29 Jul THE HALLELUJAH PSALMS 1. AN A-Z OF HOW TO PRAISE GOD (Psalm 145)
INTRODUCTION
Gateway to Psalms 146-150 – the final Psalms of praise (the ‘Hallelujah Psalms’)
Last recorded Psalm of David
Acrostic Psalm – each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Considered by Jewish writers to be one of the greatest Psalms in the collection
Called simply “David’s song of praise” in KJV
3 questions to consider:
1. HOW SHOULD I PRAISE GOD?
a) Individually
i) Determinedly, wilfully (“I will” v1, 2, 5, 6, 21)
ii) Despite circumstance (v2)
b) Communally
i) Together; “They shall…and I will”(v6), “all your saints” (v10)
ii) To each other, and to a younger generation (v4),
see Deut 31:10-13, Col 3:16-17
c) By… speaking, singing, celebrating, thinking, meditating, listening,
responding, enjoying
2. WHAT DO I PRAISE GOD FOR? – HIMSELF & HIS WORKS a) His greatness
Great (3), mighty (4), splendour (5), majesty (5), wonder (5),
awesome deeds (6), fame (7), power (11), dominion (13)
b) His goodness
Gracious & merciful (8), slow to anger (8), steadfast, loving (8), faithful, kind (13), caring (14), benevolent (15), generous (16), near (18)
c) His righteousness
Righteous (7, 17), upholds truth (18), hearing & saving (19), preserves those who love him (20), judges justly (20)
3. WHERE DO I LOOK TO HELP ME PRAISE GOD?
a) Look back: what God has done
i) v8, quoting Exodus 34:6
ii) Reinforces truths, faith, identity as God’s people
b) Look around: what God is doing
i) v2 “every day” 1 Peter 2:9 “that you may proclaim”
ii) Lord’s prayer
c) Look forward: what God will do
i) v21 “let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever”
ii) Rev 19:6-7
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