12-27-2020 From Pathetic to Praise!

Psalm 111 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

We don’t forget to:

RALLY WITH THE UPRIGHT (v. 1)

This word “Congregation” is “ehdaw” meaning those assembled by appointment or acting in concert

We set a day/time

We are acting in concert to lift our Praises to God and Whole Heart Thanks

We are gathered in the “company of the upright” tailgate parties and bars are not to be our place of gathering/worship/Praise on the appointed day!

REFLECT when we are DELIGHTED by God’s Works & Attributes (v. 2)

We reflect (study, inquire, seek with care) on His Work (v. 2, v. 3, v. 4)

v. 2 - His Works are Great [Creation, Salvation of Noah, Call of Abraham, Birth of Isaac, 12 Sons, Life of Joseph, Redemption from Egypt, Wilderness Journey, Triumphant Entry into the Land, National Israel, King David’s Throne, Overthrow of Enemies, Judgment and Restoration of the Nation]

v. 3. His Works are Full of Splendor [also translated, weighty, glory/light God wears] & Majesty [ornaments; fruit; festive garments]

Nothing Dim, Dark, Dank or Destitute in His Works!!!

v. 4 His Works He will cause to be remembered- This is the REAL reason we don’t forget - God intervenes in our conscious world with His Written Truth - all so we learn and remember!

v. 6 Shown His people the power of His works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations...

Again, God Intervenes, even when the nation is sinful, so much more did He intervene through Jesus when we were still His enemies!

v. 7 - His Works are Faithful and JUST -

So, no matter how much we malign God, He is Faithful and

He brings about a Correct Decision / Claim / Judgment (Mispat is underlying word for “Just)

v. 9 - His Redemptive Work - taking back through purchase what was rightfully His in the first place

We also Reflect on His Great Attributes on Display:

His Righteousness (v. 3) - He is inherently Righteous

His Grace & Mercy (v. 4) - He is Gracious/Good and He is Merciful (withholding earned judgment)

His Provision (v. 5) - He is the Provider [Conditional in this Instance for those who FEAR HIM]

His Covenant (Israel) (v. 5b & 9) - He is Honorable

His Power & Promise (v. 6) He is Powerful

Trustworthy (v. 7) He Commands are Trustworthy because HE IS TRUSTWORTHY

unlike lawyers, politicians and bankers… some children, many teenagers and most adults…

[Psalm 19:8-10 - The Precepts of the LORD are right - rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure enlightening the eyes; (9) the fear of the LORD is clean enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. (10) More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter than the honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

His Faithfulness & Uprightness (v. 8) He is Faithful and Upright

A “Sure thing” Reliable!

and we don’t forget to:

RESPECT the LORD so that as our understanding of His Holy and Awesome Name grows it results in Continual Praise (v. 10)

Proverbs 1:7 & Proverbs 9:10 Carry on this them “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom”

Notice “Those that practice it” comes from Hebrew asaw - meaning to DO or EXECUTE

There is no hesitation, hedging or hiding - you TRUST and TAKE ACTION in regard to RESPECTING the LORD

You do not DIMINISH HIS GREATNESS

You do not DEMEAN HIS CHARACTER

You do not DEMAND HIS RESIGNATION TO YOUR WILL

Instead, You Trust in Him, You Turn to Him in Respect and you Trumpet Praises to His Name!