A Crescendo of praise
Notes
Transcript
Preparing for the Company Front
Ever watch a marching band half time show? Did you ever notice that almost every show has a moment in it called a “company front”? It is that moment when the building music reaches its climax and the band forms a giant line..... or huge image… and the moves itself up the field towards the crowd as if every member of the band is part of one giant united whole....
That is the moment when the crowd stands and cheers.... and when the goose bumps come....
The interesting thing about that moment… is that it can’t come without the preceeding 8 minutes of build up.
If the band came out and just played the grand climax of the show.... it would not be quite as awe-inspiring.... people probably wouldn’t even pay attention.
But… as the band begins the show and slowly builds the momentum of the music… and brings it to a place of tension that must be resolved.... then.... and only then… will the moment of awe be truly appreciated.
If you were to read through the Psalms… especially psalms 93-100… that climactic company front moment would be right where we are in Psalm 99.
Psalm 99 is considered an Enthronement Psalm. That means that it is an awe-inspiring, majestic psalm that describe the grandure (amazing awesome-ness) of God’s sovereign rule over all His creation and His providential care … as He sustains, controls, and directs all that He has made (48, 93, 96-99) —>
Starting in psalm 93, there is a crescendo of praise that comes to its climax in psalm 100… So as we examine psalm 99 today… this growing intensity of praise… is almost at its peak! Psalm 93 started at piano.... and now at this point in the crescendo we are already singing at fortissimo! Celebrating the truth that Yahweh is Lord of all the earth!!!
While you find your place in Psalm 99, let me remind you of some information we covered at the beginning of this series. Remember that the Psalms, when read together, tell a story and each of the 5 books has an overarching theme..
(1-41) God rescues His king from his enemies
(42-72) God rescues his people from their enemies through His king
(73-89) Israel taken into exile: No king on the throne…. how could God abandon His king and His people
(90-106) During exile: God is still king over all the world
(107-150) Post exile: God’s promises to David are not dead…. have hope… the fulfillment of those promises are still to come!
The setting of our psalm is this: The nation of Israel is still living in exile… awaiting their promised return to the Land.... and while there is still no human (Davidic) king sitting on the throne..... there is hope in the hearts of the people as they trust God’s promises and believe in the truth that God is still king over all the world!
As you look at verse 1 of Psalm 99, notice that the first phrase you read is: “The Lord reigns”.
This is not a question but a statement of reality that sets the tone of the psalm. The Psalmist isn’t trying to convince us that the Lord Reigns. He does. Fact. No arguments.
(Just like the Bible assumes God’s existence in Genesis 1… the Psalmist is assuming God’s reign as King over all the earth!)
When we read, the Lord reigns! Our question should be: How does the Lord reign?
Through our study today, we will see the Psalmist explain to us 3 aspects of the Lords reign.
The Lord reigns with awe-full holiness, righteous justice, and with responsive intimacy.)
Each aspect of God’s reign is directly related to His character as God. 3 times throughout the psalm a phrase is repeated that points us directly to God’s Holiness!
When there is a phrase that is repeated in the Psalms that is usually done for emphasis…. instead of using a different font… or underlining it…. or using air-quotes…. the Hebrew poets used repetition as one way of emphasizing something they thought was important….
Where else do we see that in the Bible?
Isaiah 6:3 — A seraphim around the throne of God proclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts...”
Jesus: Verily, verily…. (John 3:3 & throughout the gospels...)
The 4 living creatures described in Revelation 4:8.... Around the throne of God proclaiming: Holy holy holy…
The Psalmist does not want us to miss the truth of God’s holiness today! So this repeating chorus serves as an emphasis and volume marker. We will use these markers to divide our study into 3 sections, each ending with a phrase proclaiming the Holiness of the Lord!
As we begin reading today, remember that a slow crescendo has been building to a climax since psalm 93. --
The band is lining up.... meeting together in the middle of the field… they are preparing to move forward at full volume as Psalm 99 loudly announces.... Our Still God Reigns! and His character is absolutely Holy!
Our God is Holy!
As the words of this inspired Psalm penetrate our hearts today… we are confronted with this truth:
The Character of God demands our response. (The question is: what will be our response?)
Let’s begin as the Psalmist describes God’s reign as a reign of Awe-full Holiness.
I. Awe-full Holiness! (1-3)
There is a really neat poetic device used by Hebrew poetry. It is this A-B structure. Notice in your Bible’s how the verse is broken up into these different lines. it’s not because they wanted to take up more room… its to emphasize a point the author is making.
To really understand the point of Hebrew poetry, you need to have at least a little idea of how it is written.
Remember this phrase: “A” what’s more “B”. — Kind of an odd phrase, but what it means is that each line can be labeled as either A, B… sometimes C and D, etc… depending on how long the poem is.
Basically line “A” makes a statement.... then line “B” usually explains and/or magnifies that statement.
Look at verse 1-3
1 The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The Lord reigns as he sits enthroned upon the cherubim! (Ezekiel 1:4-28)
(Paraphrase verses 4-25…) -- turn there with me...
And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.
Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
This is the picture of heaven that the psalmist is describing when he says, the Lord reigns enthroned upon a cherubim in the first half of verse 1.
How does mankind respond?
The people tremble.... the very earth itself quakes!
This is a summons to pay homage and submit to the Lord’s eternal power as He sits upon His throne! The people tremble (verse 1)… no.. even more than that… God is so holy… that the earth itself quakes at his holy awesome-ness! --- Wow!
2 The LORD is great in Zion; (Israel)
he is exalted over all the peoples. (the nations)
How is mankind to respond to that reality?
3 Let them (Israel and the nations) praise your great and awesome name!
Holy is he!
Do you see how the second part to each line either explains or magnifies what was said in the first line. That is pretty cool!
This first section of verses ends with the phrase “Holy is he!” Remember each of the three sections of this Psalm end in a similar way.... pointing us to God’s holiness.
What is holiness? How can we describe the concept of “Holy”? — It is not as easy as you might think —
Holiness = is a concept that is impossible to totally understand/ explain… but is a truth that must absolutely be embraced!
When we think of holiness… we usually think of moral perfection, purity or right conduct. While holiness does include those things… it is much more.
At its core, the concept of “holy” is not an ethical concept. It is a character concept. It is a characteristic that is part of the very nature of God.
Holiness is not an action to be done.... it is a character to be embraced!
Holy is what distinguishes God from everything else. It sets God apart from His creation.....
Holy is who God is! … and holy is what each of us is called to be....
The word that gives us our english word for “holy” means to be separated… or set apart.
A saint is not a person who has achieved a certain level of goodness (most people think)… but rather one who has been set apart by God.
That is why all Christians are referred to as saints in the Bible. We have been “called out/ set apart” through our faith in Christ.
Here is the problem with a discussion about holiness. Yes, God is holy. But we are not.
Because we cannot fully understand holiness.... we assume it is an abstract or passive concept. It’s hard for us to even explain holiness without just saying what it is not.
Opposite of holy: sinful, cursed, fallen, faithless, un-sanctified. (We can related much more closely with what Holiness is not… than with what holiness is)
When we think of a holy God… many times we picture God’s holiness meaning that He is just the best version of us, possible.
(Loki: character - the one who remains.... the best most benevolent version of himself… a by product of his circumstances)
If that is our understanding of holy… then we’re wrong. God’s holiness is not just a by-product of His circumstances. God’s holiness is not just some passive attribute.
Holiness is the active and dynamic will of God that is at work to punish rebellion and establish righteousness.
The Holiness of God can be extremely comforting… and at the same time awful and threatening to us.
We can’t fully grasp God’s holiness so it intrigues us. But at the same time we feel a sense of danger and fear when confronted with God’s holiness.
When Isaiah came in contact with the holiness of God in Isaiah 6… he reacted in terror.
And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
When God revealed himself to Habakkuk and Job, they responded in a similar manner. (Hab. 3:16; Job 42:6)
When Peter was given a glimpse of Jesus’ holiness, he cried out:
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
These encounters with the awe inspiring… possibly life threatening holiness of God is exactly what the Psalmist is describing in verses 1-3.
God’s holiness.... is an awe-full holiness!
It at the same time thrills our souls… and scares us to death!
How does mankind respond to God’s awe-full holiness?
Tremble… quake…. praise His great and awesome name!
We totally over use and incorrectly use the word awesome! (pizza, car, ice cream, ....
Only our Holy God is truly Awesome!
— The awesome character of our Holy God demands a response! <—
What is that response? In 1 Peter 1:16, Peter quotes Leviticus 11:44 and tells us
since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Our response to the holy character of God.... is to embrace and become part of his nature.
Through faith in Christ… God invites you and me to become part of his family.... actually become partakers of His very own nature! (2 Peter 1:4)
Ever think of that? God… our Lord and king is so Awesome!!! and so Holy!!! that His awe-full holiness makes us tremble and causes the earth to quake.... and yet he invites you to be a partaker in that very same nature.... that very same holiness.... through a relationship with His son… Jesus Christ.
Those of us are are born again believers… have become partakers of God’s divine nature.... we are part of His family.. and have been granted the ability to approach his awe-fully holy throne any time....
In these first three verses the Psalmist has called us to be amazed by the awe-full holiness of our divine Lord and King. God’s holy character demands a response..... and that response is that we must be holy.... godliness must be part of our character… and conduct.
For the Christian… holiness is not optional.... it is mandatory.
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
Now as we move to the second section, the Psalmist picks up on an aspect of God’s holiness related to righteousness and justice… and helps us understand that our Lord’s reign… is not only a reign of awe-full holiness.. but it is a reign of Righteous Justice!
II. Righteous Justice! (4-5)
The moral uprightness of our righteous God is on display here.
The King in his might loves justice.
You have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
Exalt the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool!
Holy is he!
The Psalmist is emphasizing the Lord’s righteous rule among his people and over the nations!
The king in all of His might… loves justice!
Justice is a legal term.... a legal decision made by arbitration.... a just decision.
This phrase by itself tells us that God by His power.... which is never abusive... never used in an oppressive manner… rules with Righteous Justice!
Our God’s nature is a lover of justice…therefore it is impossible for Him to abuse His power. He loves to see everything done right… he acts with justice… fairness… and righteousness.
The rub here is that the justice that God loves.... may not be the same kind of justice that you love.
Much of the “justice” you hear about on the news, your instagram feed or YouTube are not really justice..... and would definitely not be described as things that God loves.
Much of the social justice, sexual equality, and other banners you see being waved are not driven by righteousness.... they are not driven by fairness.... they are driven by a desire to be right.... and see all those who disagree either punished or made to conform.
That is not real justice. Real justice is righteous!
As we try to wrap our minds around the Justice that God loves we have to understand the concepts of justice and equity listed in verse 4 together.... they help to more fully explain the justice that God loves.
The King in all of His might… has established true equity (equality?)
What is equity that He has established?
The word used here literally means “level” or a “level way”. It means evenness… uprightness.... fairness.
There are many organizations and people who say that they are fighting for equality (equity). Sounds like a good cause, right? I mean aren’t we all created equally in the image of God? yes we are!
But, a good question to ask is.... are the people I know or see.... seeking equity from a biblical worldview? A bible based perspective? --- Or are they seeking equality (equity) so that true righteousness may reign and the holiness of God be satisfied?
Or are they seeking “equality”.... so that their agenda reign and their sinful passions be satisfied?
What does real equity look like? (We have to look to God’s inspired Word for an example.... b/c we won’t find one anywhere else in the world....)
Isaiah 11:1-5 gives a pretty detailed description of what equity (fairness) means and looks like....
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Our Lord rules with perfect equity… perfect equality… perfect justice… perfect righteousness. He does not merely judge like we do, driven only by what he sees or hears… but by His holy righteousness!
Isaiah said that the Lord… in His righteousness… will judge the rich and the poor .... He will judge the every person the same.... no matter what color.... or economic status!
His eyes cannot be swayed by appearances.... His ears cannot be tickled by corruption or lobbyists....
He is righteously just… and that is who He is… that is how He reigns… and that is how He interacts with us.
The Lord’s holiness is the justice, fairness, and righteousness that characterizes how the Lord interacts with people in the world. (Mark D. Futato, “The Book of Psalms,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 7: The Book of Psalms, The Book of Proverbs (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009), 318.)
Verse 4 ends by telling us that…
The King in all of His might… has and always will do what is just and right… in every situation!
If all of these are true… and they are… then how is mankind to respond to God’s Righteous rule?
Verse 5 tells us that we are to: Exalt the Lord…. worship Him at His footstool.
We can pretty well understand that Exalting the Lord looks like. We can even grasp what worshiping the Lord is.... but what about this footstool? What kind of picture is the Psalmist painting?
If the Psalmist were describing a human king, then his footstool would be the platform on which the throne stood. People would come and pay homage to the king… and would bow down before the ‘footstool” or platform… not actually touching or approaching the actual throne.
But, the Psalmist is not describing an earthly king… He is describing the Lord God.... King of the universe!
God’s footstool could be a few different things.
It could be the earth. Isaiah 66:1 says that the earth are His footstool.
It could be Mount Zion (Isaiah 60:13)
But what the psalmist is most likely describing is the Ark of the Covenant. (Picture of the Ark)
The Ark was the means by which God had provided for His people to worship Him! The ark was an earthly picture of the heavenly scene where God was understood to be “enthroned between the cherubim”.
Remember what we read in Ezekiel… and Isaiah.... The Ark was a physical picture of God’s throne....
The Ark as the footstool representing the picture of God enthroned between the cherubim fits with verses 1-3… the Lord reigns! The Ark also reminds us of the law, which were placed inside of the Ark, which fits the emphasis the Psalmist is making in verses 4-5… focusing on God’s just and equitable rule.
David himself refers to the Ark as the footstool of our God in 1 Chronicles 28:2.
The Ark… this “footstool” was a terrible… and awe-inspiring part of Israel’s worship.
Those who approached it… and touched it in an unworthy manner were immediately struck dead (Lev. 10:1-3). Those who approached it in the way God had instructed were allowed to enter into the very presence of the Lord.
While this footstool of the Lord was a terrible… and inspiring part of Israel’s worship… it was also a picture of God’s mercy.
The portion of the Ark that was between the two cherubim was called the “mercy seat”. This is the place where the high priest was able to make atonement for the sins of the people. As the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled over the mercy seat.... the death of the innocent animal now stood between the presence of the holy God.... and the one who had broken God’s law (that is all of us). That was the only way in which people could approach God.... through the means which He had provided.
This is still the only way that we can approach God to worship Him. We are to worship at HIs footstool....
We are enabled to come before God and worship Him only because of the shed blood of Christ… who now stands in between the Holy God.... and the sinful law breaker (us). Picture
The Psalmist is calling us to come and worship our Awe-fully Holy.... righteous and Just Lord through the means which He has provided….
The OT saints approached the Lord through the Ark and the temple.....
we have the opportunity to approach the Lord.... through His Son… Jesus Christ.
Jesus poured out His blood.... standing in between God’s holy wrath against our sin… and us. Jesus absorbed God’s wrath… when he paid the penalty for your sins. (Picture)
Now… through faith in Christ.... you are to respond like the psalmist… and come to God… exalting Him because of HIs justice… His equity… His righteousness..... and praise His holy name!
Holy is He! (will you repeat that with me?) ---- Holy is He!
The Psalmist has shown us that our Lord reigns with awe-full holiness… and with righteous justice. He closes his song in verses 6-9 as he demonstrates how our Lord reigns with responsive intimacy!
III. Responsive Intimacy! (6-9)
The first two sections have been visions of the throne room in heaven. Now, in this third section the Psalmist speaks about God’s interaction with the leaders of the past.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
Why does the writer switch gears and change the scene from the heavenly throne room to this list of past leaders? It seems the writers purpose may have been to remind us that worshiping the Lord… our Holy God.. is not meant for the angels in heaven alone… but is for humans like us.
We are the ones who are being called to “exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool.... We are the ones who are called to worship the Lord at His holy mountain!
There is a healthy tension here we have to learn to live with. Yes… our God is absolutely Holy and separate from us… He is transcendent and separate from His creation..... and yet at the very same time… he is intimately engaged in the smallest details of our lives.
The Holy God of the universe.... responds to His people! That is amazing!
By listing Moses, Aaron, and Samuel… the psalmist is representing the priesthood as well as the prophets among those who have called upon the Lord.... and have been answered by the Lord!
Big spoiler alert! The psalmist wants us to understand from the testimonies of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel… that God answers prayer!
The God that answered the prayers of His priests and prophets.... and He is still in the business of answering the prayers of his saints!
Beloved.... that means you..... The transcendent… holy, righteous God of the Bible.... is the very same God that you can know and worship.... and be comforted by the reality that He hears your prayers.... and He answers your prayers!
The psalmist illustrates this truth in verse 7 as he calls up an image from the Exodus…
In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
they kept his testimonies
and the statute that he gave them.
O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
God… in all of His infinite glory and majesty… not only spoke to man… but He gave us His Word and expects us to keep it....
God has revealed himself to us through His Word… and His Spirit… and then perfectly through His Son! He has clearly communicated His Word… His expectations… His law… His grace to us.
When God’s people cry out to Him… He answers us!
When God’s people sin..... we can be forgiven!
Because our Holy God is also righteously Just.... while He forgives our sins… He also has us live through the circumstances of our sins.
That is our just God. That is true justice. God graciously forgives… but still must avenge… pay for… judge the wrong that is done.
Friends don’t ever forget.... that God not only hears you… but God alone is the only One who can and will forgive you of your sins.
How does mankind respond? : We are to...
Exalt the Lord our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for the Lord our God is holy!
There is a shift in the chorus this time. The first two sections ended with the phrase “He is Holy”.... but now the Psalmist is expressing an intimacy that has not been clearly spelled out until now.
Our God is holy!
Notice the possession described by the word “our”. God needs to be your God. (not your parents, grandparents, friends.... He needs to be YOUR God)
But, how does this holy God become our God… since we are not holy?
Through the atonement and forgiveness talked about in verse 8.
Those of us that are truly forgiven by God’s grace through faith in Christ.... are to exalt the Lord our God.... our personal God… who intimately answers our prayer.... who individually forgives our sins....
He is our God.... We belong to Him..... and because of that relationship.... we are enabled to and actually commanded to Worship.
We are not to worship just anywhere… we are to worship in His presence. The Psalmist calls us to worship at His holy mountain… this is where Jerusalem was built… and would be the place from where the Messiah would rule His Kingdom.
Interesting thing about this comment about worshiping at God’s holy mountain.
Only those who are forgiven… are able to worship at God’s holy mountain.
—> only believers are enabled to worship!
—> unbelievers cannot worship…
We were made to worship our Creator and Holy God. If you… or someone you know is not truly a born again Christian… then the reality is… it is impossible for you or them to worship the Lord.
Yes, you might be able to sing… and go through the motions… but if Jesus doesn’t have your heart.... nothing that comes out of your mouth is worhsip.
That is one reason why it is so important for us to respond in faith to Christ. He has made us to worship Him… and our sin has separated us from Him… making it impossible for us to do what we have been created to do!
But, praise the Lord that those of us who truly know God today… truly know Him through your relationship with Jesus… we can worship! and actually we must worship!
We are called to worship our Great and Holy God… who reigns over all the earth!
At the beginning of this psalm a call is given to the nations to be drawn to the Lord and praise God.
Here at the end of the psalm, the psalmist turns his attention to those who belong to God...... God is to be praised by His people!
Conclusion/ Application:
When you are presented with the Holy Awesomeness of God today.... how will you respond?
The Holy character of God demands our response! (Truth to take home: )
How can/ will you respond? (Response)
If God is Holy… then we must be holy (1 Peter 1:15). Holiness is not optional for the Christian.
If we are not holy (we’re not!), then we must run to Christ for forgiveness and cleansing. Holy the forgiven have the ability to worship God!
If we know God, then we must worship Him! (Hebrews 12:18-24; 28-29)
I want to close today by reading from Hebrews 12. Will you turn there with me?
The writer of Hebrews is expressing the very same truths that the Psalmist presented today.... the realities that as believers we must be holy… we must run to Christ… and that we must worship him!
As we read these verses.... let the truth of God’s Word crescendo in your own heart.... bringing you to a place of climactic praise and worship this morning!
For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Let’s stand and respond to God’s Word this morning as we sing about how God is Holy, Holy, Holy!