Psalm 97: Yahweh’s Reign Brings Joy to His People

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 97 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. These ancient songs teach that Yahweh (the LORD) is sovereign over all the earth. He rules the world. He delivers His people simultaneous with punishing the pagan nations who are mistreating His people. His visitation provides them immediate relief from suffering. All these psalms refer to the king of heaven in His role as judge of mankind. The N.T. reveals that this task is assigned to Jesus the Messiah (John 5:22). These psalms also note the Messiah’s return will involve a judgment on the nations, probably a very direct judgment during the large battle of the nation's coming against Israel. 

  I. Yahweh’s glorious reign on earth and fiery presence at His appearing (vs. 1–6)

     A. When Jesus has dealt with His enemies in the Jezreel valley and comes to Jerusalem, He                 will arrive to institute His direct reign over the earth

     B. The righteous reign of Jesus during the Millennium will cause many peoples throughout                 the earth to rejoice. Government corruption will cease (Rev 20:6)

     C. The Islands, the remotest outposts of human habitations will join in the celebration that                  takes place on the larger continents (See Isa 24:15, 40:15, 41:5, 42:4)

     D. The righteous, just, and faithful rule of Yahweh will bring order to the earth

 “Isaiah said these things because he saw His [Jesus’] glory and spoke about Him. (John 12:41 HCSB) 

          Yahweh is God, Yeshua, Jesus is God, in some passages Yahweh is Yeshua, God the Son                          (Isa 6:1–5), in other texts God the Father is Yahweh (Ps 110:1)

     E. There will be worldwide liberation from oppressive, selfish, and evil rulers

     F. The figures here show a supernatural manifestation of the presence of God

On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. (Exod 19:16 ESV)

 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the LORD came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. (Exod 19:18 HCSB)

 . . . for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:29 ESV)

     G. Clouds and thick darkness, lightening, God is here, a theophany, a Day of Yahweh (Joel 2:2)

     H. He is here to judge. His throne, His judgeship is based on His true righteousness and His                true justice (Zeph 1:15; Rev 11:5)

which God will bring about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom none of mankind has seen or can see, to whom be honor and eternal might. Amen. (1Ti 6:15–16 HCSB)

     I. His holy fire is a judgment on the wicked

His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out. (Mat 3:12 HCSB)

     J. The majestic mountains are flattened and melt like candle wax from God’s fire

     K. Yahweh (the LORD) is the Master [adonai] (Lord) of the earth He is judging

     L. All nature and men see Jesus’ glory at the second coming (Psa 19:1; Isa 40:5; Rev 1:7)

 II. The command for all beings to worship Yahweh exclusively (vs. 7)

      A. Is it a shameful thing to worship anything other that the invisible God of the Bible

      B. When Yahweh shows up to judge His enemies, your idols cannot protect you

      C. All supernatural beings are commanded to worship only Yahweh

III. Zion’s worship and exaltation of Yahweh, the Most High God (vs. 8–9)

      A. The people of God rejoice in the rule of Yahweh, Adonai, el elyon, Jesus

      B. Jerusalem and Judah will rejoice when David’s son, the Lord is ruling and because they                  have been delivered from those marching to destroy them (Ps 48:11)

      C. The Most High God, Melchizedek used this title for God (Gen 14:18) 

      D. The second coming of Jesus brings immediate relief to those suffering persecution

Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God's churches--about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure. It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering, since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction, away from the Lord's presence and from His glorious strength,1in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. (2 Thess 1:4–10 HCSB)

IV. Yahweh’s true servants are full of joy and of praise for Him (vs. 10–12)

      A. Those who are lovers of Yahweh are commanded to hate evil

      B. There is a price to pay when you stand against evil in this world

      C. Yahweh brings relief of His persecuted people

But as it is written: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man's heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Cor 2:9 HCSB)  

      D. He preserves, guards, watches over their lives—He must allow their home going

      E. He delivers them out of the hands of the wicked (Dan 3:17)

      F. His radiance provides the righteous ones light, the light “dawns” on them (morning joy)

 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Ps 30:5 ESV)

      G. His relationship with them provides them great joy

      H. Believers are to find their joy in God

       I. Believers are to praise God’s holy name, Yahweh, and thank Him for His wonderful                       deliverance, preservation, salvation

Lessons to live by:

• No man can serve two masters; he will hate one and serve the other

• Joy and the removal of guilt are both blessing of genuine salvation. If you really belong to Jesus, He will be your greatest treasure and your greatest joy. If Jesus was not in heaven, it would be hell to you, because you love Him and hate sin.

• Since all the un-fallen and unredeemed creatures in heaven worship God, how much more, should we, who have been bought with the blood of Jesus, redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the lamb!

• We are to exalt, adore, love, and praise the God of the Bible

• When we long for relief from persecution while patiently enduring it and praying for our enemies we display the patience of God. When He judges the enemies of Israel and of the Church on earth, we will experience a great liberation from wicked men

Psalm 96: Yahweh is King of the World

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 96 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. Ancient kings operated as lawmakers, commanders-in-chief, and the supreme court. Judgment is mentioned in most of these Enthronement Hymns. This psalm moves beyond God’s authority and rule over Israel to all nations. The Gentiles show up in the Israeli Hymn book!

  I. King Yahweh’s glory must be proclaimed (vs. 1–3)

     A. Sing to Yahweh is commanded three times.

     B. This is balanced with three commands: Praise (bless), Proclaim, Declare (tell)

     C. What is to be sung? A new song honoring His deliverance

     D. Who is to sing this song? All the earth, all gentile nations, all peoples (families Gen 10:32)

     E. Why is Yahweh to be praised? For His great salvation (deliverance)

     F. What is to be proclaimed? The good news of Yahweh’s salvation, His glory, His amazing     actions on earth

         1. When? Every day

         2. To whom? All the nations

    G. Are new songs bad? Not if they have biblical content, solid doctrine, good theology

    H. Before you can sing a new song you have to write it

     I. Is there anything in the Old Testament that showed God desired the Gentiles to worship                 Him as well as Israel? Yes, two examples: Genesis 12 and Psalm 96

     J. What are God’s wonderful deeds? Creation and Redemption

 II. King Yahweh’s majesty and uniqueness (vs. 4–6)

      A. God is great and worthy of praise

      B. Yahweh alone is to be feared, reverenced, worshiped, adored

      C. All other gods are fakes, nothings, rocks with demons, worthless idols

      D. Because Yahweh is the Creator, He alone rules and sustains the universe

      E. The pagan claims about the power of their fake gods are all false

      F. The Creator - King has given evidence in creation

          1. He is more majestic than the mountains

          2. His splendor is beyond the most beautiful sunset on the beach

          3. He is stronger than an elephant (kingly court)

          4. He is more beautiful than a snow-covered mountain or a delicate flower

III. King Yahweh’s praise, worship, service (vs. 7–9)

      A. Ascribe to Yahweh is commanded three times. (Give, verbally declare, recognize)

      B. Who is to do this? All the families of the earth. A surprising statement for a Jew, the                         original audience

      C. What are we to state in verbal praise about Yahweh?

           1. He is glorious and strong, glorify the Creator King

           2. His name and person are glorious

           3. Verbal praise is followed by acts of submission to the only true God

           4. We are to bring an allowed offering to this great king

           5. We are to enter the court of the Gentiles at Yahweh’s temple in Jerusalem

           6. We are to acknowledge and act according to God’s majestic splendor and awesome                        holiness

          7. All humans are to praise Yahweh for His sovereign rule, and His majesty displayed in                    His mighty supernatural works and in His people    

          8. Yahweh requires reverence, awe, holiness, submission, amazement over majesty and                      holy presence

          9. All the Gentiles are to tremble before this awesome Creator-King

      D. When we fear God, we reverence, honor, respect, acknowledge His power and authority to              judge sin and His hatred of it, along with His supreme authority to rule. So, our love and                 respect are not to be flippant or causal, it is serious business

IV. King Yahweh’s coming to Judge the earth (vs. 10–13)

      A. Tell the pagan nations, Yahweh reigns. He alone is the sovereign God

           1. God has established His right to rule by His work as Creator. It is His world, He made it

           2. God will judge all men with uprightness and the same standard, the moral law written                     on their hearts

      B. All creation rejoices when the Judge arrives to deal with sin and remove the curse

The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Rom 8:19–21 TNIV)

      C. All creation is called upon to rejoice in the Judges coming—heaven, earth, sea, sea                        creatures, fields and wild animals

      D. Yahweh is coming, this is a Day of Yahweh

      E. Yahweh is coming to judge every human being

           1. His judgment will be righteous

           2. His judgment will be in accordance with His faithfulness

      F. He will establish righteousness and truth on the earth

          1. He will punish the ungodly ones

          2. He will deliver the godly ones

          3. Only those who have Jesus’ righteousness legally placed on their account will be                            delivered from everlasting punishment

          4. One day God’s order and personal rule will be brought to the earth. The God’s rule will                  be fully established and be permanent 

Lessons to live by:

• Notice the joy displayed by those who belong to God. They are singing, they are praising Him, and they are satisfied and full of joy. The worlds lie that only sin brings happiness is shown for how foolish it is.

• Be sure to praise God for all the wonders of creation and His mighty acts of redemption. Use this psalm and others like it in your personal worship of God for Who He is and what He has done.

• If you belong to God, the day of Yahweh when the curse is removed and all sin is dealt with is a day for which you desire greatly. Come Lord Jesus, Come! 

Psalm 95: Worshiping and Believing Yahweh

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 95 is a Hymn in a section of Enthronement Psalms. After a brief section of corporate instruction on a proper way to approach Yahweh in worship, the author refers to the incident in Exod 17:1–7. This Psalm is then explained in Hebrews 3:7–4:16. The author begins by instructing us to Rejoice in our Creator-Redeemer, Yahweh, then to Reverence our Creator-Redeemer, then to Respond to the word of our Creator-Redeemer with trust, obedience, and faith.

  I. A corporate call to worship Yahweh (vs. 1–2)

    A. The summons is the celebrate and rejoice

    B. The person designated for Adoration and celebration is Yahweh

    C. This is in response to a divine deliverance of His people

    D. The divine warrior delivers and defends His people

    E. Because of God’s mighty acts of deliverance, the people respond with praise and                   thanksgiving. An attitude of gratitude

   F. The worship includes the joyous and celebrative use of music and song

   G. It includes a corporate gathering at a designated place of worship

   H. The people gratefully praise the LORD, their redeemer

 II. A hymn to sing to the Creator-King, Yahweh (vs. 3–5)

     A. God is the greatest of kings that rules over His creation

     B. False gods have territories of mountains, valleys, and seas

     C. The true God of the Bible created and rules over all of creation

III. A reverential call to worship Yahweh (vs. 6)

      A. The summons for joyous songs is followed by a call to prostrate yourself before this                  sovereign king

     B. Jesus is seated on the throne to rule Acts 2:29–36                                                                            He holds the universe together by His powerful word

     C. Jesus is the king of kings and Lord of Lord’s, His universal kingship is the subject                            of our praise

IV. A hymn to the Covenant God, Yahweh (vs. 7a–c)

      A. The covenant God made all humans

      B. The covenant God is the shepherd of Israel

      C. He takes care of His own

      D. The essential promise of most of the biblical covenants, “I will be your God, you will be             my people.” A close covenantal relationship like marriage

      E. God’s own power brought about our creation and our redemption

V. A warning against Covenant unfaithfulness (vs. 7d–11)

     A. The sin of unbelief, Exod 17:1–7; Num 20:1–13, 27:14; Deut 6:16, 9:22, 32:51; Ps 81:7

     B. Miracles do not produce faith, they are evidence to those already believing 

     C. When you read or hear God’s word read, as soon as you understand it you should believe it             and obey it, making it your own, replacing the errors in your thinking with God’s true truth      

     D. The practices of apathy, ignorance, and intentional disobedience strain the relationship                     between God and His people

     E. Today is the moment of Grace; there may be no other offers

     F. How can you harden a stone heart? A corrupt and depraved inner man? Figure - not let the            Word of God penetrate your mind, direct your will, or channel your emotions

    G. They did not know God, or His ways, nor did they love God, listen to or obey Him

    H. Yahweh was thoroughly disgusted with that whole generation (slave-mentality)

     I.  To violate the covenant with unfaithfulness, rebellion, and unbelief is a serious sin against                 the covenant relationship. It forfeits the promises and institutes the covenantal curses.

     J. Interpretation of key terms for the Christian from Hebrews 3-4

        1. Today

        2. Rest

    K. The promised land was a type for heaven itself, especially during the millennium. The                       ultimate fulfillment of the spiritual promises is heaven, and Hebrew says that is for                                  Christians, those who follow Abraham in the faith-line, regardless of their race

Lessons to live by:

• Be sure to praise God for all the wonders of creation and His mighty acts of redemption. Since God has created all matter and elements, no one has the right to take a piece of His work and worship it.

• Evolution is an attack on the very nature and power of God

• Worship of God is important. We worship with song, with prayer, with offerings, with the Word—when we listen, understand, and obey it

• Unbelief in God’s Word is still a good way to miss heaven

Book Review: A Pastor's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Church Conflict

 

A Pastor's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Church Conflict Kindle Edition by Ted D. Manby 

 

 

First distinguish and discern the real origin of the threat to the pastor and the church

 

Having been a lay church elder, I know of very few pastors who live through what Ted Manby highlights as targeted attacks on pastors within the church by “antagonists” and share their all too often-painful experiences and grieving. Even fewer do the in-depth research of what happened to them and why. Ted Manby takes the challenge further to extrapolate the biblical and practical principles for how to prepare for and handle such attacks.

As an executive change and conflict management consultant for over 50 years, I agree with Ted Manby as he hones in on the key here, which is too often missed. First distinguish and discern the real origin of the threat to the pastor and the church. Specifically, does the church conflict come from unhealthy “antagonists” or members with reasonable concerns or external challengers just trying to help. The biblical and practical responses to such church conflicts are quite different!

Ted Manby first defines and explains the relevant terms, like “antagonists,” shares his and others painful experiences, and notes relevant contemporary frameworks. He then analyzes the dramatic impacts and implications for both pastors and the local church. The heart of this book are extensive and powerful Biblical examples, imperatives, along with the positive perspective and courage needed to cope with and handle the requisite personal and corporate fear and discouragement. Finally, in the final chapters, the principles and advice for all those involved meaningfully tie this book together.

Reviewed by Dr. R. Kraft Bell, MBA, PhD

A Pastor's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Church Conflict - Kindle edition by Manby, Ted D.. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

https://www.amazon.com/Pastors-Understanding-Overcoming-Church-Conflict-ebook/dp/B0CLHZHJDK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 

Psalm 94: The LORD (Yahweh) is the Judge of the Earth

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 94 is a community Lament (1–15) combined with an individual lament (16–23). The parts of a lament include 1) Address to God, 2) Plea for God to help, 3) Complaints—the issue of this prayer, 4) Confession of trust displaying confidence in God, 5) Petition, 6) Hymn or blessing

   I. Yahweh alone has righteous vengeance or recompense, retributive justice (vs. 1–2)

      A. Yahweh alone is the Judge who punishes evil [Address to God]

            1. Evil has its own reward, the just consequences attached to it

            2. The call for Yahweh to shine forth, is asking for Him to personally come to judge

            3. The LORD will arrive in royal splendor to judge the world

            4. His appearing will include His “rising up” (stepping up) to judge mankind

      B. God will give the proud what they deserve, severe punishment

The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. (Prov 16:5 NIV)

I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. (Isa 13:11 NIV)

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (1 Pet 5:5 ESV)

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Prov 16:18 ESV)

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. (1 Tim 3:6 NIV)

  II. The arrogant person’s thoughts, words, and deeds all require punishment (vs. 3–7)

      A. The call for the LORD’s justice to come sooner [the plea for God to help]

           1. The question is not, denying God’s power or will to deal with evil

           2. The question about evil is When? When will the Day of Yahweh appear, the wrongs be                     made right, all sin be consigned to the lake of fire. How much longer?

           3. God is not without power or like a politician making back room deals

      B.  Self-sufficient, autonomous man, is free to do evil in his own mind [the complaints]

           1. The wicked are boaster, we have evolved, God is a delusion, Huxley, Dawkins

           2. Wicked hearts produce wicked thoughts which produce arrogant words

     C. Wicked deeds are done to God’s real people by the proud tyrants

          1. God’s people are persecuted

          2. The most vulnerable: widows, non-resident foreigners, orphans

          3. The helpless are brutally murdered by those in power

          4. These wicked may be rulers in the land like king Manasseh or government officials

     D. God’s presence, awareness, knowledge and power are denied by the wicked

          1. They pretend He cannot view what they cover in darkness

          2. They declare He will not or cannot pay attention to, act on, or justly deal with these                         wicked deeds

          3. Believers may tell themselves these same lies before they commit sin

III.  The wicked person is rebuked for this pagan or deistic world view (vs. 8–11)

       A. You need to pay attention to yourself, ignorant scoffers

            1. You are acting like wild beasts with no reasoning or thinking skills

            2. You foolishly run your little crooked kingdom bragging that you are an Agnostic

       B. You lack the most basic understanding and reasoning

            1. Ears have an obvious design. The designer can also hear

            2. Eyes have an amazing design. The creator of this can also see

      C. Since God brings judgments on nations which you have seen, why do you think individual             are going to get away with sin? (Greater to lesser argument)

      D. God the Creator, teaches the only true knowledge and He knows that mere man’s small                  thoughts are just hevel: vapor, breath, temporary, puzzling, mystery, ironic, unreliable, insubstantial

IV. The blessing of the wise person who belongs to God [The Blessing] (vs. 12–15)

       A. God disciplines His real children so they will repent and live life to the fullest

       B. The Word of God, the Torah, reveals what God likes and dislikes, so the wise man knows                     how to live—not by legalism, but living to please the God he loves by copying His moral                      nature. The moral law is vital to life.

       C. Justice will one day prevail, and God will sustain and protect His righteous remnant                             until that day. Be patient. (He will not forsake His people) [Confession of trust]

 V. An Individual Lament, the Petition (vs. 16–21)

     A. The LORD is my champion, He will stand with me against the wicked

     B. Yahweh provides protection, perseverance, and inner peace by His covenant love

     C. God does not allow His people to be lost, stumble to destruction

     D. Things were really bad before he was rescued, delivered, saved

     E. It appeared their government coalition was unstoppable

     F. How long will God tolerate wicked rulers and evil civil laws? By God’s nature, He must                     bring all wicked regimes to an end and to the Great White Throne Judgment

VI. Praise to Yahweh, he will right the wrongs [The Hymn] (vs. 22–23)

      A. God is a stronghold, a rock of refuge (A fortress like Masada, beside the Dead Sea)

      B. God will punish the wicked in this world and the next

      C. Those outside of the Messiah will pay for every word, though, and action for all eternity as             well as the new sins they continue to commit in the lake of fire

Lessons to live by:

• Be patient when you are wronged and persecuted for the gospel's sake. Be patient when small men make evil laws and arrogantly display their power.

• Beware of the consequences of sin. It is never worth the price. God see’s all, knows all, records all. Everything done in the dark will be reviewed at the judgment.

• There is no free lunch. Someone always pays. The foolish person creates his own theology. The wise person builds a theology from God’s Word, the Bible and then lives by it.

• Chastisement is a good thing. Judgment begins with the house of God. It ends with the wicked masses who will not submit to King Jesus’ reign in their lives.

• God records the death of every innocent person, including the 40 million plus babies murdered in the USA

• The Day of the LORD is coming, not only should we get ready, but also help other get ready so that they can escape the wrath to come.

“Invictus” (Latin Unconquered) by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) displays the arrogance and rebellion of humans

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning's of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Contrast this with "MY CAPTAIN" by Dorothea Day 

Out of the night that dazzles me,

Bright as the sun from pole to pole,

I thank the God I know to be

For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

 

Since His the sway of circumstance,

I would not wince nor cry aloud.

Under that rule which men call chance

My head with joy is humbly bowed.

 

Beyond this place of sin and tears

That life with Him! And His the aid,

Despite the menace of the years,

Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid.

I have no fear, though strait the gate,

He cleared from punishment the scroll.

Christ is the Master of my fate,

Christ is the Captain of my soul

---------------------------------

A famous hymn

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Psalm 93: Yahweh Reigns Over Everything

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 93 is a known as a corporate worship hymn that is an enthronement psalm. The psalm was sung in ancient Jewish worship at some point before the trumpet would sound signaling the beginning of the Sabbath around 6:00 pm each Friday, according to the Talmud. The only name for God in this hymn is Yahweh. This psalm praises Yahweh as king over the earth, the seas, and Jerusalem. VanGemeren’s outline of the psalm is as good as it gets.

A. Yahweh’s glorious kingship (vs. 1a–1b)

     B. Yahweh’s kingship on earth (vs. 1c–2)

     B`. Yahweh’s kingship over the seas (vs. 3–4)

A`. Yahweh’s glorious kingship in Jerusalem (vs. 5)

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   I. Yahweh’s (the LORD’s) glorious kingship (vs. 1a–1b)

      A. Praising the only sovereign God, Yahweh, king of the universe (Isa 52:7)

      B. None of the false gods are sovereign, they are merely demons

      C. The LORD’s majestic creation and providential control are displayed openly to all who 

           have eyes that see and ears that hear

      D. Yahweh is king, no matter what His enemies say

 II. Yahweh’s kingship on earth (vs. 1c–2)

      A. The LORD established the earth during the creation week 

      B. The word “throne” is figurative for the sovereign rule of God, which began over the                         earth at creation, but will not have an ending, but will intensify at the 2nd coming

      C. Calvin reminds us that if we really believed God was in charge and powerful than nothing                 could cause us to fear if we were living in obedience to God

      D. The destruction of the world is not in man’s hands

III. Yahweh’s kingship over the seas (vs. 3–4)

      A. The seas, floods, rivers, currents are all powerful forces of water

      B. For those on the sea or coastline, a tidal wave carries uncontrollable destruction

      C. A hurricane or monsoon brings noise and destruction

      D. Uncontrollable waters are also used figurative for pagan armies

      E. Yahweh is above, over, and in control of ever flood, river, sea, and army

      F. Our God is mightier than any storm, than any tidal wave (Ps 29:4)

      G. Both Jonah and the Apostles learned by experience that Yahweh controls the sea

 

    Eternal Father, Strong to save,         O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard

    Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, And hushed their raging at Thy word,

    Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep         Who walked'st on the foaming deep,

    Its own appointed limits keep;                 and calm amidst its rage didst sleep;

    O hear us when we cry to thee,         Oh hear us when we cry to Thee

    for those in peril on the sea.         For those in peril on the sea!

    Most Holy spirit! Who didst brood         O Trinity of love and power!

    Upon the chaos dark and rude,         Our brethren shield in danger's hour;

    And bid its angry tumult cease,         From rock and tempest, fire and foe,

    And give, for wild confusion, peace;         Protect them wheresoe'er they go;

    Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,

    For those in peril on the sea!         Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

IV. Yahweh’s glorious kingship in Jerusalem (vs. 5)

      A. The LORD is king over the covenant community

      B. The term “testimony” is often used for the Ten Commandments

      C. God’s moral laws stand firm against a world of sin and relativism

      D. God’s commands, warnings, promises, oaths and statements in the Bible are all true, fully              confirmed by this sovereign Lord 

      E. Where the special presence of God is, men are keenly aware of His holiness

      F. The glorious light above the mercy seat, the fire above the 12 apostles' heads, the wings                     covering the angels faces crying holy, holy, holy

Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:28-29 ESV)

Lessons to live by:

• Since God is sovereign, worry and praylessness are both sins. When in danger, call out to God by prayer in faith. He is mightier than the danger

• The Creator is in charge of His world and limits what even men can do

• Don’t let the latest doomsday theory make you afraid. Man cannot destroy the earth nor can any other created being

• If God’s house is adorned by holiness, we should take our personal holiness seriously, once we have received Christ’s transferred righteousness to our legal record in heaven

If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you all together are that temple. (1Cor 3:17)

• Because God is king over His covenant people, we should ask, will this choice please king Jesus, Lord and Head of the church, or will this choice just please me?

• If we love this great and sovereign King, we will live properly before His royal presence with great reverence and joy, as His commands are not a burden

• Praise God for who He is, including His sovereignty, self-existence, awesome power, eternal existence, infinity, providence, and holiness

• “May the Lord appear in his church, in our day, in manifest majesty and might, saving sinners, slaying errors, and honoring his own name.” Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 92: A Sabbath Song of Worship to the LORD

The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 92 is an individual song of thanksgiving used in corporate worship on the Sabbath day. The Jews gathered for worship (Lev 23:3), a holy assembly, as well as resting on this day. This day was intended to be a delight rather than a burden, but those who were consumed with themselves rather than the living God disliked the Sabbath (Amos 8:5; Isa 58:13–14). While the priests were offering the morning and evening sacrifices, the Levitical singers lead the people in song by musical instruments (Exod 29:39–41).

   I. Worshiping Yahweh (the LORD) with music (vs. 1–3)

      A. Praising God is good because He loves us and thus it pleases Him

      B. Praising God is good because it encourages and liberates us

      C. Praise is a grateful vocal response to the acts of God 

      D. The LORD’s covenant Love (hesed) and faithfulness, 24/7

      E. The most high God’s name is Yahweh (the LORD) is to be praised in music

      F. The are using instruments in praising God’s name

      G. The music had a message, it “proclaimed” the LORD’s attributes

      H. No matter what the style of music, if the message is wrong about God, it is not                acceptable worship. Content is King in worship!

 II. A song of thanksgiving (vs. 4–15)

      A. The LORD’s actions are to be praised by His people (vs. 4–5)

            1. Praising God for Who He is, transforms into:

            2. Thanking the LORD for what He has done—mighty acts of deliverance

            3. The Bible is redemptive history, it tells His Story

            4. Praising God in corporate worship bring the believer joy

      B. The fool does not understand redemptive history (vs. 6–8) 

           1. A human who cannot think and analyze God’s powerful redemption is like a bull

           2. When your thoughts are all about you, you ignore the shortness of life and the coming                 judgment by a powerful and sovereign God

           3. The wicked are temporary in their pleasure and power like grass in the desert heat

           4. Their judgment is an everlasting judgment

           5. In contrast God is exalted forever, not just for a short while like the wicked fool

           6. The LORD rules and judges, He is a sovereign king

      C. The Sovereign LORD judges the wicked while exalting His people (vs. 9–11)

           1. The wicked enter judgment and find themselves alone

           2. Yahweh vindicates His people while He punishes their enemies

           3. He will raise the heads of His people and give them authority (horn= symbol of power)                while at the same time consecrating them again for holy service (olive oil, 1st pressing)

           4. Like on judgment day, the righteous see the defeat of those God calls wicked

           5. When God is done, there will be no opposition to His sovereignty

           6. God’s intervention and justice is a vital part of our hope when persecuted

           7. Our hope includes the total elimination of all evil from earth to the lake of fire in the                     future

      D. The wicked are temporary like weeds, but not the righteous (vs. 12–14)

           1. Believers and repenters are like beautiful palm trees

           2. We are like the tall cedar trees that used to grow in Lebanon

           3. Both trees show strength, beauty, and continual durability

           4. We will be placed very close to the LORD our God (house, courts)

           5. We will continue to have meaningful service, purpose, and dignity in our old age on                  earth and in heaven (blessed and valuable)

      E. Exalting Yahweh for His character (vs. 15)

           1. We proclaim in song that God is holy, righteous, just, right

           2. We proclaim in song that we are dependent on God who sustains us

           3. A rock provides stability and daily provision (water out of the rock)

The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. (Deut 32:4 NASB)

           4. God is unlike man, who is born wicked. There is no wickedness in God

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.  (1 John 1:5-7 NASB)

Lessons to live by:

• Singing good theology to God and thanking Him and praising Him with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs is important. 

• The most important thing about what we sing is what it says about God, not the style which is a matter of taste that changes over time

• God ordained that instruments be used in His worship

• If we oppose the sovereignty of God, we are aligning ourselves with the wrong side

• God is holy. All of the biblical attributes are true of God, and no attribute is greater than the others. They complement each other. God’s love is holy, and God’s holiness is loving, His justice is holy, and His holiness is just

• Praising God for who He is can shift into thanking Him for His redeeming acts in such a seamless way that the one appears to be part of the other