PSALM

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS–PSALM 147:7
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:”

What are you thankful for? Have you taken time to take inventory of how God has blessed you during this past year? The Psalmist to sing with thanksgiving. That implies happiness and joy. Let’s consider a couple of things that ought to make us thankful.

I. A NEW POSSESSION.

A. Partakers of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

B. Having escaped the corruption of the world, Ephesians 2:1-2, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2-Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

1. We are alive unto the Lord now.

2. The corruption on sin no longer has a hold on us.

C. We have received the Holy Spirit of God, Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

1. To guide our lives.

2. To open our understanding of His Word.

II. A NEW PERCEPTION.

A. We are new creatures in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

B. We are citizens of a new land, Ephesians 2:19, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

C. Jesus has promised to take us there, John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2-In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3-And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

CONCLUSION

HAPPY IS HE WHOSE HOPE IS IN THE LORD
PSALM 146:1-10

Key verse: v. 5, Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

This is the “Hallelujah” section of the book of Psalms. From here to the end of the book is about PRAISE. The word “hallelujah” means “PRAISE YE JEHOVAH,” frequently rendered “Praise ye the LORD.” This appears 24 times in the Psalms.

Charles Spurgeon writes of this portion of the Psalms, “The rest of our journey lies through the Delectable Mountains. All is praise to the close of the book. The key is high pitched: the music is upon the high sounding cymbals. O for a heart full of joyful gratitude, that we may run, and leap, and glorify God, even as these Psalms do.”

I. MEN NEED TO BE CALLED TO PRAISE vv. 1-5

A. Praise the LORD, v. 1; Psalms 107:8, 15, 21, 31, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

1. It is a call to worship and praise, Psalm 135:3, “Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.”

2. It is a call to faithfulness, Deuteronomy 5:29, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”

B. Praise the LORD, O my soul, v. 1; Psalms 103:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

1. For His greatness, Psalms 104:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.”

2. For His works among men, Psalms 103:22, “Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.”

C. Men need to praise the LORD while they live, v. 2; Psalms 104:33, “I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”

1. Testifying of the salvation we have in Christ, Psalms 71:15, “My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.”

2. Manifesting the trust and happiness we have in the Lord, vv. 3-5.

a. Men are not trustworthy, Psalms 62:9, “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.”

b. It is better to trust in the Lord, Psalms 118:8, ”It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

D. A Happy Man has the God of Jacob as his God.

1. The God of Jacob is the only living and true God, Jeremiah 10:10, “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.”

2. The God of Jacob is the God of the covenant, Deuteronomy 4:23, “Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.”

3. The God of Jacob is the God of wrestling prayer, Genesis 32:24-30, “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25- And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26- And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27- And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28-And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29- And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30- And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

4. The God of Jacob is he God of the tried believer, 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

II. OUR HAPPINESS IS DRAWN FROM GOD’S PROTECTION vv. 5-10

A. The Lord never dies for He is everlasting, Isaiah 40:28, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.”

1. He is the Creator, v. 6; Psalms 33:6, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”

2. Who is the Faithful God, v. 6; Psalms 89:33, “Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.”

B. He supplies the believer’s needs, vv. 7-10.

1. He administers justice, v. 7; Proverbs 22:22-23, “Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.”

2. He opens the spiritual eyes of the blind, v. 8; Matthew 11:5, “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”

3. He protected strangers, v. 9; Deuteronomy 10:19, “Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

4. The Mosaic Law made provision for destitute persons, v. 9; Jeremiah 49:11, “Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.”

CONCLUSION:

Jehovah is King, and his kingdom can never come to an end, v. 10; Psalms 10:16a, “The LORD is King for ever and ever:” Psalms 145:13, “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”

HAPPY IS THAT PEOPLE, WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD
PSALM 144

Key verse: Psalm 144:15, Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

There are many Christian people today that are completely miserable in life. They don’t have the joy of the Lord in their lives. The Psalmist wrote: “happy is that people whose God is the Lord.” Now, why are so many Christians unhappy?

The answer to that question lies in the Word of God. Let’s consider what the Scriptures teach in this regard.

I. BLESSED IS EVERY ONE THAT FEARETH THE LORD

Psalm 128:1-2, Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Proverbs 28:14, Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

A. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of WISDOM, Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”

1. Happy is the man that finds WISDOM, Proverbs 3:13, Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

2. Happy is the man that gets UNDERSTANDING, Psalm 119:34, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

a. The precepts of God give understanding, Psalm 119:104-105, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

b. The Word of God gives understanding to the simple, Psalm 119:130, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

B. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of KNOWLEDGE, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

C. Those that will not fear the Lord will find TROUBLE, Proverbs 28:14, Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

II. HAPPY IS THE MAN THAT TRUST IN THE LORD

Proverbs 16:20, He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

A. He is happy because he KEEPS God’s law, Proverbs 29:18, Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

1. The happy Christian has a vision of what the Lord is doing and can do.

2. He is obedient, therefore he enjoys God’s blessings, Isaiah 1:19, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:”

B. He is happy because the Lord is his HOPE, Psalm 146:5, Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

1. His hope is not in this life only, 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

2. His hope is in the Second Coming of Christ, Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

C. He is happy because the Lord CORRECTS and GUIDES him, Job 5:17, Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

1. God deals with him as a son, Hebrews 12:7, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”

2. God’s dealing with him proves God’s love, Hebrews 12:6, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

III. HAPPY IS THE MAN THAT ENDURES AFFLICTION FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

James 5:10-11, Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11- Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

A. The Prophets are our examples, James 5:10, “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

B. If you “suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye:” 1 Peter 3:14, “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”

C. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;” 1 Peter 4:14, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

CONCLUSION:

The conclusion of all of this is that the believer that is busy in the Lord’s work is a happy Christian. It is when we are doing little for the Lord that we feel unhappy. God has put that desire in our hearts to be busy for him. Only when unconfessed sin or unforgiven abuses get in the way of our serving the Lord are we unhappy.

THE GOD OF MY STRENGTH

PSALM 43:1-5

Introduction:

This psalm seems to be an appendix of the last psalm and consequently it needs no title.

John Gill writes: “Some take this and the preceding to be but one psalm, and this might be written with that on account of the rebellion of his son Absalom.”

David complains of his enemies, and asks the privilege of communion with God as his surest deliverance from them.

I. THE LORD IS OUR DELIVER v. 1

A. He JUDGES according to TRUTH, v. 1; Romans 2:2, “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.”

B. He PLEADS our cause, v. 1; Psalms 35:27, “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

C. He fights as a WARRIOR for our cause, Exodus 15:3, “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.”

II. THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH v. 2

A. He is our ROCK, v. 2; Deuteronomy 32:18, “Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.”

1. He is our DWELLING PLACE, Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”

2. He is our REFUGE in time of TROUBLE, Psalms 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

B. He is our STRENGTH, v. 2; Psalms 28:7, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

1. Spiritual strength, “my heart trusted in Him,” Psalms 22:4, “Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.”

2. Spiritual support, “I am helped,” Psalms 118:15, “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.”

C. The language of unbelief, “why dost thou cast me off?” v. 2; Psalms 94:14, “For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.”

1. David experiences discouragement, Psalms 71:9, “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.”

2. The he is encouraged by God’s promise, Psalms 94:14, “For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.”

3. Later he gave good counsel to his son Solomon, 1 Chronicles 28:9, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”

III. THE LORD IS OUR LIGHT vv. 3-4

A. Let your LIGHT lead me, v. 3; Psalms 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

B. Let your TRUTH [God’s FAITHFULNESS] lead me, Psalms 25:5, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”

C. They will lead me into your presence, THE PLACE OF WORSHIP, the Holy of Holies, vv. 3-4; Hebrews 9:2, “For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;”

1. The Lord’s leading ALWAYS brings us to His place of worship, His House, v. 3; Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

2. His leading ALWAYS brings us before His throne in prayer, v. 4; Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

D. They will lead us to rejoice and praise our God, v. 4; Hebrews 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

CONCLUSION:

David concludes this psalm with two questions, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?” He answers his own questions. “Hope in God.”

Charles Spurgeon comments: “There is need of patience, but there is ground for hope. The Lord cannot but avenge his own elect. The heavenly Father will not stand by and see his children trampled on forever.”

PRAISE THE LORD WITH THE WHOLE HEART
PSALM 138: 1-8

Key verse: v. 8, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”

Introduction:

This is a Psalm of thanksgiving to God for those great deliverances which he had granted to David from Saul and other enemies; by the remembrance whereof David encourageth himself to trust in God in all him future difficulties.

I. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS AND TRUTH

A. David praises the Lord with a “WHOLE HEART,” Psalm 9:1, “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”

1. David’s praise was whole hearted BEFORE the ENTIRE CONGREGATION, Psalms 111:1, “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”

2. David’s praise was IN the SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING what God had done for him, 1 Corinthians 14:15, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”

a. Our worship of the Lord is based on UNDERSTANDING of His Word, Psalms 119:130, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

b. Our praise in song is with understanding of the words we sing, Psalms 47:7, “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.”

B. David was NOT ASHAMED TO PRAISE his God BOLDLY before the heathen, Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

1. Praising God is work that the GREATEST of men NEED NOT BE ASHAMED OF, 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

2. The people noted the BOLDNESS of the Apostles that they had been WITH JESUS, Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

B. David praises the Lord FOR TWO THINGS, v. 2.

1. For the Lord’s LOVINGKINDNESS, Psalms 5:7, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.”

2. For the Lord’s TRUTH, Psalms 85:10, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

C. David knew that God had MAGNIFIED HIS WORD, v. 2; Isaiah 42:21, “The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.”

D. David KNEW BY EXPERIENCE how God responded to his prayers, v. 3.

1. God HEARD his prayer, Psalms 18:6, “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”

2. God’s reply was IMMEDIATE, Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”

3. Strength from the Lord was THE RESULT, Ephesians 3:16, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”

II. DAVID PROPHESIZES THAT THE KINGS OF THE EARTH WILL PRAISE THE LORD vv. 4-6

A. In the LATTER DAYS all kings of the earth will worship the Lord, Psalms 72:11, “Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.”

B. When they HEAR God’s Word, Isaiah 52:15, “So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.”

1. They shall LISTEN, Job 29:9-10, “The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. 10- The nobles HELD THEIR PEACE, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.”

2. They shall SEE what they had not known, Isaiah 55:5, “Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.”

3. They will CONSIDER what they had not heard, Romans 16:26, “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”

III. DAVID PROFESSES THE FRUIT OF HIS TRUSTING IN GOD IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLES vv. 7-8

A. Trust the Lord brings POSITIVE RESULTS, v. 7; Psalms 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: FOR THOU ART WITH ME; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

1. God preserved his life amidst all his troubles, Psalms 71:20, “Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt BRING ME UP AGAIN from the depths of the earth.”

2. The Lord raised David up, Psalms 144:2, “My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and HE IN WHOM I TRUST; who subdueth my people under me.”

B. God will COMPLETE in works in us, v. 8; Jeremiah 32:39-40, “And I will give them ONE HEART, and ONE WAY, that they may FEAR ME for ever, FOR THE GOOD OF THEM and of their children after them: 40- And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put MY FEAR in their hearts, that they shall NOT DEPART FROM ME.”

CONCLUSION