Untitled Sermon (11)

Preaching the Word: The Psalms, Volume 1—Rejoice, the Lord Is King (Psalms 1 to 41) Chapter 33: Shout for Joy! (Psalm 33)

WHEN I WAS A BOY, one of my jobs was to light the coals when we grilled hamburgers on our back patio. I was always impatient for the coals to light. I could not walk away and wait for the fire to spread. So I blew and blew on the parts that were glowing red to spread the fire to the rest of the coals. I felt a sense of satisfaction when I saw an orange flame hold steady among the coals.

The psalmist is doing much the same thing in Psalm 33. He is blowing on the coals of our hearts so they will catch fire with worship and praise. Since he is speaking to the righteous and the upright, even godly Christians must need the breath of the Holy Spirit to blow on their hearts so they catch fire. So my aim in this study is to fan our hearts into flame. I want to stir a fire of joy and praise and worship in our hearts.

Psalm 33 is closely connected with Psalm 32. Psalm 32 describes the blessing and joy of those God has forgiven. David ends that psalm with a command.

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11)

The first verse of Psalm 33 repeats this command with almost the same words.

Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous!

Praise befits the upright.

It is as if Psalm 33 was written as an extension of Psalm 32. The words they share are like stitches that join these psalms together at the seam. Because Psalm 33 does not have a heading, these two are joined together as one psalm in ten Hebrew manuscripts.1

Psalm 32 describes the blessing of forgiveness. Psalm 33 follows as a song of joy.2 So in many ways Psalm 33 is the song of the forgiven, a song of praise for those whose sin God does not count against them. It is a song for you today if you are a Christian.

The psalmist fans our hearts into flame with a call to worship, cause for worship, and confidence from worship.

Call to Worship

Verses 1–3 are an energetic call to worship. The psalmist describes loud, joyful worship with musicians, singers, and worshipers praising God together. There are times to be still before the Lord, but this is not one of those times. If your sins are forgiven, you will want to make some noise!

A Joyful Shout

The call to worship begins with verse 1.

Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous!

Praise befits the upright.

A better translation for “shout for joy” here is “yell.”3 It can mean yelling for joy, but it can sometimes mean a yell of anguish or despair. Here it is obviously an excited shout because we are so happy.

Imagine a high school senior waiting for his college acceptance letter. The day finally comes when that letter arrives. He tears it open with trembling fingers and reads the first line, “We are pleased to offer you a place in the freshman class …” and he doesn’t get any farther. He drops the letter and yells, “Yahoo! Mom, Dad, I got in!” This is the sort of excited, undignified shout in verse 1.

What could cause that sort of joy and excitement? The psalmist commands us to shout for joy “in the LORD” (v. 1). Grammatically God himself is the cause of this commotion.4 It’s all about him! When you have felt the weight of your sin like David describes in Psalm 32:3, 4 and then felt God’s forgiveness, your heart sings for joy to this God. His goodness and generosity are beautiful to you. His kindness takes your breath away.

Who else can praise God like this? The unbelieving world certainly can’t. The angels can’t because they have not sinned and been forgiven. The seraphim around the throne cannot praise God like we can because they have not experienced his goodness like we have. So it is a beautiful thing when God’s people get carried away and shout their praise to God.

We need to be clear that there is a difference between godly emotions in our worship and what I will call emotionalism. There are plenty of religious showmen who know how to manipulate people. A friend of mine is a worship pastor who grew up in a church that worked on people’s emotions. Since he is from that background, he knows exactly what to do to get people to cheer or to cry at the right moment. The psalmist is not talking about manipulation or emotionalism.

Rather Psalm 33 is talking about an honest emotional reaction to an experience of the greatness and glory of God. If you drive southeast from Seattle on a clear day, you will see Mount Rainier in the distance. As you get closer, you might come to an overlook where you can pull the car over so you can get out and take it in. Mount Rainier is a massive volcano that towers 14,400 feet above sea level. When you stand at the foot of this huge mountain, you might say, “Wow! Will you look at that!” No one has to tell you to say this—it is an honest emotional reaction. In our worship we should present the majesty and glory of God so clearly and so compellingly that men and women naturally praise him with genuine, heartfelt emotions.

Joyful Music

In verses 2, 3 the psalmist calls for loud, joyful music that is proper and fitting for godly, upright people.

Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;

make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. (33:2, 3)

Worship should be accompanied by instruments. This is the first time that musical instruments are mentioned in the Psalms. Israel worshiped God with a variety of instruments including strings, winds, and percussion (cf. Psalm 150:3–5). Here the psalmist commands us to use stringed instruments to worship God.

Some Christians believe that it is wrong to use instruments in church. I don’t agree with them because the New Testament tells us to speak to one another in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). If we sing the psalms, we can hardly avoid the many references to musical instruments. It would be strange if Paul wanted us to speak the psalms to each other but not do what they say. Psalm 33 is one of the many psalms that endorse musical instruments for Christian worship.

Worship should also be fresh. This is the idea behind the command, “sing to him a new song” (v. 3). Believers in every generation experience God’s grace for themselves, and their musicians should write new songs with creative joy. Those of us in the English-speaking world have inherited a wonderful treasury of great songs and hymns from earlier generations. But if God is at work today, the music we already have is not enough. We need new songs too.

In the sixteenth century Martin Luther wrote new songs as God worked during the Protestant Reformation. In the eighteenth century Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley wrote new songs that fueled worship during the First Great Awakening. In the nineteenth century the blind hymn-writer Fanny Crosby wrote new songs for her generation. God is giving us new songs in the twenty-first century too. Stuart Townend and Keith Getty wrote “In Christ Alone” in 2001. Chris Tomlin wrote “How Great Is Our God” in 2005. Musicians are writing new arrangements for the words of older hymns too. I think of Bob Kauflin from Sovereign Grace, Page CXVI, and Fernando Ortega. When a new generation experiences God’s grace, they write new songs to praise him.

This is important for us if we want to teach the next generation to worship. I was driving home with a car full of teenagers several months ago when Matt Redman’s song “Ten Thousand Reasons” came on. They had been chattering away until then, but they all stopped and sang along for the rest of the ride home.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

Worship His holy name.

Sing like never before, O my soul,

I’ll worship your holy name.5

As I listened to them, it occurred to me that these were almost the exact same words that Andrae Crouch put to music forty years ago, in 1973.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me

Bless his holy name.

He has done great things. (x3)

Bless his holy name!6

These teenagers stopped to sing the Matt Redman song, but they would not have stopped to sing the Andrae Crouch version. The new song spoke to their hearts in a way the older music did not. Our worship music should be fresh.

Worship should also be led with musical excellence. The psalmist calls on the musicians to “play skillfully” (v. 3). We should be thankful for the amount of time our musicians put in to practice and rehearse so they can lead us well in worship. A good goal for Sunday morning is undistracting excellence. The purpose of playing skillfully is not for a musician to show off how good he or she is. The reason for skillful playing is to honor God and help his people praise him without distracting them with wrong notes.

Worship should also be enthusiastic. “Loud shouts” (v. 3) can sometimes mean a war cry or a cry of alarm.7 When used for praising God, it shows again the energy, emotion, and enthusiasm that is proper and fitting when we are cheering for such a great King. John Piper spoke about this in a letter to his congregation some years ago:

Two people recently asked me what I would feel like if they said “Amen!” when something moved them. Now the only reason anyone would ask that is if they are getting wrong signals. The answer is: We would feel great! It’s the same with lifting your hands in praise. When it is in your heart, do it! Anything that helps you express your heart for God and does not hinder other people is OK with us. We want life in the sanctuary on Sunday.8

Our personalities are all different, of course. For some people, a deep, heartfelt “Hmm” means their heart is really moved. We need to allow others to respond to truth and the beauty of Jesus Christ as God has wired them. Ultimately God is listening to our hearts, and he hears a quiet groan as clearly as a shout.

Cause for Worship

After this call to worship, the psalmist gives us cause for worship. In verses 4–19 the psalmist fans the coals of our hearts with three main reasons for praising God. He calls us to worship God because of his word, his will, and his watchfulness. It is hard to get excited about nothing. The joy and energy of verses 1–3 are rooted in the truth and theology of verses 4–19. Great worship grows out of great doctrine.

God’s Word

The first cause for worship is the character of God we see through his word.

For the word of the LORD is upright,

and all his work is done in faithfulness.

He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,

and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;

he puts the deeps in storehouses. (33:4–7)

God’s word cannot be separated from God himself. His Spirit is as close to his word as breath is to speech. This means that God’s word is “upright” (v. 4) because God himself is upright. The word “upright” means straight and level. Nothing God says is crooked or deceptive—it is always and everywhere true. God’s work cannot be separated from God himself either. God works in this world through his word, as he did in the days of creation. His works, then, are an extension of his word and reveal his character as well.

So God’s character is reflected in everything he says and does. Since he spoke the world into existence, his glory is reflected in his work of creation. The earth overflows with his steadfast love. The more we study the world around us, the more clearly we see God’s character displayed. The order in the universe displays the order of God’s character. The beauty in the world displays the goodness of God’s heart; he could have made the world an ugly place in which to live, but he made it beautiful for us to enjoy. He designed food chains to nourish entire ecosystems.

Gerard Manley Hopkins said it well.

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.

It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;

It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil

Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?

Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;

And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;

And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil

Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;

There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;

And though the last lights off the black West went

Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent

World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.9

The earth could have been filled with endless terrors, but instead God filled it generously with grace. Men and women live in the sea of God’s goodness like a fish lives in the water. Yet many don’t see it! Everyone—Jew or Gentile—should worship this God.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;

let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!

For he spoke, and it came to be;

he commanded, and it stood firm. (33:8, 9)

God’s Will

The second reason for our worship is God’s will.

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

the plans of his heart to all generations. (33:10, 11)

This could be referring to some plot to attack Israel as a nation, of course. But in the context of the psalms it seems natural to think of “the counsel of the nations” (v. 10) in terms of Psalm 2. The nations have set themselves against God and Christ, the King. The words are not exactly the same in Hebrew, but the idea is the same.

Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.” (2:1–3)

So when Psalm 33:10 says he “brings the counsel of the nations to nothing,” I take this ultimately to mean that God blocks the world’s opposition to Jesus Christ. All their plotting is pointless. God pops their plans like a balloon. Instead God’s will and his purposes will stand forever. His plan for the universe is to set Christ on the throne of the universe and to bring all things under Christ (Psalm 2:5–9; Ephesians 1:10). So we praise him!

God’s will is wonderful news for God’s people because it means our salvation. God’s plan is to honor Christ, and we are blessed because we are in Christ. This is why he says,

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! (33:12)

The psalmist is thinking especially of the nation of Israel as he writes this. In the fullness of time, though, the mystery of God’s plan would be revealed that God includes Gentiles as natural-born citizens with his people. The Apostle Peter describes Gentile Christians as God’s people, his nation.

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 Peter 2:9)

God has chosen believers to be his heritage (Ephesians 1:18). Someday ethnic Israel will turn to Jesus Christ, and this blessing will finally be fulfilled in them too.

God’s Watchfulness

The third reason for our worship is God’s watchfulness.

The LORD looks down from heaven;

he sees all the children of man;

from where he sits enthroned he looks out

on all the inhabitants of the earth,

he who fashions the hearts of them all

and observes all their deeds. (Psalm 33:13–15)

God’s eye is on everyone—male and female, young and old, great and small—and he considers everything we do. The word “observes” (v. 15) has the sense of perceiving or understanding. God does not merely see what we do—he understands what we are doing.

This complete knowledge is terrifying to those who do not know God. But God’s complete knowledge is an immense comfort to his people. If God knows everything, he can protect us from everything and provide in every situation.

The king is not saved by his great army;

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

The war horse is a false hope for salvation,

and by its great might it cannot rescue.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,

on those who hope in his steadfast love,

that he may deliver their soul from death

and keep them alive in famine. (33:16–19)

Do you fear the Lord? God sees. He understands all the small ways you are trying to honor him and put him first. No one else may understand, but he knows your heart. And since he knows all things, he can protect you and provide for you in every situation. God’s complete knowledge means complete care.

The joyful worship of verses 1–3 is fueled by the powerful truths of verses 4–19. The psalmist calls us to worship God for his reliable word, his enduring will, and his watchful protection.

Confidence from Worship

Finally the psalmist describes the faith that comes from heartfelt worship. The psalm began with a shout; it ends with quiet Christian confidence. There is a place for both.

The point of worshiping God with energy and joy is not just to feel good or to have an amazing experience. The end result of true worship is stronger faith. If you worship in spirit and in truth on Sunday, you are strengthening your heart to trust God in the coming week. This is what we all want for ourselves in our churches. We want to strengthen our faith in God together as we worship him together.

Our soul waits for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.

For our heart is glad in him,

because we trust in his holy name.

Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,

even as we hope in you. (33:20–22)

These verses are plural throughout because the psalmist still has all God’s people in mind. Relationships are vital for our spiritual growth and health. We praise him together because his Word is reliable, his will for us in Christ is unshakable, his watchful care is unwavering. And we wait together—we know he is “our help and our shield” (v. 20). We wait together as Sunday school classes, asking God to answer our prayers. We wait for the Lord with others in small groups. Waiting is group work—we stand together and strengthen each other’s faith.

The psalm comes full circle. When we trust God, he gives us a quiet gladness that is like a smoldering coal, ready to burst into flame again with praise. We should praise God with joy and energy as we hope in him.

There's an old Greek proverb that says, "The bow that is always bent will soon break." What that proverb seems to be implying is that the bow that is always under pressure, that never has an opportunity to release or let go, will soon break into a million pieces. If there was ever a proverb that fits the society in which we live, this is it.

uniquely characterizes these pilgrim songs, as it is filled with the imagery of one who is on a journey. It reminds us that life is a journey and we cannot make it safely to the destination alone. The Lord is the only one who is able to help you safely make it through the journey of life.

, is tailored to teach us how to fan our hearts into flame.

uniquely characterizes these pilgrim songs, as it is filled with the imagery of one who is on a journey. For this reason, it is one of the most famous and beloved psalms. It reminds us that life is a journey. And we cannot make it safely to the destination alone. There are times when we join the psalmist in asking, “From where does my help come?” The Lord is the only one who is able to help you safely make it through the journey of life.

CHARLES SPURGEON wrote: “The purposes of God; the divine attributes; the providence, predestination, and proved faithfulness of the Lord – these are the hills to which we must lift our eyes, and from these our help must come.” Where does your help come from?

WHEN I WAS A BOY, one of my jobs was to light the coals when we grilled hamburgers on our back patio. I was always impatient for the coals to light. I could not walk away and wait for the fire to spread. So I blew and blew on the parts that were glowing red to spread the fire to the rest of the coals. I felt a sense of satisfaction when I saw an orange flame hold steady among the coals.

gives two reasons why you should trust the Lord to get you through the journey of life.

Many people, like that bow, are strung out, full of tension, turmoil, fear, and frustration. If one more thing enters their lives, they will snap. If I had to choose one word to summarize how people feel today, I would have to choose the word worried. People are worried today. Many of you have come here with certain concerns on your mind. Some of you are wondering about finances. Others are wondering about unemployment. Some of you parents are worried about your children. Some of you children are worried about your parents.

So my aim in this sermon is to fan our hearts into flame.

The psalmist is doing much the same thing in . He is blowing on the coals of our hearts so they will catch fire with worship and praise. Since he is speaking to the righteous and the upright, even godly Christians must need the breath of the Holy Spirit to blow on their hearts so they catch fire. So my aim in this study is to fan our hearts into flame. I want to stir a fire of joy and praise and worship in our hearts.

I grew up in rural Ohio, and sometimes the level of our boredom got to the point where my friends and I would get together late at night and go haunted-house hunting. We'd usually find one down a dusty, narrow lane, where you could hear the shrubs scraping like fingernails against the car. We'd get out of the car in pitch darkness. The wind would be whistling through the trees, and a hoot owl would be singing his song. The house would be just like you would imagine: a dark, gray, imposing figure with the windows broken out and the shutters falling off. The broken picket fence always had a squeaky gate that swung lazily back and forth. We'd go into the house and turn on the flashlight. If you were to reach out and touch us at that moment, you'd have to peel us off the ceiling. Every step was one of caution. Every step was one of concern. Every step was one of worry, because we didn't know what was waiting for us around the corner. Could we handle it when we found out?

gives two reasons why you should trust the Lord to get you through the journey of life.

I. THE LORD IS OUR HELPER.

is closely connected with . describes the blessing and joy of those God has forgiven. David ends that psalm with a command.

The key word of verses 1-2 is help. It means aid, relief, or support but it is more than that. The word is not used of one who assists as you lead the way. It is used of one who rescues you from a crisis you cannot overcome on your own.

Many people are living their lives as if they're in a haunted house. Every step is one of caution, concern, and worry. You ask yourself, "Can I handle what is just around the corner?" If you've never worried, don't worry; you will. You see, worry has a way of coming into our lives at the most inconvenient and inopportune times. Once worry grabs you, it can squeeze out every joy of living. Instead of overcoming, you'll be overwhelmed. That's worry: a formidable foe. The question, then, is how can you and I handle worry when it comes our way. It's not if; it's when.

Help is protection from danger, strength for burdens, and deliverance from trouble. Verses 1-2 address the need for help with a truth you should accept and a testimony you should adopt.

God has a lot to say about how to deal with stress and anxiety and worry. I found an Old Testament formula that God has given us for dealing with our worries. It's found in , a praise or worship psalm. It was sung during the time of the Feast of the Tabernacles, when the children of Israel would give God glory and praise for the way he had provided for them. This psalm is broken up into two calls to worship: verses 1 through 5 and then verses 6 and 7. The psalmist clearly tells us that when we focus upon the greatness of God, we will worship rather than worry. Our focus determines how we handle the issues and problems that enter our lives.

A. THE TRUTH YOU SHOULD ACCEPT.

The key word of verses 1-2 is help. It means aid, relief, or support. But it is more than that. The word is not used of one who assists as you lead the way. It is used of one who rescues you from a crisis you cannot overcome on your own. Help is protection from danger, strength for burdens, and deliverance from trouble. Verses 1-2 address the need for help with a truth you should accept and a testimony you should adopt.

A. THE TRUTH YOU SHOULD ACCEPT.

As the psalmist lifts up his eyes to the hills, he asks, “From where does my help come?”

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,

Psalm 32:11 ESV

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

The psalmist says that in order for us to deal with worry effectively, we must have a proper focus. Focus comes through worship. The psalmist gives us three reasons why we should worship and not worry. The first is found in verses 1 through 5. Notice how the Hebrews worshiped God. They came before him with unashamed enthusiasm, proclaiming him as their rescuer and redeemer. In verse one the psalmist says, "Sing for joy," and in verse two he says, "Extol him with music." The words shout joyfully literally mean "come before God with a ringing shout."

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! ()

The psalm begins with a statement and a question: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” This opening statement, “I lift up my eyes to the hills,” is enigmatic. It is a simple statement. But the context is unclear. It could be that the psalmist looked to the hills with concern, as he began his journey to Jerusalem and considered the road ahead. Or it could be that he looked to the hills with hope, as he saw Jerusalem in the distance and neared the end of his journey. Either way, it caused him to ask: “From where does my help come?”

This question confronts us with a fact of life: You need help! The journey is long. The road is rough. The burdens are heavy. The climb is steep. The dangers are many. It is impossible for you to make the journey alone.

You need help but the help you need may not be easy to find. Or it may not be found in the most obvious places. In asking, “From where does my help come?” the psalmist confesses that he is not able to help himself.

This is the reality of life. You need help. This is the truth you should accept.

The first verse of repeats this command with almost the same words.

I learned from the KING JAMES VERSION that reads: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” That translation suggests the psalmist looked to the hills for help. But that is clearly not the case. Verse 1 records a question and a statement. As the psalmist lifts up his eyes to the hills, he asks, “From where does my help come?”

B. THE TESTIMONY YOU SHOULD ADOPT.

When I lived in Houston, Texas, I was the chaplain for the Astros and the Oilers. After I'd lead a chapel service, they'd give me tickets. One time in the Astrodome, I watched Earl Campbell run over everybody, his own men included, to get to the goal line. When he got to the goal line, he put the ball down. The place went crazy. People were giving high fives and jumping around. The scoreboard went off. The same thing happened when the Astros hit a home run. The crowd gave a ringing shout, because their man scored a touchdown.

This question confronts us with a fact of life: You need help! The journey is long. The road is rough. The burdens are heavy. The climb is steep. The dangers are many. It is impossible for you to make the journey alone. You need help. But the help you need may not be easy to find. Or it may not be found in the most obvious places. In asking, “From where does my help come?” the psalmist confesses that he is not able to help himself. Even though one who embarked on a long journey would rarely travel alone, the psalmist does not conclude that the help he needed could be found in those who accompanied him. He apparently needed help that his family and friends could not supply. This is the reality of life. You need help. You cannot help yourself. And you cannot it in things or people. This is the truth you should accept.

I'm not saying that when you come to church you need to give each other high fives or do cartwheels down the aisle, but worship is a time of anticipation and expectation. We come together because all week God has been knocking home runs and scoring touchdowns in our lives. Worship is a time to celebrate what God has done for us.

The first verse of repeats this command with almost the same words.

Verse 2 answers the question of verse 1: “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” This is the only one right answer to the question. Note the personal nature of this statement: “My help comes from the Lord.”

The Lord is more than a general source that sustains creation. He is a personal source of help that will be you every step of the way. But you must trust in him.

The axiom, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not biblical. But it is a quote from BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S Poor Richard’s Almanac. Scripture teaches the direct opposite.

God helps those who cannot help themselves. says: “He give power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”

B. THE TESTIMONY YOU SHOULD ADOPT.

In verse three the psalmist gives us more reasons. The psalmist tells us that the first reason we should worship and not worry is because God is in control even when we're out of control. In verse three he mentions "the great King above all gods." The psalmist is not implying there are other gods. He brings out the fact that if we are not careful, our problems can become our gods. We can get so focused on our problems that they'll rule our minds, our actions, and our attitudes. But when we see God as he truly ought to be seen, everything else takes its proper place.

Self-sufficiency disqualifies you from divine help. To receive God’s help you must confess you are a helpless sinner. You must stop trying to help yourself and you must run to the cross for help. There is sufficient and sovereign help in the Lord.

Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous!

Verse four says that the deep places of the earth and the heights are in God's hand. God knows the heights no person has ever climbed and the depths no person has been able to dig. God knows every facet of his creation. God also knows your issues—their height, depth, and breadth. Nothing you can bring to God will take him by surprise. He not only knows them, he has the power to deal with them.

THERE IS SUFFICIENT HELP IN THE LORD.

Verse 2 answers the question of verse 1: “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” This is the only one right answer to the question. Note the personal nature of this statement: “My help comes from the Lord.” The Lord is more than a general source that sustains creation. He is a personal source of help that will be you every step of the way. But you must trust in him. The axiom, “God helps those who help themselves,” is not biblical. But it is a quote from BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S Poor Richard’s Almanac. Scripture teaches the direct opposite. God helps those who cannot help themselves. says: “He give power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” Self-sufficiency disqualifies you from divine help. To receive God’s help you must confess you are a helpless sinner. You must stop trying to help yourself. And you must run to the cross for help. There is sufficient and sovereign help in the Lord.

Psalm 33:1 ESV

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.

In verse 1, the psalmists asks, “From where does my help come?” In verse 2, he answers with a name, not a list. The source of help you should look to is the only one who does not need to look for a source of help. Only God qualifies.

Verse five says that the sea is his, and that his hands formed the dry land. I'd like you to notice the word made. There's an interesting word picture behind it. It's like a potter, who takes a piece of clay and slaps it on the wheel; when he turns it, he molds it and makes it as he desires. The psalmist is saying God did that with this universe. He molded it and made it as he desires.

Praise befits the upright.

THERE IS SUFFICIENT HELP IN THE LORD.

This does not mean that all other means of help are illegitimate. You should get an education. You should see the doctor. You should work hard. You should plan wisely. You should cultivate relationships, but these are only means of help, not the source of help.

In verse 1, the psalmists asks, “From where does my help come?” In verse 2, he answers with a name, not a list. The source of help you should look to is the only one who does not need to look for a source of help. Only God qualifies. This does not mean that all other means of help are illegitimate. You should get an education. You should see the doctor. You should work hard. You should plan wisely. You should cultivate relationships. But these are only means of help, not the source of help. Life will confront you with realities your 3 family and money and education and career and connections cannot help you with. The Lord is the one and only source of true help for the journey of life. says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

One of the reasons we believers become overwhelmed is that we lose perspective on how great God is. This morning I would like to renew our vision of how great God really is. To do that, I'd like you to take a little trip with me. We're going to go halfway across our galaxy. Scientists tell us there are over 200 million stars in our galaxy and over 200 million other galaxies with as many stars in them. Today, we're just going halfway across our galaxy at the speed of 186,000 miles per second, which is just slightly faster than most of you drive. Do you want to know how fast that is? If you were to shoot a bullet at that speed, it would circle the earth seven times in one second. We're going at a speed of 669 million miles an hour. In ten seconds we pass the moon that's only 230,000 miles away. In ten minutes we pass the sun that's only 93 million miles away. One year passes, five years, ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years, 15,000 years at 669 million miles an hour, and we haven't made it even halfway across our galaxy. We journey on for 20,000 years, 30,000, and we haven't made it halfway yet. After 50,000 years traveling at 669 million miles an hour, we've made it just halfway across our galaxy. If you have another 100,000 years, we could go through the next galaxy.

Life will confront you with realities that your family, money, education, career, and connections cannot help you with. The Lord is the one and only source of true help for the journey of life.

says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

What I'm saying, my friends, is if God is so great that he put this world together and holds this world together, let me ask you, "What is your problem?" Don't misunderstand. I don't want to minimize your problems. They're real; they're painful; they hurt; they're no fun. But the reason we need to focus upon the greatness of God is to remind ourselves that we're not in it alone. We have resources to help us through the issues we face.

It is as if was written as an extension of . There words are stitched together at the seam.

THERE IS SOVEREIGN HELP IN THE LORD.

describes the blessing of forgiveness. follows as a song of joy. In many ways is the song of the forgiven, a song of praise for those whose sin God does not count against them. It is a song for you today if you are a Christian.

The psalmist tells us the first reason we should worship and not worry is because God is in control even when we're out of control.

Verse 2a testifies, “My help comes from the Lord.” Who is the Lord? Verse 2b identifies the Lord by his sovereign power: “who made heaven and earth.” Note the progression of the text. In verse 1, the psalmist looks to the hills and wonders where his help will come from. In verse 2, he looks beyond the hills to the Lord who created the hills and everything else. The first verse of the Bible is the most important verse in the Bible. says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The creator of a thing is always greater than the thing he creates.

Verse 2a testifies, “My help comes from the Lord.” Who is the Lord? Verse 2b identifies the Lord by his sovereign power: “who made heaven and earth.”

The psalmist fans our hearts into flame with a call to worship, cause for worship, and confidence from worship.

So if the one who created the heavens and the earth is my help, I can say with Paul in : “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, no powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord?”

Note the progression of the text. In verse 1, the psalmist looks to the hills and wonders where his help will come from. In verse 2, he looks beyond the hills to the Lord who created the hills and everything else.

Call to Worship

But there's a second reason. In the second call to worship. In verses one through five, we saw a God who's over the universe; he's way out there and infinitely powerful. In verses six and seven, the psalmist narrows it down and shows us that God is also intimately personal. The second reason we should worship and not worry is because we are the sheep of the Great Shepherd. We have a special relationship with him.

says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The creator of a thing is always greater than the thing he creates. So if the one who created the heavens and the earth is my help, I can say with Paul in

Where does your help come from? declares, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Is that your testimony? If it is not, trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord today. If it is your testimony, you have no reason to worry, doubt, or fear.

ASK THE SAVIOR TO HELP YOU – COMFORT, STRENGTHEN,AND KEEP YOU HE IS WILLING TO AID YOU JESUS WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH

Verse six says, "Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." That's the same word used in verse five. Just as God meticulously put together the creation, so God specifically did the same thing in putting you together. More than 107 million cells in each of your eyes enable you to see. About 60,000 miles of arteries run through your body. There are more than 9,000 taste buds on your tongue. More than 220 bones make up the frame God gave you. Six hundred muscles cover those bones. You are a special creation of God.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, no powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord?”

II. THE LORD IS OUR KEEPER.

Where does your help come from?

Call to Worship

I've noticed that God never leaves his creations in the lurch. He always takes care of them. In verse seven the psalmist says there are two ways God takes care of us. First, he calls us the people of God's pasture. The pasture is symbolic of provision. In other words, God will provide for his people. He will lead us to where our needs can be met. Second, we are the sheep of his hand. The hand is the symbol for protection and guidance. When we're in over our heads, God will pull us out. When we need guidance, God will direct us. When we need protection, God will shield us. We need not be intimidated when problems come our way,

There are four stanzas in this psalm, each two verses long. These four stanzas divide into two sections. In verses 1 and 2, the psalmist speaks in the first person: “I” and “my.” But in verses 3-8, the psalmist speaks in the second person: “you” and “yours.” There is also a change in motif. In verses 1-2, the key word is help. But in verses 3-8, the key word is keep, which is used six times in these six verses. This transition is so distinct that it is argued that there is more than one speaker in the psalm. It may be the pilgrims sung this SONG OF ASCENTS antiphonally, one person leading out with verses 1-2 and the caravan responding with verses 3-8. Or it may be that this psalm was sung after the feast was over, the people singing verses 1-2 and the priest singing verses 3-8 in response, as a benediction on the departing worshipers.

This passage always sends me back to the family farm. We raised about a thousand pigs a year. In one field we had two or three hundred little oinkers running around. Every day, at four in the morning, as I'd walk into the field to feed those guys, they'd scatter. Once a little pig came up and began to chew on my foot, so I picked him up and began to pet him. Soon he wanted down. I said, "No, I'll let you down when I'm ready." At that moment, he let out a squeal like I had never heard. In about two seconds, thirty mama pigs weighing five to six hundred pounds each were headed my way. I put him down and headed for the fence. I barely made it over, and when I did, all the mama pigs were snorting and walking back and forth, daring me to come back over and bother one of their kids. Looking back at that situation, I realize the little rascal wasn't intimidated. He was out of control, but he wasn't intimidated. Why? Because he was just one squeal away from help.

But there may be only speaker in the psalm. If so, he sings verses 1-2 to remind himself of where his help comes from. Then he sings verses 3-8 in a soliloquy, celebrating God’s unfailing promises to build up his faith. Any way you view the transition of these two sections the point is the same. The psalmist looked to God for help on the basis of his faithful character. And the character of God is described here in simple terms. The Lord is our keeper. If you look to the Lord for help, he will keep your feet stable, your hands strong, and your life secure.

declares, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Is that your testimony? If it is not, trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord today. If it is your testimony, you have no reason to worry, doubt, or fear.

THE LORD WILL KEEP YOUR FEET STABLE.

II. THE LORD IS OUR KEEPER.

Now let me ask you something. If one of God's creatures is that sensitive to the cry of its own, how much more sensitive is the heavenly Father to the cry of his own? Just one squeal away, we have resources. The psalmist says there are two reasons why we should worship and not worry. First, God is in control when we're out of control. Second, we're the sheep of the great Shepherd.

Verses 1–3 are an energetic call to worship. The psalmist describes loud, joyful worship with musicians, singers, and worshipers praising God together.

There are four stanzas in this psalm, each two verses long. These four stanzas divide into two sections. In verses 1 and 2, the psalmist speaks in the first person: “I” and “my.” But in verses 3-8, the psalmist speaks in the second person: “you” and “yours.”

In the ancient Near East, there were no paved streets or engineered highways. There was only the rugged terrain of well-trodden roads. As one walked along these paths, it was easy to stumble and fall. But verse 3 says the one who walks with God enjoys a special benefit: “He will not let your foot be moved.” As you walk with God, he will give you spiritual stability. says: “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.” This is not a guarantee that believers will never fall. It is an assurance that the Lord will keep your feet stable as you travel, so that you are not prone to fall. says, “The steps of a good man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” The Lord will keep you on your feet. In fact, the only reason you have not fallen into slippery places, doctrinal error, or dangerous situations is because the Lord has kept you. says: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.” This is the promise of the Lord. He will not let your foot be moved. CHARLES SPURGEON said it well: “Our feet shall move in progress, not in overthrow.”

There are times to be still before the Lord, but this is not one of those times. If your sins are forgiven, you will want to make some noise!

In the journey of life, you will inevitably become tired. But how can you lie down and sleep when you are in the midst of danger? Verse 3 says, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” Picture a soldier on duty to watch. He must stay awake, lest the enemy overtakes the camp unaware. This is our God. He does not get drowsy. God is not like a solider that dozes off when he is to be looking out. When a person asked the Greek general ALEXANDER THE GREAT how he could sleep when he was surrounded by danger, he replied that PERMENIO, his faithful guard was watching. How much more soundly should we sleep when God who never slumbers is guarding us!

There's a third reason. In the second part of verse seven, you'll discover that the psalmist changes his tone from celebration to warning. He says, "Today, if you will hear his voice … " The word hear is interesting, because in Hebrew it is coupled with obey. Jesus used the same construction in the New Testament when he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." That also means: to him who has ears to hear, obey.

In verses 1-2, the key word is help. But in verses 3-8, the key word is keep, which is used six times in these six verses.

The Psalmist sings verses 1-2 to remind himself of where his help comes from. Then he sings verses 3-8 celebrating God’s unfailing promises to build up his faith.

The psalmist goes on in verse eight to remind the Hebrews of a time their ancestors failed to listen to God and he refused to give them rest. In other words, because they didn't obey God, they were in a continual state of worry. The third reason we should worship and not worry is because God is saddened when his children worry.

Verse 4 says, “Behold, he who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” Behold is a call to attention. It suggests there are times when God seems to be sleep on the job. But the real problem is that we are paying attention to the wrong things. “Behold, he who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” The name of the Lord is used five times in this psalm. But the psalmist identifies the Lord here by a special title: “he who keeps Israel.” This is a reference to the faithfulness of God to Israel throughout its history. Don’t judge God’s faithfulness on the basis of present circumstances. Check his performance review. He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.

The call to worship begins with verse 1.

records the contest of gods between Elijah and the Baal prophets on Mt. Carmel. The rules of the contest were straightforward. An altar was erected. And the God who consumed the altar with fire would be declared the true and living God. The Baal prophets wentfirst. And they spent all morning dancing around and crying out to Baal. Baal never answered. reports: “And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, ‘Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.’” Our God is no sleeping deity who needs to be awakened. He who keeps 5 you will not slumber. The Lord is the night watchman of the universe. Our God works the night shift. He is the unsleeping guarding who is ever alert to provide an untiring watch over us.

The psalmist looked to God for help on the basis of his faithful character and the character of God is described here in simple terms. The Lord is our keeper. If you look to the Lord for help, he will keep your feet stable, your hands strong, and your life secure.

B. THE LORD WILL KEEP YOUR HANDS STRONG.

In verse 4, the Lord is called “he who keeps Israel.” But verse 5 shifts from the corporate to the person and says: “The Lord is your keeper.” The God who watches over all his people is intimately involved in the details of your life. He is your keeper. Jacob was on the run from his brother, after stealing his birthright. One night, as Jacob slept under the stars, he dreamed about a ladder that reached heaven. The angels of God were ascending and descending on it. During this vision, the Lord spoke to Jacob, reaffirming the promises he made to Abraham. In , the Lord told Jacob, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” This promise may have been on the mind of the psalmist as he wrote this psalm. If the Lord was faithful to his promise to watch over a hustler like Jacob, surely he will watch over sinful and stubborn people like you and me. Verse 5 says, “The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade on your right hand.”

This promise of shade was rich in meaning for those ancients who were so often scorched by the heat of the sun. The traveler’s only defense was to find a place of shade to cover him. This is what God is for us. You would have suffocated under the consuming circumstances had it not been for the Lord covering you with his shade. says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” The Lord is our shade. And note where he provides shade: “on your right hand.” That is, our transcendent Lord is imminently near. says, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right, I shall not be shaken.” In scripture, the right hand is the place of favor and strength. Could it be the idea is that the Lord will cover you at the place of your strength? We think we only need God’s strength for our weaknesses. But this only reveals that we do not know how weak we really are. The fact is that we are so weak that we not only need God to cover our weaknesses, we need him to cover strengths. Think about that. Abraham’s strength was his faith. Yet he went down to Egypt in unbelief, saying his wife was his sister. Moses’ strength was his meekness; yet he lost his temper and smote the rock. Elijah’s strength was his courage; yet fled in abject fear from Jezebel. We need God to cover us strengths, as well as our weaknesses. Thank God the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

Verse 6 says, “The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” This verse is not about sunstrokes or so-called “moon-strokes,” whatever that is. This reference to the sun and moon stands for dangers that occur in the day and in the night. The Lord provides around the clock protection for his children. He will protect you from whatever the day may bring or whatever may occur in the darkness of the night. Note that the text does promise the Lord will cool off the heat 6 of the sun or brighten up the darkness of the night. But the Lord does promise that they will not strike you down. The Lord will protect you from the elements.

C. THE LORD WILL KEEP YOUR LIFE SECURE.

Verses 3-6 use powerful metaphors to describe how the Lord will keep those who trust in him. But the final stanza of the psalm drops the word-pictures to declare in plain terms that the Lord will keep your life secure.

THE LORD PROVIDES PERFECT SECURITY.

Verse 7 says, “The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.” Evil can refer to moral evil or physical evil. It is used here to speak of physical evil. It is that which is bad, harmful, or dangerous. It is what David spoke of in : “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Similarly, the psalmist here promises divine protection from the bad things of life. Note the scope of this promise: “The Lord will keep you from all evil.” This does not guarantee a life of health, wealth, and success. The fact that the psalm begins by asking for help acknowledges this. Reread the psalm and consider the reality of life without God. Your foot will be moved. The enemy will attack you as you sleep. The sun and moon wills strike you down. Bad things happen in life. So how can it be true that the Lord will keep you from all evil? It may be that you and God have different ways of defining what is evil.

I repeat. It may be that you and God have different ways of defining what is evil. Why does he do this? Verse 7 says, “The Lord will keep you from all evil, he will keep your life.” Literally, he will preserve your soul. We are too shortsighted. We want the Lord to keep our health and strength and goals. But your health is not your life. But your job is not your life. But your marriage is not your life. Roman 8:37-39 says: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

THE LORD PROVIDES PERPETUAL SECURITY.

Verse 8 says, “The Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”“Going out and coming in” is a Hebrew idiom for the daily affairs of life. It means the Lord will keep you day by day. It is the laborer who goes out to the field and comes in at the end of 7 the workday. It is the pilgrim who goes out to the temple for worship and then comes in again. It is the solider that goes about for battle and comes in from war. And the Lord will keep you whatever as you come and go. But how long can you count on the Lord to watch over you. Verse 8 answers: “The Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

“From this time forth” refers to real time. Whatever is going on in your life, the Lord is keeping your right now! Yet he will keep you forevermore. He will not stop watching over you until he gets you safely to glory. The Lord will keep you day by day. And the Lord will keep you for all eternity. says: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” What a fellowship. What a joy divine. Leaning on the everlasting arms.

WHAT A FELLOWSHIP,WHAT A JOY DIVINE, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS; WHAT A BLESSEDNESS, WHAT A PEACE IS MINE, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS. O HOW SWEET TO WALK IN THIS PILGRIM WAY, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS; O HOW BRIGHT THE PATH GROWS FROM DAY TO DAY, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS. WHAT HAVE ITO DREAD, WHAT HAVE ITO FEAR, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS; I HAVE BLESSED PEACE WITH MY LORD SO NEAR, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS. LEANING, LEANING, SAFE AND SECURE FROM ALL ALARM; LEANING, LEANING, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS.

I remember asking a buddy of mine, "Bill, if you could get one thing for your kids, what would it be?" He surprised me when he said, "Rod, if there's one thing I would want for my children, it would be for them to believe me. They'd just believe that I had their best interests at heart. When I tell them something, they'd think, If Dad said it, it's got to be true. I believe it."

THE LORD WILL KEEP YOUR FEET STABLE.

Psalm 33:1 ESV

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.

The call to worship begins with verse 1.

I believe that's what the psalmist is saying. All the heavenly Father wants from his children is for them to believe that he'll do what he promises. You'll notice that the first generation of God's children didn't have a very good track record. They really didn't believe him. The incident referred to in this psalm is found in . The children of Israel had been delivered from Egypt. This is the same group that saw the Red Sea parted and the ten plagues sent upon Egypt. Here they are in the wilderness of sin, and they have a problem. They had no water. Verse two says, "So they quarreled with Moses and said, 'Give us water to drink.'" And in verse three, "But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, 'Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?'" Verse seven is the key verse: "And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the Lord saying, 'Is the Lord among us or not?'"

In the ancient Near East, there were no paved streets or engineered highways. There was only the rugged terrain of well-trodden roads. As one walked along these paths, it was easy to stumble and fall. But verse 3 says the one who walks with God enjoys a special benefit: “He will not let your foot be moved.” As you walk with God, he will give you spiritual stability.

A better translation for “shout for joy” here is “yell.”

says: “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.” This is not a guarantee that believers will never fall. It is an assurance that the Lord will keep your feet stable as you travel, so that you are not prone to fall.

The result of strictly focusing on our problems is that we will eventually wonder if God is doing anything at all. Does he even exist? That's what was happening to the children of Israel. Look at . Moses, it says, knew the ways of God, but the children of Israel knew the acts of God. Isn't that quite a distinction? The acts of God meant that the children of Israel lived from one miracle to the next and didn't remember anything in between. I find many Christians do the same thing. Moses knew the ways of God; he knew God's character and his integrity. He could say: I don't know how God is going to do it, but he promised and he'll do it.

says, “The steps of a good man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” The Lord will keep you on your feet. In fact, the only reason you have not fallen into slippery places, doctrinal error, or dangerous situations is because the Lord has kept you.

That's the formula the psalmist has given us. He says worship to get your perspective right, and then believe God and act in faith that he will provide. The first generation of Israelites blew it, but the second generation didn't. In Joshua, chapter 5, you'll read about Joshua as the leader of the second generation.

says: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.” This is the promise of the Lord. He will not let your foot be moved.

The Israelites have a major problem. This time it's not water, but a city called Jericho. In verse 13 we read, "Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'Neither,'" he replied, "'but as commander of the army of the Lord, I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?' The commander of the Lord's army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.'"

Praise befits the upright.

CHARLES SPURGEON said it well: “Our feet shall move in progress, not in overthrow.”

Here's Joshua, wondering how he's going to deal with the Jericho problem, and the next thing you know the captain of the Lord of Hosts appears. According to the Scriptures, this is God in the flesh, the pre-incarnate Christ. At that moment, Joshua has a choice. He can worship or he can worry. He chooses to worship. Look at the plan he gets from God after he worships. In , Israel is told to have the armed men march around Jericho with the Ark of the Covenant once a day for six days. On the seventh day they are to march around seven times blowing rams horns and trumpets, and after the seventh time all the people are to shout, and the walls of Jericho will fall down flat. That's the plan. Now what's it going to take? Faith. I can imagine Joshua now. He runs back to the camp, bursts in on his commanders, and says: Gentlemen, I just received the plan from God. We're going to get all of the people together. We're going to get the men of war, the Ark of the Covenant, and we're going to march to Jericho, and march around it once a day for six days in a row.

In the journey of life, you will inevitably become tired. But how can you lie down and sleep when you are in the midst of danger? Verse 3 says, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.”

A better translation for “shout for joy” here is “yell.”3 It can mean yelling for joy, but it can sometimes mean a yell of anguish or despair. Here it is obviously an excited shout because we are so happy.

Uh, yeah. Is there anything else to this plan, Joshua? they say.

Picture a soldier on duty to watch. He must stay awake, lest the enemy overtakes the camp unaware. This is our God. He does not get drowsy.

When a person asked the Greek general ALEXANDER THE GREAT how he could sleep when he was surrounded by danger, he replied that PARMENION, his faithful guard was watching.

How much more soundly should we sleep when God who never slumbers is guarding us!

Imagine a high school senior waiting for his college acceptance letter. The day finally comes when that letter arrives. He tears it open with trembling fingers and reads the first line, “We are pleased to offer you a place in the freshman class …” and he doesn’t get any farther. He drops the letter and yells, “Yahoo! Mom, Dad, I got in!” This is the sort of excited, undignified shout in verse 1.

Verse 4 says, “Behold, he who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” Behold is a call to attention. It suggests there are times when God seems to be sleep on the job. But the real problem is that we are paying attention to the wrong things. “Behold, he who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.”

Yep. On the seventh day, we're going to march around the city seven times, and we're going to shout, and the walls are going to come tumbling down.

The name of the Lord is used five times in this psalm. But the psalmist identifies the Lord here by a special title: “he who keeps Israel.” This is a reference to the faithfulness of God to Israel throughout its history.

Don’t judge God’s faithfulness on the basis of present circumstances. Check his performance review. He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.

What could cause that sort of joy and excitement? The psalmist commands us to shout for joy “in the LORD” (v. 1). Grammatically God himself is the cause of this commotion. It’s all about him!

The commanders are saying: We think something is already tumbled down, Bud.

Our God is no sleeping deity who needs to be awakened. He who keeps you will not slumber. The Lord is the night watchman of the universe. Our God works the night shift. He is the unsleeping guard who is ever alert to provide an untiring watch over us.

When you have felt the weight of your sin like David describes in

Psalm 32:3–4 ESV

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

and then you feel God’s forgiveness, your heart sings for joy to this God. His goodness and generosity are beautiful to you. His kindness takes your breath away.

and then felt God’s forgiveness, your heart sings for joy to this God. His goodness and generosity are beautiful to you. His kindness takes your breath away.

reports: “And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, ‘Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.’” Our God is no sleeping deity who needs to be awakened. He who keeps you will not slumber. The Lord is the night watchman of the universe. Our God works the night shift. He is the unsleeping guard who is ever alert to provide an untiring watch over us.

Who else can praise God like this? The unbelieving world certainly can’t. The angels can’t because they have not sinned and been forgiven. The seraphim around the throne cannot praise God like we can because they have not experienced his goodness like we have. So it is a beautiful thing when God’s people get carried away and shout their praise to God.

But they decide to act on faith. They head toward Jericho. Now, imagine you're in Jericho, defending your territory. Suddenly this group of people stops, walks around the city, and goes back.

B. THE LORD WILL KEEP YOUR HANDS STRONG.

Second day: stop, walk around the city, go back.

We need to be clear that there is a difference between godly emotions in our worship and what I will call emotionalism. There are plenty of religious showmen who know how to manipulate people. The psalmist is not talking about manipulation or emotionalism.

A friend of mine is a worship pastor who grew up in a church that worked on people’s emotions. Since he is from that background, he knows exactly what to do to get people to cheer or to cry at the right moment. The psalmist is not talking about manipulation or emotionalism.

Third day: Hey, quit walking on the lawn, you're wearing a path in it. Ha! Ha!

Rather is talking about an honest emotional reaction to an experience of the greatness and glory of God. In our worship we should present the majesty and glory of God so clearly and so compellingly that men and women naturally praise him with genuine, heartfelt emotions.

In verse 4, the Lord is called “he who keeps Israel.” But verse 5 shifts from the corporate to the personal and says: “The Lord is your keeper.”

The God who watches over all his people is intimately involved in the details of your life. He is your keeper.

Jacob was on the run from his brother, after stealing his birthright. One night, as Jacob slept under the stars, he dreamed about a ladder that reached heaven. The angels of God were ascending and descending on it. During this vision, the Lord spoke to Jacob, reaffirming the promises he made to Abraham.

In , the Lord told Jacob, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Fourth day: popcorn, peanuts, and "Watch the children of Israel. It's quite an attraction!"

This promise may have been on the mind of the psalmist as he wrote this psalm. If the Lord was faithful to his promise to watch over a hustler like Jacob, surely he will watch over sinful and stubborn people like you and me. Verse 5 says, “The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade on your right hand.”

In verses 2, 3 the psalmist calls for loud, joyful music that is proper and fitting for godly, upright people.

This promise of shade was rich in meaning for those ancients who were so often scorched by the heat of the sun. The traveler’s only defense was to find a place of shade to cover him. You would have suffocated under the consuming circumstances had it not been for the Lord covering you with his shade.

Fifth day: sneering.

Sixth day: jeering.

says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” The Lord is our shade. And note where he provides shade: “on your right hand.” That is, our transcendent Lord is imminently near.

But on the seventh day, when they shout, the walls come tumbling down. What was the end result of Joshua's campaigns? says, "So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give to their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there." And : "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Why? Because Israel chose to worship and not worry.

says, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right, I shall not be shaken.” In scripture, the right hand is the place of favor and strength. We think we only need God’s strength for our weaknesses. But this reveals that we do not know how weak we really are.

In verses 2, 3 the psalmist calls for loud, joyful music that is proper and fitting for godly, upright people.

The fact is that we are so weak that we not only need God to cover our weaknesses, we need him to cover strengths. Think about that. Abraham’s strength was his faith. Yet he went down to Egypt in unbelief, saying his wife was his sister.

Psalm 33:2–3 ESV

Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

Think about that. Abraham’s strength was his faith. Yet he went down to Egypt in unbelief, saying his wife was his sister. Moses’ strength was his meekness; yet he lost his temper and smote the rock. Elijah’s strength was his courage; yet fled in abject fear from Jezebel. We need God to cover us strengths, as well as our weaknesses. Thank God the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

Moses’ strength was his meekness; yet he lost his temper and smote the rock. Elijah’s strength was his courage; yet fled in abject fear from Jezebel. We need God to cover us strengths, as well as our weaknesses. Thank God the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

Verse 6 teaches us that the Lord provides around the clock protection for his children. He will protect you from whatever the day may bring or whatever may occur in the darkness of the night.

My friends, we have a choice. We can focus on the problem or the Problem Solver. We can worship or we can worry. We can wrestle with our problems, or we can rest in the character of God. The choice is ours. But the psalmist encourages us to worship. God is in control even when we're not. We're the sheep of the Great Shepherd, and he is sad when we worry.

Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;

I remember watching a father play with his little boy, repeatedly throwing him in the air and catching him just before he hit the ground. The child was relaxed and having a great time saying, "Do it again! Do it again!" I thought, "If that were me, I'd be stiff as a board." I asked the father, "Can you explain why your child is so relaxed, even when he's out of control?" "It's very simple," he said. "We have a history together. We've played this game before, and I've never dropped him."

C. THE LORD WILL KEEP YOUR LIFE SECURE.

Psalm 32:1–3 ESV

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

Some of you may feel as if you're free falling without a parachute. Some of you are up in the air and not sure exactly what's happening or where you're going next. All I can say to you this morning is, relax. Do your best, knowing God has never dropped you before, and he won't drop you now. You'll discover that when all you have left is God, God is enough.

Verses 3-6 use powerful metaphors to describe how the Lord will keep those who trust in him. But the final stanza of the psalm drops the word-pictures to declare in plain terms that the Lord will keep your life secure.

Sing to him a new song;

THE LORD PROVIDES PERFECT SECURITY.

Worship should be accompanied by instruments. This is the first time that musical instruments are mentioned in the Psalms. Israel worshiped God with a variety of instruments including strings, winds, and percussion (cf. ). Here the psalmist commands us to use stringed instruments to worship God.

Verse 7 says, “The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.” Evil can refer to moral evil or physical evil. It is used here to speak of physical evil. It is that which is bad, harmful, or dangerous.

play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. (33:2, 3)

It is what David spoke of in “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Similarly, the psalmist here promises divine protection from the bad things of life. Note the scope of this promise: “The Lord will keep you from all evil.”

Worship should be accompanied by instruments. This is the first time that musical instruments are mentioned in the Psalms. Israel worshiped God with a variety of instruments including strings, winds, and percussion (cf. ). Here the psalmist commands us to use stringed instruments to worship God.

This does not guarantee a life of health, wealth, and success. The fact that the psalm begins by asking for help acknowledges this.

Reread the psalm and consider the reality of life without God. Your foot will be moved. The enemy will attack you as you sleep. The sun and moon wills strike you down. Bad things happen in life.

So how can it be true that the Lord will keep you from all evil? It may be that you and God have different ways of defining what is evil.

Some Christians believe that it is wrong to use instruments in church. I don’t agree with them because the New Testament tells us to speak to one another in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (). If we sing the psalms, we can hardly avoid the many references to musical instruments. It would be strange if Paul wanted us to speak the psalms to each other but not do what they say. is one of the many psalms that endorse musical instruments for Christian worship.

I repeat. It may be that you and God have different ways of defining what is evil. Why does he do this? Verse 7 says, “The Lord will keep you from all evil, he will keep your life.” Literally, he will preserve your soul.

We are too shortsighted. We want the Lord to keep our health, strength, and goals. Your health is not your life. Your job is not your life. Your marriage is not your life.

Roman 8:37-39 says: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Worship should also be fresh. This is the idea behind the command, “sing to him a new song” (v. 3). Believers in every generation experience God’s grace for themselves, and their musicians should write new songs with creative joy. If God is at work today, the music we already have is not enough. We need new songs too.

THE LORD PROVIDES PERPETUAL SECURITY.

In the sixteenth century Martin Luther wrote new songs as God worked during the Protestant Reformation. In the eighteenth century Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley wrote new songs that fueled worship during the First Great Awakening. In the nineteenth century the blind hymn-writer Fanny Crosby wrote new songs for her generation.

Verse 8 says, “The Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

God is giving us new songs in the twenty-first century too. Stuart Townend and Keith Getty wrote “In Christ Alone” in 2001. Chris Tomlin wrote “How Great Is Our God” in 2005.

In the nineteenth century the blind hymn-writer Fanny Crosby wrote new songs for her generation. God is giving us new songs in the twenty-first century too.

While new music is being written other musicians are writing new arrangements to older hymns preserving and passing on our rich heritage. This is important for us if we want to teach the next generation to worship.

Stuart Townend and Keith Getty wrote “In Christ Alone” in 2001. Chris Tomlin wrote “How Great Is Our God” in 2005. Musicians are writing new arrangements for the words of older hymns too. I think of Bob Kauflin from Sovereign Grace, Page CXVI, and Fernando Ortega. When a new generation experiences God’s grace, they write new songs to praise him.

This is important for us if we want to teach the next generation to worship. I was driving home with a car full of teenagers several months ago when Matt Redman’s song “Ten Thousand Reasons” came on. They had been chattering away until then, but they all stopped and sang along for the rest of the ride home.

“Going out and coming in” is a Hebrew idiom for the daily affairs of life. It means the Lord will keep you day by day. But how long can you count on the Lord to watch over you. Verse 8 answers: “The Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

“From this time forth” refers to real time. Whatever is going on in your life, the Lord is keeping your right now! Yet he will keep you forevermore. He will not stop watching over you until he gets you safely to glory. The Lord will keep you day by day. And the Lord will keep you for all eternity.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

says: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Worship His holy name.

WHAT A FELLOWSHIP,WHAT A JOY DIVINE,

Sing like never before, O my soul,

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS;

I’ll worship your holy name.5

WHAT A BLESSEDNESS, WHAT A PEACE IS MINE,

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS.

As I listened to them, it occurred to me that these were almost the exact same words that Andrae Crouch put to music forty years ago, in 1973.

O HOW SWEET TO WALK IN THIS PILGRIM WAY,

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS;

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

O HOW BRIGHT THE PATH GROWS FROM DAY TO DAY,

And all that is within me

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS.

Bless his holy name.

WHAT HAVE ITO DREAD, WHAT HAVE ITO FEAR,

He has done great things. (x3)

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS;

I HAVE BLESSED PEACE WITH MY LORD SO NEAR,

Bless his holy name!6

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS.

LEANING, LEANING, SAFE AND SECURE FROM ALL ALARM;

These teenagers stopped to sing the Matt Redman song, but they would not have stopped to sing the Andrae Crouch version. The new song spoke to their hearts in a way the older music did not. Our worship music should be fresh.

Worship should also be led with musical excellence. The psalmist calls on the musicians to “play skillfully” (v. 3). We should be thankful for the amount of time our musicians put in to practice and rehearse so they can lead us well in worship.

LEANING, LEANING, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS.

A good goal for Sunday morning is undistracting excellence. The purpose of playing skillfully is not for a musician to show off how good he or she is. The reason for skillful playing is to honor God and help his people praise him without distracting them with wrong notes.

Worship should also be enthusiastic. “Loud shouts” (v. 3) can sometimes mean a war cry or a cry of alarm. When used for praising God, it shows again the energy, emotion, and enthusiasm that is proper and fitting when we are cheering for such a great King. John Piper spoke about this in a letter to his congregation some years ago:

Two people recently asked me what I would feel like if they said “Amen!” when something moved them. Now the only reason anyone would ask that is if they are getting wrong signals. The answer is: We would feel great! It’s the same with lifting your hands in praise. When it is in your heart, do it! Anything that helps you express your heart for God and does not hinder other people is OK with us. We want life in the sanctuary on Sunday.

Two people recently asked me what I would feel like if they said “Amen!” when something moved them. Now the only reason anyone would ask that is if they are getting wrong signals. The answer is: We would feel great! It’s the same with lifting your hands in praise. When it is in your heart, do it! Anything that helps you express your heart for God and does not hinder other people is OK with us. We want life in the sanctuary on Sunday.8

Our personalities are all different, of course. For some people, a deep, heartfelt “Hmm” means their heart is really moved. We need to allow others to respond to truth and the beauty of Jesus Christ as God has wired them. Ultimately God is listening to our hearts, and he hears a quiet groan as clearly as a shout.

Cause for Worship

After this call to worship, the psalmist gives us cause for worship. In verses 4–19 the psalmist fans the coals of our hearts with three main reasons for praising God.

He calls us to worship God because of his word, his will, and his watchfulness. It is hard to get excited about nothing.

The joy and energy of verses 1–3 are rooted in the truth and theology of verses 4–19. Great worship grows out of great doctrine.

God’s Word

The first cause for worship is the character of God we see through his word.

Psalm 33:

For the word of the LORD is upright,

and all his work is done in faithfulness.

Psalm 33:4–7 ESV

For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.

He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

The word “upright” means straight and level. Nothing God says is crooked or deceptive—it is always and everywhere true. God’s work cannot be separated from God himself either. God works in this world through his word, as he did in the days of creation. His works, then, are an extension of his word and reveal his character as well.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,

and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;

he puts the deeps in storehouses. (33:4–7)

God’s word cannot be separated from God himself. His Spirit is as close to his word as breath is to speech. This means that God’s word is “upright” (v. 4) because God himself is upright. The word “upright” means straight and level. Nothing God says is crooked or deceptive—it is always and everywhere true. God’s work cannot be separated from God himself either. God works in this world through his word, as he did in the days of creation. His works, then, are an extension of his word and reveal his character as well.

So God’s character is reflected in everything he says and does. Since he spoke the world into existence, his glory is reflected in his work of creation. The earth overflows with his steadfast love.

The more we study the world around us, the more clearly we see God’s character displayed. The order in the universe displays the order of God’s character. The beauty in the world displays the goodness of God’s heart; he could have made the world an ugly place in which to live, but he made it beautiful for us to enjoy. He designed food chains to nourish entire ecosystems.

Gerard Manley Hopkins said it well.

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.

It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;

It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil

Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?

Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;

And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;

And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil

Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;

There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;

And though the last lights off the black West went

Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent

World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.9

The earth could have been filled with endless terrors, but instead God filled it generously with grace. Men and women live in the sea of God’s goodness like a fish lives in the water. Yet many don’t see it! Everyone should worship this God.

Psalm 33:8–9 ESV

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;

let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!

For he spoke, and it came to be;

The second reason for our worship is God’s will.

he commanded, and it stood firm. (33:8, 9)

Psalm 33:10–11 ESV

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

God’s Will

The second reason for our worship is God’s will.

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

When says he “brings the counsel of the nations to nothing,” I take this ultimately to mean that God pops their plans like a balloon. God’s will and his purposes will stand forever. His plan for the universe is to set Christ on the throne of the universe and to bring all things under Christ.

he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

the plans of his heart to all generations. (33:10, 11)

This could be referring to some plot to attack Israel as a nation, of course. But in the context of the psalms it seems natural to think of “the counsel of the nations” (v. 10) in terms of . The nations have set themselves against God and Christ, the King. The words are not exactly the same in Hebrew, but the idea is the same.

Ephesians 1:10 ESV

as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

So we praise him!

against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,

“Let us burst their bonds apart

and cast away their cords from us.” (2:1–3)

So when says he “brings the counsel of the nations to nothing,” I take this ultimately to mean that God pops their plans like a balloon. Instead God’s will and his purposes will stand forever. His plan for the universe is to set Christ on the throne of the universe and to bring all things under Christ (; ). So we praise him!

God’s will is wonderful news for God’s people because it means our salvation. God’s plan is to honor Christ, and we are blessed because we are in Christ. This is why he says,

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! (33:12)

The psalmist is thinking especially of the nation of Israel as he writes this. In the fullness of time, though, the mystery of God’s plan would be revealed that God includes Gentiles as natural-born citizens with his people. The Apostle Peter describes Gentile Christians as God’s people, his nation.

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. ()

God has chosen believers to be his heritage (). Someday ethnic Israel will turn to Jesus Christ, and this blessing will finally be fulfilled in them too.

God’s Watchfulness

The third reason for our worship is God’s watchfulness.

Psalm 33:

Psalm 33:13–19 ESV

The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

The LORD looks down from heaven;

Psalm 33:13–15 ESV

The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.

he sees all the children of man;

from where he sits enthroned he looks out

on all the inhabitants of the earth,

God’s eye is on everyone and he considers everything we do. The word “observes” (v. 15) has the sense of perceiving or understanding. God does not merely see what we do—he understands what we are doing.

he who fashions the hearts of them all

and observes all their deeds. ()

God’s eye is on everyone—male and female, young and old, great and small—and he considers everything we do. The word “observes” (v. 15) has the sense of perceiving or understanding. God does not merely see what we do—he understands what we are doing.

God’s complete knowledge is an immense comfort to his people. If God knows everything, he can protect us from everything and provide in every situation. God’s complete knowledge means complete care.

The king is not saved by his great army;

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

Psalm 33:16–19 ESV

The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

The war horse is a false hope for salvation,

and by its great might it cannot rescue.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,

Do you fear the Lord? God sees. He understands all the small ways you are trying to honor him and put him first. No one else may understand, but he knows your heart. And since he knows all things, he can protect you and provide for you in every situation.

on those who hope in his steadfast love,

that he may deliver their soul from death

and keep them alive in famine. (33:16–19)

Do you fear the Lord? God sees. He understands all the small ways you are trying to honor him and put him first. No one else may understand, but he knows your heart. And since he knows all things, he can protect you and provide for you in every situation. God’s complete knowledge means complete care.

The joyful worship of verses 1–3 is fueled by the powerful truths of verses 4–19. The psalmist calls us to worship God for his reliable word, his enduring will, and his watchful protection

Confidence from Worship

Finally the psalmist describes the faith that comes from heartfelt worship. The psalm began with a shout; it ends with quiet Christian confidence. There is a place for both.

The point of worshiping God with energy and joy is not just to feel good or to have an amazing experience. The end result of true worship is stronger faith. If you worship in spirit and in truth on Sunday, you are strengthening your heart to trust God in the coming week.

This is what we all want for ourselves in our churches. We want to strengthen our faith in God together as we worship him together.

Our soul waits for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 33:20–22 ESV

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

For our heart is glad in him,

because we trust in his holy name.

Relationships are vital for our spiritual growth and health. (Billy Graham) Church-goers are like coals in a fire. When they cling together, they keep the flame aglow; when they separate, they die out.

Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,

We praise him together because his Word is reliable, his will for us in Christ is unshakable, his watchful care is unwavering.

even as we hope in you. (33:20–22)

These verses are plural throughout because the psalmist still has all God’s people in mind. Relationships are vital for our spiritual growth and health. We praise him together because his Word is reliable, his will for us in Christ is unshakable, his watchful care is unwavering. And we wait together—we know he is “our help and our shield” (v. 20). We wait together as Sunday school classes, asking God to answer our prayers. We wait for the Lord with others in small groups. Waiting is group work—we stand together and strengthen each other’s faith.

The psalm comes full circle. When we trust God, he gives us a quiet gladness that is like a smoldering coal, ready to burst into flame again with praise. We should praise God with joy and energy as we hope in him.

Johnston, J. A. (2015). Preaching the Word: The Psalms: Rejoice, the Lord Is King— to 41. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (Vol. 1, pp. 337–345). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

Untitled Sermon (11)

God is in control.

We are the sheep of the Great Shepherd.

God is saddened by our worry.

Conclusion