stop there - worthy of praise of all of creation = merismus everything in between = every living thing under obligation to worship
Animal kingdom in keeping with capacity and purpose do this: walk in woods = veritable symphony of noises!
Not mere noise but answering Creator - but those creatures in God's image - articulate praise and spiritual service = Are you just parroting noise - articulating the thoughts of your heart, filled with the Spirit of your God!/=
Amazing end of Psalms = universal like Bible = this is our calling = to worship - but to take this call to worship to the world! John Piper = missions = Let the Nations Rejoice - only missions because praise doesn’t exist, time when missions done, not worship!
One bold stroke tells us why we have breathe at all = to praise the Lord
The reason for our being is to praise the LORD!
James tells us can’t be that curse and bless with same lips!
Anticipates the time when this will be fulfilled, when every knee bow = admit the praise of Christ He so deserves!
Anticipates the time when this will be fulfilled, when every knee bow = admit the praise of Christ He so deserves!
God is worthy of far more praise, than we a little flock can offer to him, He will have the praise of everything that has breathe.
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
God is worthy of far more praise, than we a little flock can offer to him, He will have the praise of everything that has breathe.
saw fulfillment with every living creature = heavens above, earth below, and water beneath = worshiping God = not all to saving faith, but part of reconciling of all things is the subjugation of enemies - they will acknowledge even his justice
saw fulfillment with every living creature = heavens above, earth below, and water beneath = worshiping God = not all to saving faith, but part of reconciling of all things is the subjugation of enemies - they will acknowledge even his justice
Either by salvation or subjugation or mercy or by justice, all things will be reconciled to God in Christ = Expansive vision of the consummation = every tongue confess!
Not book of praise -= for one small people, or one part of the church - but for everything that has breathe, but until then = call to world and to you
End: Hallelujah - command to worship plural imperative given to all people… not an invitation or suggestion, but authoritative command - our singular purpose and duty to praise him as long we have breath!
Hallelujah - command to worship
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
Psalm 144:
Cry in early Israel - Lord your God is our God… Preface 10 Commandments - is the LORD, = who is He? Amazingly enough - whoever calls on name -will be saved Amos, If you confess Jesus as Lord = ultimately who is the LORD it is Jesus, Jehovah in the flesh, - to die in our sinful condition - so people like us have access to God of heaven! = Hallel u JAH = the LORD! singing the psalms to LORD Jesus =
Because He is very great! Holds the power of the universe in his hands - = rule in midst of your enemies… youth as the dew