August 15, 2021

Praise the Lord (#2)

Preacher:
Passage: Psalm 147:1-20
Service Type:

Introduction

Looking again at the Hallelujah Psalms

Some translate it as Alleluia

To praise the Lord – needs faith

“Without faith it is impossible to please God”
If you do not sing from the heart – you are not praising the Lord
We must avoid distractions – example
It should come from your heart

2 Chronicles 20:5-6, 12 – the prayer of Jehoshaphat

We may be in situations where we do not know what to do – our eyes should be on the Lord
The Spirit of God came down on a man who prophesised
The people worshiped God
The army marches out with the singers before them
God gave a remarkable victory

“without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Heb 11:6
Overview:

The Lord of Praise
The People of Praise

The Lord of Praise
Reasons to praise God:

God is a rebuilder and restorer of lives (v2-3)

The context:

Perhaps Israel after the exile
Perhaps before the exile under the reign of King David

We are not told the original context

Yet the psalm points forward to the gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ
God build up Jerusalem
God is building up His church (the spiritual Jerusalem)

v3 – Gospel words

Bringing forgiveness of sin and healing
Example from the book ‘The secret thoughts of an unlikely convert’ of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield’s remarkable conversion [long example]

She would see herself in this psalm – someone who was broken and an outcast, but brought into God’s family

We praise God that He loves all

God is a transcendent God (v4-5)

We praise Him for who He is

v5 – He is great, mighty in power and has infinite understanding
God’s understanding is infinite

More than any learned scholar

v4 – God counts all the stars

He knows better than any technological advances allow us to count

He has dominion over them

He calls them by name

God is an inverter of human values (v6)

We lift up the wicked but God casts the wicked down

The world lifts up those who are paraders and proud
God lifts up the despised

God is the creator and sustainer of every living thing (v8-9, 16)

God sets the weather – v8

Even though we may not like rain

Imagine a place without rain – a parched land

We praise Him in days of sunshine and rain

God gives food to the animals – v9

He provides for the natural world

God gives snow and frost – v16
God gives hail and cold – v17

We cannot control the elements but God orders all things
God is sovereign

God is a sovereign Lord over His people (v19-20)

God has chose a people for Himself

Israel
He gives them statues and judgments
We too have the Bible

The People of Praise

v12 – God has a special love for Jerusalem

The Jews will be brought back one day
God is calling people out of every tribe, tongue and nation

There is now no differentiation – we are all one in Christ Jesus

It is this ‘Jerusalem’ that will praise God
Yes creation will praise God – but it is for us to praise God

How do we praise God?

Singing – v1

This is an expression of cheerfulness

Yes we can praise God in other ways

Quote from Martin Lloyd Jones and Spurgeon
Singing out loud so others can join in
Ps 50:23, Ps 149:4
Join with the angels and saints in heaven to sing and praise His name

Sing with thanksgiving – v7

With a grateful heart and gratitude

Sing with an instrument – v7

The Old Testament was more physical but we should not do away with instruments
They help our spirits to rise before the living God

Why should we sing? – v10-11

Because it brings God pleasure
God takes pleasure in His people – those who fear and hope in Him

Respect and awe

God does not take pleasure in human resources but in His people

He gives protection

v13 – God protects His people

He gives prosperity

v13 – He blesses our children

Example of the time of Kind David
God is saving His children throughout the world
A prosperity of spiritual blessing

He gives peace

v14 – we have peace with God and peace in God

He gives plenty

v14 – This is now in the Gospel

Closing Remarks