Praise Prayer Series

CELEBRATING GOD IN PRAYER (PRAISE PRAYER)

Psalm 145:1-21

Sermon Objective: Teach praise prayer to God’s people and encourage them to practice it.

1. COMMITMENT TO PRAISE THE LORD (145:1-2, 21)

I will exalt you my God the king

I will praise your name forever and ever

Everyday I will praise you and

Extol your name forever and ever

Let every creature praise his holy name forever and ever

Note: “I will” indicates commitment to praise God.

Also observe “forever and ever” – commitment to praise God for all eternity

But also observe “everyday” – his commitment is not spoken in general terms, but is done “every day.”

2. GROUNDS FOR PRAISING GOD: NATURE AND WORKS (145:3-20)

Notice the exuberance of the praise that is to be given to God (“All”, “Every” Hebrew Kal – 17X

Observe that God’s works are connected to God’s nature. What God does shows His nature. Or we can say, His nature prompts Him to do these things.

A. Because God is a Great God (145:3-7)

“Most worthy of praise”, v. 3b

His greatness is beyond understanding – (Song: You are beautiful beyond description)

He will be talked about by one generation to another generation (v. 4):

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Note the intertwining of general and individual actions (They-I)

B. Because God is a Gracious and Compassionate God (145:8-16). These characteristics of God refer to His covenant relationship with His people. Observe three things:

1. See how many times the word “all” is mentioned. God is a generous God. He is committed to His promises.

2. Note the comparison that David makes between God’s goodness to “all creatures” and His goodness (grace and compassion) to His people:

a. God is good to all…. 145:9. We call this “common grace” – God’s goodness to the whole creation. Both good and bad people receive God’s goodness; But

b. God is even better to His own, see 10-16. God treats His children far better than others or anyone.

Faithful to all his promises, 13b (Note that 13b is an addition which the NIV used to complete the Hebrew alphabet (n). This is missing in other translation.

Loving to all he has made – 13c

Upholds his people who fall – the child of God may fall but he will not completely fall, because God will sustain him. (pare look for the verse in psalm that says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…. )

Provides for them – v 15

Satisfies the desire of every living thing, v. 16

“Sweet is the memory of thy name, we who taste thy richer grace.” Isaac Newton

C. Because God is righteous (Just/Faithful) (145:17-20). Note two things:

a. David praises God because He knows that God is righteous in all His ways.

b. David puts justice alongside kindness. The psalmist presents that there is an intrinsic good in all that God does.

Righteous – holy

Loving to all he made

Near to all who call on him – prayer. God communes with his praying people

God seeks for truth/sincerity (v 18) reverence (v 19) and love (v 20).

Righteous Grace – Good grace

3. PRAISING PRAYER LONGS THAT MORE WILL PRAISE GOD SO THAT GOD RECEIVES MORE GLORY AND HONOR (Movement of the psalm)

Note 145:1-2 – focused first on self; but in v. 21 the focused is in the whole world. Those who truly praise God live with “holy discontent”. They want more people to praise God. They want to see God honored, followed, loved, obeyed – glorified.

This could also be observed in the Hallel Psalms (146-150). Note the step-by-step progression in this praise. It begins with the individual (146:1), involves the community (147:1, 12), extends to heaven and earth (148:1, 7). If, however, the whole world is to offer praise for what the Lord has done for Israel (148:13–14) there is need for the praise of a people committed to mission (149) until everything that has breath praises the Lord (150:6). See also 145:1-2, 4, 21.

4. BENEFITS OF PRAISE PRAYERS

a. Praise Prayers exposes us to the Greatness of God which builds our faith up, and empowers our worship, transforms our minds.

b. This gives us God. A pauper who prays gets the little he or she asks the wise man who prays gets the King himself.

c. Equip us in encouraging others. The discipline that we develop in looking at the workings of God and praising God for them could be used in our ministry and relationship to one another.