BIG IDEA: GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD;
FOR HIS LOVINGKINDNES IS EVERLASTING
(:1-3) INTRODUCTION:
3-fold statement of the theme: praise to the triune God
absolute sovereignty of God as:
- “God of gods”
- “Lord of lords”
I. (:4-9) GOD’S LOVINGKINDNESS DEMONSTRATED IN CREATION
A. Summary of Creation = “great wonders”
“To Him who alone does great wonders”
B. Made the Heavens
“made the heavens with skill”
C. Made the Earth
“spread out the earth above the waters”
Cambridge: “In verse 6, laid upon uses a word which denotes the beating of metal into a thin sheet. The passage implies that the wisdom by which God made the created order can be discerned indirectly by man, as he ponders the creation (cp. Ps. 8)."
D. Made the Great Lights
1. “the sun to rule by day”
2. “the moon and stars to rule by night”
II. (:10-22) GOD’S LOVINGKINDNESS DEMONSTRATED IN
ESTABLISHING ISRAEL IN THE PROMISED LAND
A. Deliverance from Egypt
1. “smote the Egyptians in their first-born”
2. “brought Israel out from their midst”
3. “with a strong hand and an outstretched arm”
B. Parted the Red Sea
“divided the Red Sea asunder”
“made Israel pass through the midst of it”
“overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea”
Cambridge: “The rare verb swept (verse 15, literally ‘shook off’) occurs at Exod. 14:27,
while the verb divided (verse 13) is used of the parting of the Red Sea only in this psalm.”
C. Led His People in the Wilderness
D. Defeated Mighty Kings
1. Sihon, king of the Amorites
2. Og, king of Bashan
E. Gave Israel the Inheritance of the Land
(:23-26) SUMMARY
A. Remembers the Lowly
B. Rescues us from our Adversaries
C. Gives Food to all Living Things
D. Give Thanks to the God of heaven, For His Lovingkindnes is Everlasting
* * * * * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) How important is it to recognize the sovereignty of God over all things? Is there anything that can happen in your life outside of the control of God? Why do people have a problem with admitting the sovereignty of God with respect to salvation (doctrines of
predestination, election, etc.)?
2) How is it that some acts of God can look to be so severe and harsh and yet be identified here as proofs of His lovingkindness?
3) In your own life, what have been some instances of being in a “low estate” where God has demonstrated His lovingkindness?
4) Do we remember every day to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and lovingkindness?
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
from:
http://www.bibleoutlines.com
