Acknowledge God's Greatness

Introduction: This is a psalm of contrition and lament. It requests God’s forgiveness, which he freely gives to those who are called by His name. But this prayer for grace begins, as every good prayer does, with a proclamation of praise for God’s mercy, which is a part of His divine nature.

Praise God For Good Reasons (106:1-2)

Reason 1: His Nature (106:1) - ”Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: For his mercy endureth forever.”

This Psalm is probably written during the same time as 1 Chronicles 16, where verse 34 of that Scripture exclaims, “34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Psalm 100:4-5 - “4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB) - “16 Rejoice always! 17 Pray constantly. 18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Reason 2: He Deeds (106:2) - “2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can shew forth all his praise?

Psalm 139:17-18 - “17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”

Nehemiah 9:5b (HCSB) - “Bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Praise Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.”

Practice Doing What is Right (106:3)

Follow God’s Word Collectively (106:3a) - “3 Blessed are they that keep judgment,”

Psalm 1:1 (HCSB) - “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers!”

John 14:23-24 (HCSB) - “23 Jesus answered, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 The one who doesn't love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me.”

Be Faithful to God’s Ways Personally (106:3b) - And he that doeth righteousness at all times.

Deuteronomy 11:1 (HCSB) - “1 "Therefore, love the Lord your God and always keep His mandate and His statutes, ordinances, and commands.”

Romans 7:17-21 (HCSB) - “17 So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. 19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I discover this principle: when I want to do good, evil is with me.

Galatians 6:9 (HCSB) - “9 So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up.”

Pray To God for His Remembrance (106:4-5)

Pray for Personal Remembrance (106:4) - “4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;”

Psalm 25:7 (HCSB) - “Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.”

Luke 1:68 (HCSB) - “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people.”

Pray for Promotional Remembrance (106:5) - “5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, That I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, That I may glory with thine inheritance.”

Ephesians 1:3-4 (HCSB) - “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Christ; 4 for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love”

Luke 23:39-43 (HCSB) - “39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!" 40 But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don't you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we're getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise."

When on the cross of Calvary, the Lord was crucified

The mob stood round about him and mocked Him until He died

Two thieves were there beside Him, to share the agony

But one of them cried out to Him oh Lord remember me.

Will the Lord remember me, when I am called to go

When I have crossed death's chilly seas, will He, His love there show.

Oh yes, oh yes, He heard my feebly cry, and from bondage He set me free.

And when I reach the pearly gates He will remember me.