I. The Origin of Our Praise (v. 1)
A. Praise originates from our heart
"The widest thing in the universe is not space; it is the potential capacity of the human heart. Being made in the image of God, it is capable of almost unlimited extension in all directions."
A.W. Tozer
1. “Praise the Lord” = Hallelujah
2. The heart is always at issue in our live
(a) 1 Samuel 16:7
…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
(b) Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life.
(c) Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
(d) Matthew 15:18-19
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
O Lord, that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
William Shakespeare
B. Praise originates in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation
1. God’s people have reason to praise him!
2. Praise is essential to the vitality of God’s people.
3. It is in praise that our hearts and thoughts are focused upon the Lord.
4. It is in praise that God’s people encourage one another.
II. The Object of Our Praise (v. 2-9)
A. The Lord
1. This psalm is laid out in couplets.
2. God’s work is connected to His character.
B. Work: Honorable and glorious
1. Character: Righteousness (endures forever)
2. That which is done in righteousness will be honorable and glorious
3. That which is done in unrighteousness will not be honorable and glorious
(a) Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.
C. Work: Wonderful and to be remember
1. Character: Gracious and full of compassion
(a) Grace and compassion always produces works that leave an unforgettable impression on the deepest part of our heart.
(b) Psalm 86:5
For thou, Lord art good and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
(c) We should never forget God’s grace and compassion that brought salvation to us.
(d) Romans 5:8
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
D. Work: Given meat to those who fear Him. (Provision)
1. Character: Faithful (“mindful of his covenant”)
(a) God is always true to His word and His covenants.
(b) God’s faithfulness to His people leads Him to provide for them physically.
(c) Luke 11:11-13
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? orif he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
E. Work: Redemption
1. Character: Holy and Reverend
(a) Only a Holy God could provide eternal redemption
(b) Hebrews 9:12-14
Neither by blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
III. The Outgrowth of our Praise (v. 10)
A. Fear
1. Those who praise the Lord will also fear Him.
(a) Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.
B. Wisdom & Understanding
1. Praise focuses our attention on the Lord so that we are granted wisdom and understanding
(a) Proverbs 2:11
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding sall keep thee.
(b) Proverbs 4:5-7
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
C. Obedience
1. When we are focused upon the perfect God, obedience becomes the desire of the one who is praising the Lord.
(a) Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
(b) Romans 6:15-16
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
