Psalm 104: Yahweh provides for His Creation and Creatures

The author of this psalm is unknown. This psalm is classified as a Hymn that is a descriptive psalm of praise. The author may have been correcting an ancient Egyptian poem written to worship the sun. If so, he surely displays that the suns maker, Yahweh, is the one to be worshiped rather than His creation. At the very least he had Genesis chapter 1 firmly in his mind as he wrote this psalm. Derek Kidner notes the Creation week of Genesis chapter 1 showing up in this hymn in an orderly way. William Kethe’s, “My Soul, Praise the Lord” and Robert Grant’s “O Worship the King” are based on this psalm.

Days Genesis 1 verses Psalm 104 verses             Subjects

Day 1     3–5                        2a                 light

Day 2     6–8                        2b–4                         atmosphere and water vapor canopy 

Day 3     9–10, 11–13        5–9, 10–13,14–18 land and water distinct; vegetation, trees

Day 4     14–19                        19–24                 luminaries as timekeepers

Day 5     20–23                        25–26                 creatures of sea and air

Day 6     24–28, 29–31        21–24, 29–30         animals and man, food appointed for all

I. The praise of God’s majestic splendor in creation of the earth and sky (vs. 1–4)

    A. I will praise Yahweh with my whole being

    B. God’s creative acts declare His glory and give us a lot for which to praise Him

    C. God is active yet separate from creation. This refutes both deism and pantheism 

    D. God is light, dwells in light, created natural light first, and light is vital to all life

    E. God set up the atmosphere on earth for life and His manifold creation

    F. God is in control of the wind, rain, and lightening

                                                                Hymn

O worship the King, all glorious above, O tell of God's might, O sing of God's grace,           O gratefully sing God's power & God's love; whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,          our Shield & Defender, the Ancient of Days,  whose chariots of wrath - deep thunderclouds form;  pavilioned in splendor & girded with praise.      & dark is God's path on - wings of the storm.

II. The divine formation of the land and the seas (vs. 5–9)

    A. On day 3 the water that covered the mountains and valleys was assigned to the oceans

    B. The dry land had already been formed, it was now visible from the sky

    C. God’s covenant promise to Noah and mankind is the earth will never be flooded again

    D. The poetic language for the earth’s rotation and spot in the solar system is used here

The earth with its store of wonders untold, 

Almighty, thy power hath founded of old; 

hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree, 

and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

III. The divine creation and preservation of land bound life on earth (vs. 10–18)

      A. God is the source and sustainer of life through streams, rain, and snow

      B. Man and many animals require O2 and H2O to survive

      C. All the plants and animals are in the service of man, made in God’s image

      D. God also provides food and medicine for all His creatures

      E. Man’s purpose is not to work, but to glorify God by his work

      F. Even the trees, birds, ibex and rock badgers get what they need from God’s created order

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?

It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; 

it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, 

and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

IV. The divine order and design in God’s created universe (vs. 19–23) **

      A. The ancients all went by a lunar calendar which marked the four seasons

      B. The moon has 29.5 days for each cycle, but visible there are 28 different moon phases

      C. There are 7 visible planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn

      D. God has put His order in creation, the lunar calendar gave a point of reference of time

      E. Daylight and night are additional boundaries set by God

V.  The divine wisdom in creation and usefulness of the oceans of the earth (vs. 24–26)

      A. The natural world reveals God’s creativity and awesome wisdom

      B. The sea reveals many amazing creatures at every depth

      C. Even the amphibious dinosaurs reveal God’s great power

VI. The divine sovereignty in creation and recreation on the earth (vs. 27–30)

      A. Yahweh provides what both man and animals need to survive

      B. Yahweh sets the time for births and deaths

      C. God life giving Spirit gives life and breath and new life

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, 

in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail; 

thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, 

our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

VII. The praise of God’s royal glory, awesome power, and holiness (vs. 31–35)

        A. All of life is about the glory of God, this world displays His glory

        B. God is powerful and holy; thus, He hates sin and His people hate sin

Lessons to live by:

• The triune Godhead created the universe; however, the Eternal Son of God was the primary agent of creation

• Paul says of Jesus: "because in connection with Him were created all things - in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities - they have all been created through Him and for Him. He existed before all things, and He holds everything together." (Col 1:16–17 CJB)

• We can do nothing greater in our lives than bringing God glory. This is the main thing.

Psalm 100: A Song of Praise to Yahweh

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 100 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. This is the last psalm in this section (93–100) of Enthronement Psalms. It serves like a concluding hymn on this section focused on God’s sovereign rule over all things.

  I. A call to give thanks to Yahweh (vs. 1–2)

     A. The KJV translation jokes made at church services help us misunderstand this text. It is not a          joyful noise made by the tone deaf. It is a loud, celebrative, joyful shout!

     B. See 1 Kgs 1:32–48 

     C. Long Live Melech Yeshua!

     D. Who is surrender to King Jesus? All the earth. Every ethnic group.

And the foreigners who convert to the LORD, minister to Him, love the Yahweh's name, and are His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it, and who hold firmly to My covenant–I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isa 56:6-7 HCSB)

     E. All nations must recognize that Yahweh alone is God

     F. Yahweh’s people exist by His grace and blessing. They trust in Him

     G. The nations are invited to sing hymns to Yahweh and to worship Him

     H. Submission to King Jesus’ rule is a joyous and grateful act in loving response to His            covenant promises

      I. The Bible is about the Promise/plan of God; Promises concerning

          1. Redemption 2. Messiah

          3. Kingdom         4. Revelation (of who God is)

          5. Rescue         6. Salvation, deliverance from sin

      J. “Gladness” is a result of serving, trusting, and obeying the Creator, Redeemer, and King

Through him [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Heb 13:15 ESV)     

      K. Worship is service, and it is work, and requires effort. But you don’t have to beg a real             believer to worship the God of the Bible. He/she wants too!

      L. See Ps 95:6, 96:8

 II. A call to celebrate the covenant between God and His people (vs. 3)        

     A. We are commanded to know something, actually to confess it

     B. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our covenantal master

     C. We are to know and confess that Yahweh alone is the true God of the universe

     D. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our God, we are accountable to Him

     E. We are to know and confess that Yahweh is our creator, not man or chance

     F. We are to know and confess our privileged position as believers: God is our Father, we 

         belong to Him, we relate to Him with the same closeness a sheep has to its shepherd.

    H. What does a shepherd do for his sheep? Psalm 23; Luke 15:3–6; John 10:1–18 

III. A second call to give thanks to Yahweh (vs. 4)

     A. Come to public worship, you must go through the gate to enter the Temple court

     B. The court of the Gentiles, Women, Israel, Priests, Holy of Hollies

     C. It is assumed a real believer will come to public worship with praise and thanksgiving

a sound of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the bride, and the voice of those saying, Praise the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His faithful love endures forever as they bring thank offerings to the temple of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as in former times, says the LORD. (Jer 33:11 HCSB)

    D. A thank offering was voluntary, set by the individual worshiper

    E. How far into the courts can we go, since Yeshua has come and died?

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (Heb 10:18–26 NASB)

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Eph 2:14 ESV)

      H. Thanksgiving focuses on what He has done for us in prayer (actions), Praise for who He is             (attributes)

IV. A second call to celebrate the covenant between God and His people (vs. 5)

      A. Yahweh alone is good, not any man

      B. Yahweh has (hesed) covenant love for His people that never ends

      C. Yahweh keeps his promises faithfully to every generation of His elect

Then the LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: Yahweh--Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers' wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation. (Exod 34:6–7 HCSB)

       D. Jesus does not lose one of His sheep. Jesus is the good Shepherd

       E. Like His Father, He keeps all His promises (I will never leave or forsake you)

Lessons to live by:

• Grateful statements and praiseful statements go together in our prayers to the God of the Bible. We remember what He has done, and who He is.

• Corporate worship is not optional for a real believer. Those who are not providentially hindered know the importance of corporate worship. Make-believers and Holy day Christians have no idea what a covenant relationship with God looks like.

• The promises are very important in the Bible. They are what we grab a hold of with our faith without seeing the final end.

• We have much to be grateful for and many things for which to praise God

• Long Live King Jesus!

Psalm 87: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

This psalm is a Zion psalm like Psalms 48, 76, 84, 122, 137. Like Psalm 84 and 85, this one  was also written by the sons of Korah. The historical context of this Psalm is unknown as it could have been written before, during, or after the Babylonian exile. It has such a distant future perspective and symbolism, that it does not matter when it was written.

  I. A Hymn that praises Zion [The kingdom of God] (vs. 1–2)

      A. Zion symbolizes God’s kingdom presence (The humans, angels, and places submitted to              the Messiah’s Lordship)

      B. God created the heavenly Jerusalem and God chose the earthly Jerusalem to be the place     where his name dwelt

      C. The hills on which the city of David and Jerusalem was built were not holy when the                      Jebusites were there. It was God’s presence in the tabernacle and temple that made the                    hills holy under earthly Jerusalem

      D. God has chosen this place and passed by all other man-made holy sites

What will one answer the messengers of the nation? The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge. (Isa 14:32 ESV)

Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. (Isa 28:16 NAU)

For he (Abraham) was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (Heb 11:10 ESV)

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- (Rev 21:9 ESV)

      E. God in his sovereignty chose the holy mountains of Jerusalem rather than any of the other            dwelling places of Jacob (Deut 12:21)

For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: (Psa 132:13 ESV)

      F. Yahveh continually loves Zion more than any other city (gates are symbolic for the city)

 II. A list that God keeps in Heaven (vs. 3–6)

      A. The focus changes in vs. 3 from earthly Jerusalem to the heavenly city of God

      B. The focus changes to the future unfulfilled prophecies spoken about Jerusalem

           (See Isa 2:2–4, 26:1–2, 60:15–22, 61:1–7)

      C. This heavenly city has an inhabitants list, a directory, a scroll, a book

By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Rev 21:24–27 ESV)

      D. The former captors and tormentors of Israel will have converts there

           1. Rahab the monster is Egypt

           2. Babylonian Empire

      E. Closer antagonist of Israel will have converts in this city and on this list

          1. Philistines

          2. Phoenicians from Tyre

      F. Distant Gentiles will have converts there, Ethiopia (scattered nations)

      G. All these Gentiles do not just fear God, the know God

      H. There is a textual variant in vs. 5 which includes the word “mother”

and Zion shall be called a mother in whom men of every race are born. (Ps 87:5a NEB)

       I. Paul seems to believe “mother” belongs in this verse by his allusion

But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. (Gal 4:26 ESV)

     J. Everyone on God’s list in the book of Life belongs to Him 

Therefore, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth- called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised- at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Isra'el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood. For he himself is our shalom- [peace] he has made us both one and has broken down the m'chitzah [temple court wall] which divided us (Eph 2:11–14 CJB)

     K. The Most High God established the heavenly Jerusalem and the people who will dwell                   there from every tribe, language, and people (Rev 5:9–10)

     L. The city registry of the heavenly Jerusalem was written by God

          (Exod 32:32; Ps 69:28; Dan 12:1; Mal 3:16; Phil 4:3; Rev 13:8, 21:27)

III. A joyful celebration in earthly Zion  (vs. 7)

      A. The Psalmist brings us back to earth for a celebration

      B. The singers and the dancers agree that their thirst will be quenched in Zion

      C. Zion still has fresh water flowing for the city (see Hezekiah’s tunnel)

      D. Corporate worship brought great joy to this people as well as the promises of heaven

Singers and dancers alike say, "For me, you are the source of everything." (Psa 87:7 CJB)

      E. The gathered people of God are a taste of heaven

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. (Ps 46:4 NIV)

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Rev 22:1–5 ESV)

Lessons to live by:

• Be very grateful that your name is recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20) if you belong to Jesus and know Him and He knows you (Mat 7:21–23)

• Enjoy your earthly fellowship with other believers, but realize it is just a foretaste

• Set your hopes and joy on the city that was built by God alone

• Sing about reaches all peoples like these ancient people did. But don’t be like Jonah and get mad at God because He shows grace and mercy to people different from you

• Realize that being in God’s kingdom means submitting to His King, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and light of the Gentiles

A hymn that teaches these things starts like this:

Glorious things of thee are spoken,

Zion, city of our God;

he whose word cannot be broken

formed thee for his own abode;

on the Rock of Ages founded,

what can shake thy sure repose?

With salvation's walls surrounded,

thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,

spring form eternal love,

well supply thy sons and daughters

and all fear of want remove.

Who can faint, when such a river

ever flows their thirst to assuage?

Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver,

never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hovering,

see the cloud and fire appear

for a glory and a covering,

showing that the Lord is near.

Thus they march, their pillar leading,

light by night, and shade by day;

daily on the manna feeding

which he gives them when they pray.

Blest inhabitants of Zion,

washed in the Redeemer's blood!

Jesus, whom their souls rely on,

makes them kings and priests to God.

'Tis his love his people raises

over self to reign as kings:

and as priests, his solemn praises

each for a thank-offering brings.

Savior, if of Zion's city,

I through grace a member am,

let the world deride or pity,

I will glory in thy Name.

Fading is the worldling's pleasure,

all his boasted pomp and show;

solid joys and lasting treasure

none but Zion's children know.   

[Words by: John Newton, 1779] 

Psalm 29: The Victorious Kingship of Yahweh

A Hymn of Praise

There are seven basic types of psalms: hymn psalm, lament psalm, thanksgiving psalm, psalm of remembrance, psalm of confidence, wisdom psalm, and the kingship psalm. Some divide the kingship psalms into those that proclaim David as king and those that proclaim Yahweh as king. This psalm is called by some an enthronement psalm, and it fits in both the hymn and kingship categories. David wrote this Psalm and it is similar to the Song of the Sea (Exod 15:1–19), the oracles of Balaam (Num 23–24), and the Song of Deborah (Jdg 5). The Jews used this Psalm during the feast of Pentecost.

 I. Praise of Yahweh’s kingship vs 1–2

    A. It begins in heaven with encouragement for the mighty ones to give praise to Yahweh. vs 1

         (See Isa 6:1–4) The mighty ones are heavenly beings, the saints and angels together in an 

         assembly. Ascribe or give is an act of the mind and voice.

    B. Praise Yahweh for His glory (honor, great beauty) and strength (power) vs 1

    C. The name of Yahweh reveals who He is, His works, covenant, and words. vs 2

    D. Worship, bow down, show reverence to the sovereign King. An act of the will. vs 2  

    E. Proper dress for worship or specific praise for the majestic holiness of God. vs 2

    F. True worship responds to God with love, awe, wonder, adoration, and fear.

  

II. The glorious voice of Yahweh vs 3–9 (“voice” is used seven times)

    A. Yahweh’s voice is in the thunder storm clouds over the Mediterranean sea. vs 3

    B. Be quiet while God does His work in the thunder storm. Acts of God. vs 3

    C. God is Creator, Sustainer, and is active in His universe. Deism is wrong.

    D. This section is a description of God’s power and singing this praise like the hymn, “How 

         Great Thou Art.”

    E. Yahweh rules creation, not Mother Nature!  (See Isa 2:12–22)

    F. Behold the majesty and power of our awesome God. vs 4

    G. Yahweh’s voice is in the storm over Lebanon in the North. vs 5 (The thunder storm moves 

         from the Med. to north of Israel through Israel to the southern wilderness in this Psalm)

    H. The tall cedars are shatter by God’s lighting bolts. vs 5

    I. Mt. Lebanon and Mt. Hermon (Sirion, Deut 3:9) ten thousand feet above sea level are         shaken by Yahweh like jellow in a bowl (earthquakes) vs. 6

    J. Yahweh’s voice causes the lightening to fork. He is in charge. vs 7

    K. The heavenly assembly is praising Yahweh as He directs the storm.

    L. Yahweh’s voice moves with the storm to the southern desert. vs 8

    M. Yahweh’s voice causes the destruction of the oaks and underbrush of the wilderness. vs 9

    N. Back to heaven, everyone calls out, “Glory.” The worship of heaven is shown to us to give 

         us a pattern for worship on the earth. God voice is heard in heaven and on earth. When we 

         reflect on the mighty acts of God, we should worship Him.

III. Praise of Yahweh’s kingship vs 10–11

    A. While all nature seems to be coming undone, Yahweh reigns as King. vs 10

    B. Yahweh was enthroned during the Flood. The wicked were judged. Noah’s family was           saved by grace. vs. 10

    C. Yahweh is enthroned as King for all time. vs 10

    D. When God shows up to judge He always saves His own.

    E. God rules over sky, sea, land and wilderness.

    F. He has the power to answer your prayers.

    G. God protect His people. You can trust Him.

    H. Yahweh gives His people strength to endure. vs 11

    I. Yahweh gives His people peace. vs 11

    J. You can have joy and peace in the midst of the storm. Jesus slept during the storm. He said,          “Peace, be still” and the sea was like glass.

    K. Make sure you belong to God in a new covenant relationship. His power is awesome. His 

         words and works should cause us to praise Him, trust Him, and love Him.

    L. Bring your needs to this awesome God. He is on the throne. He rules and reigns. He is 

         active in His world.