Psalm 145 (7)

Introduction: After reading psalm 145…

Proverbs 9:10 tells us that…

Proverbs 9:10 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Reminder: We have been working through Psalm 145 the past few weeks in order to help prepare us for a series of teaching through the book of Proverbs. The reason why Psalm 145 is so helpful in this preparation is because of the truth it reveals “knowledge of the Holy One.” We need our hearts and minds stirred with knowledge of the Holy One. The truth about God’s attributes and actions needs to sink deep within our souls. Why? So that we would fear Him. So that we would be in reverential awe of Him. So that we would tremble before the mighty hand of God with respect and obedience. This is the beginning of wisdom.

The reason this is so important today is because as those who are the called out one of Christ, for those who are sons and daughters of God we desperately need wisdom to make since of the chaos of our days. We are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of that wisdom. We do not need more opinions or perspectives on the matters of our day, no, rather we need wisdom from above. We need God. And as we delight in God so we find the joy of His producing wisdom in us so that we might create order in the mud room of our lives.

Transition: A brief look at verse 21. Key in on “bless” His name, which means to speak of His excellencies.

Question: What is it about the reputation/name of the Lord that is worthy of unending blessing?

King (1)

Great (3)

Lord (3)

Glorious (5)

Good (7)

Righteous (7 & 17)

Gracious (7 & 17)

Merciful (8)

Patient (8)

Abounding in steadfast love (8)

Impartial in His goodness (9)

Satisfying provider to all (9, 15,16, 19)

Praised (10)

Majestic Sovereign (11, 13)

All powerful (11, 12)

Sustainer (14)

Comforter (14)

Near (18)

Savior (19)

Guard (20)

Judge (20)

Holy (21)

Transition: This review of the excellencies of God is a helpful guide for doing what we were created to do, and as new creations in Christ, as Ephesians 1:12 says, “so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.” How do these truths about God help us bless Him?

Practical: What does praise look like in your life? Since, this praise should be perpetual, then how does speaking the excellencies of God look in all aspects of our lives? What could it look like?

A few ideas:

Corporately. This certainly should be the case in our Lord’s day gatherings. But what if we take one excellency of God a month. And each Sunday of that month we read Scriptures about how God has revealed Himself to be Good, righteous, provider, and so on. We sing songs and pray prayers and share with one another concerning the excellencies of God. What if the motive for our meetings was God Himself and not our personal preferences. What if God got something out of our gatherings and we simply enjoy the overflow of blessing God together?

Personally. Mediate on one excellency of God each day or one a month. Search the scripture to see how the Lord has revealed Himself to be great and good. Then, think about how the Lord has been abounding in love to you, how He has been gracious to His creation, in what ways has He shown you patience? Then, prayerfully speak those realities to God. But write out what you discover in the form of a prayer. Then attach that prayer to your mirror or dash in your car, or as a screen savor. Then throughout the day remind yourself of these truths and rejoice in God.

Socially. Consider turning conversations into opportunities to declare God’s excellencies. For example, if your at work or school and someone begins to chat about the current social conditions in America, you can easily insert the truth that , “God has certainly been kind to our nation.” “God has been very slow to anger against us.” If were not for the grace of God we would all be enslaved to our lustful passions. “Things are in a mess but I'm sure glad there is hope in the reality that the Lord is the ultimate King.”

As a family, seek to spend time around the breakfast table or dinner table, talking about the excellencies of God. Ask one another how you have witnessed the provisions of God today, how has the Lord been near to you today? In this we are commending to generation after generation the mighty acts of God. (Pause for a practice run: Where have you observed the mighty acts of God this week??)

Where have you observed the attributes and actions of God this week?

Closing: Spending time in prayer praising God. Each family unit come and retrieve a Note card that has one characteristic of God. While music plays we will spend some time praying together.