Let all the peoples praise Him
Introduction
What is at the centre of a Cadbury’s Cream Egg?
What is at the centre of a clam at the bottom of the sea?
What is at the centre of the Bible?
Ps 117
It speaks of deep truths
It calls on people of all nations – to Praise the Lord
It speaks to the Jews – God was calling on all peoples to praise Him
Overview:
One great call to praise His name
Two great reasons for praising His name
One great call to praise His name
Remember we have been studying the Hallel Psalms (113 – 118)
They would have sung these Psalms at each Passover
All Nations
The Jews needed to be reminded they were not an exclusive group
We must remember Jews
When they sung these Psalms they were reminded that God was a God of all the nations
The promise through Abraham was to bless all nations
We have different nations represented in Church today
The call goes out to all ethnic groups
The Gospel call is going out to all nations
Many are praising God in their own tongue
“Laud Him”
A special word – used only 4 times in the Old Testament
‘Loudly extolling God’
In the UK – our praise is reserved
We are called to give our all to God
The peoples of the earth
There are many religions in the world
There is a desire in people’s hearts to worship
We live in a secular society that might make you think the majority are atheists
Most people are ‘theists’
This Psalm calls for exclusive praise of the one God Jehovah
Only one God has created the universe and revealed Himself in His word
Only the one true God laid down in Scripture
Men and women are made to worship God
There is a sense of emptiness without fulfillment in God
Our greatest joy is to know and love God
Example from CS Lewis
True praise – not just extolling God but enjoying Him
Ps 147:1
Quote from CS Lewis – The humblest minds are the happiest people who praise the most
A Missionary Psalm
How can the people praise unless they know the truth of God’s word?
The ultimate goal of the church is worship
Mission takes place so that others can worship
The call of God is first and foremost to worship Him
This might be in a religious building
But we are called to worship in spirit and in truth
Jesus made clear – it is not about a building
God’s call is not to being good or cleaning up your life – but to worship Him
Ps 116 :1
Is it your desire to praise and extol Him?
Two great reasons for praising His name
His merciful kindness towards us
His covenant / steadfast love
Consider how disappointed we are when people see faults in us
God sees all – this makes us deeply ashamed
Yet God offers us steadfast love through Jesus Christ
An ending love
A mercy we do not deserve – seen at the cross of Jesus Christ
“Us”
Those in covenant with God
Those brought into a loving relationship with God
Those who honour Him
David – was a man after God’s own heart
He sinned greviously
Ps 32:1-2
He found forgiveness in the Lord
Ps 103:2-4
Ps 51
He remembers the multitude of God’s mercies
He is merciful to those who fear Him
Ps 103:8-13
Judgement is His strange / unusual work
God loves to forgive sin
Do you feel you have sinned to far?
Meditate on these words
Consider the Example of Paul
One great reason – his loving kindness and covenant love
The Truth of the Lord endures forever
We are not truthful
We are not upright or just
God is Holy, just and true
He is faithful to His promises – they all come to pass
You can rely upon Him
His every word is true
You can trust the Truth of Scripture
It explains about war, the wickedness of men and human nature
It explains about what God has done
It lasts forever
We look at politicians and despair
Yet if we look at our hearts – we realise we are not what as we should be
We can ask God to create a new heart within us
Jesus Christ has said “He is the way, the truth and the life”
Jesus Christ said “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”
Rom 15:8-12
Jesus was born a Jew
To confirm the promises made to the Israelites
This was being confirmed throughout the Roman Empire – despite being written hundreds of years before
People were worshiping the Living God
Phil 4 / Thessalonians
Give thanks in all things
Example of Sonia
We can sing because His covenant love never fails
Let us praise God!