June 19, 2022

Let all the peoples praise Him

Preacher:
Passage: Psalm 117:1-2
Service Type:

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!