Praising the King of kings: The God Who Is and Acts
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“Our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” So says the great Saint Augustine in the opening to his beautiful autobiography, The Confessions. We immediately recognize this reality, that our hearts and lives are filled with restlessness and the world around us seems to be as well. It seeks happiness and joy in the smallest glimmers of hope, in the smallest stimulations of satisfaction, in the smallest tastes of truth.
Where do we too often look for joy? Even more we look to those things that have not satisfied us before, but have given us some small inkling of satisfaction. We tasted, for a moment and in an incredibly small dosage, happiness and wholeness and rest, and so we figure that simply taking in more of whatever that was will result in lasting joy, or at least a joy that lasts longer. And then we wander. We wander from one insufficient source of joy to the next, adding them together like a balance of medications that may in the end bring relief. We think that if we just got the dosages right, if we just increased our intake of this one and lowered the dosage of that, everything will finally balance out. Like the disappointed patient, though, we will recognize in the end that all we have done is mask the deep, chronic pain. If we got our dosages right, we have done nothing more than ensured that we could move around this world with the satisfaction that we can still move. We’ve made sure that we can enter conversation with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers, that we can smile at times and get things done.
Our
What we have not accomplished in this is the ability to join David in praise, in everlasting praise. You see, Christians have always been a singing people, a praising people. From the Psalms of the Old Testament, to the singing of the Lord at the Last Supper, to the exhortation to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” and examples of those very things embedded in the New Testament. From the singing of the Psalms and various hymns in the early church and the beautiful Gregorian Chants of the Middle Ages, to “A Mighty Fortress,” the Genevan and Bay Psalters, and the hymns of Isaac Watts. Christians, looking back to the deliverance at the Red Sea in and forward to the singing of a new song and the Song of Moses in and 15, we have been a praising, singing people.
But why? What has lead us to such deep praise, such enduring joy, such overflowing satisfaction? It has been nothing less than an encounter with the eternal God, the King of all things.
Outline the Psalm
Outline the Psalm
This psalm
First
As we begin to look closely at this psalm, let’s look at some of the structural details
Most well known psalm among Jews (recited 3 times a day; call it Ashrei [)
Last psalm in the psalter by David
Acrostic–Except Nun (נ); one of eight in the Psalter, one of 5 of David’s
Explain Why I Don’t Think Nun is Part of the Psalm
Break at Verse 13
Transition to Statements with “All” in 13 (x2), 14 (x2), 15 (x1), 16 (x1), 17 (x2), 18 (x2), 20 (x2); Before this, only verses 2 (which is prologue) and 9 & 10 which close out the first half of the psalm; have the word “all”
Progression “I will bless you” (vv. 1–2) to “All Your Saints Will Bless You” (v. 10) to “All Flesh Will Bless You” (v. 21); notice “Forever and Ever” at end of vv. 1, 2, & 21
Verses 3–6 Are reflection on the greatness of God (see esp. vv. 3 & 6)
Verses 7–9 Are reflection on the goodness of God (see esp. vv. 7 & 9)
Verses 11–13 Are reflection on the kingdom of God, echoing the praise of verses 3–6
Verses 14–20 Are reflection on tangible explanations of what is said in verses 7–9
David Devotes Himself to Praising the Unsearchable Greatness and Goodness of God
David Devotes Himself to Praising the Unsearchable Greatness and Goodness of God
“the” King (only psalm that refers to God with definite article)
“extol,” “bless,” and “praise” you and your name
Extol=lift high
Bless=Exalt his name for goodness
Difference between God blessing men or men blessing one another and men blessing God
My thesis: When men bless one another, they call for or announce divine favor, that is, divine goodness, be shown toward that person. In other words, they lift up and exalt that person that the person might be good and great, and receive goodness. When men bless God, they pronounce that God is goodness in himself and exalt him as the source of all goodness. So, blessing God is often nearly synonymous with praising and thanking him.
; ; (esp. v. 10);
God is blessedness himself, and so when we bless God we are proclaiming who he is and what he is for us
Repeats the blessing and replaces it with praise. Connecting it to the previous line highlights the unique features.
“Forever” becomes “Every day”
“Bless” becomes “praise”
When he says that he will bless and praise the Name of God every day and for all eternity, he means name in the biblical sense. In Scripture, in the Old and New Testaments, a name is a description of the very character of the person to whom it is affixed. So we can think of the renaming of Abraham or Jacob or Peter as fitting changes to reflect promises and characteristics of those persons. A name tells people who you are. So when we look at a blessing and praising of the Lord’s name we are committing to a certain disposition to who God is. God’s name is God ( to Yahweh).
God’s Greatness Extolled
God’s Greatness Extolled
3. Resolve becomes Action as David here praises and extols the Lord by Name
Could be part of the prologue or, because of the repetition in verse 6 (and “I will tell of your greatness”), it can be part of the first stanza.
God’s greatness is fathomless, so deep that in greatest and loftiest thoughts we cannot approach to even knowing it.
His greatness is especially known in the riches of Christ, which Paul also calls unsearchable in and his judgments which he calls unsearchable in
4. God’s works are mighty. He creates from nothing, sustains the universe by the word of his power, calls life from nothing, and, especially, redeems a people from the debt of sin.
This verse tells us two things. First, one of the primary ways we will praise God’s greatness is by telling others about it, which we saw in Paul’s statement about his gracious gift of declaring the riches of Christ. Second, we learn of the greatness of God by hearing about it from those who have known his works.
Do you tell other’s about God’s greatness, about his wondrous and powerful acts? Do you seek to hear about God’s greatness from others, particularly from those who have walked before his face for many years? Do you attend to the preaching of the Word with eagerness to hear about the God who is over all?
God’s great work is
5. From the commendation of God’s mighty works from one generation to another, the psalmist looks to his own soul and declares that he too will know the being and works of God
6. Finally, they, that is the people, will speak of the might of God’s awesome deeds, and he, the psalmist, will also declare God’s greatness.
God’s Goodness Extolled
God’s Goodness Extolled
7. Having extolled the greatness of God, David turns to praising the goodness of God
God’s goodness is essential to himself. The one from whom all goodness comes is the one who is good in himself.
God’s goodness is his toward us in mercy
As the people declare that God is great, so too does the fullness of God’s goodness pour forth from their mouths and the songs of praise toward his righteousness burst out
John Gill says, “Not only his essential goodness, or the perfections of his nature; nor his providential goodness only; but his special grace and goodness to his own people in becoming their surety, in assuming their nature, in laying down his life for them, in working out their salvation, in paying their debts, and providing for them food and raiment, and all things pertaining to life and godliness: which goodness is great, inexpressibly great, and passing knowledge; if we consider the spring of it, his good will and free favor, and not the works and merits of men; [and if we consider] the multitude of persons it reaches to, all the elect of God, a number which no man can number, out of every people and nation; and [if we consider] the many benefits bestowed on them through it, all the blessings of goodness he himself is presented with, even all spiritual blessings that are in him. Now this will be remembered by the saints, and not forgotten; in the memory of which they are assisted by the spirit of God, who brings this goodness to their remembrance; and under the Gospel dispensation an ordinance is appointed to refresh the memory of the saints with it”
Not only his essential goodness, or the perfections of his nature; nor his providential goodness only; but his special grace and goodness to his own people in becoming their surety, in assuming their nature, in laying down his life for them, in working out their salvation, in paying their debts, and providing for them food and raiment, and all things pertaining to life and godliness: which goodness is great, inexpressibly great, and passing knowledge; if we consider the spring of it, his good will and free favour, and not the works and merits of men; the multitude of persons it reaches to, all the elect of God, a number which no man can number, out of every people and nation; and the many benefits bestowed on them through it, all the blessings of goodness he himself is prevented with, even all spiritual blessings that are in him. Now this will be remembered by the saints, and not forgotten; in the memory of which they are assisted by the spirit of God, who brings this goodness to their remembrance; and under the Gospel dispensation an ordinance is appointed to refresh the memory of the saints with it
8. God’s goodness is especially displayed in (*cover it in reverse): his grace (favor toward those who only deserve judgment) and mercy (toward those in misery), in his patience (toward sinners), and in his never-failing love (toward his people).
; this begins the usage of a phrase that regularly occurs throughout Scripture
9. God’s goodness is extended to all things. We know that he gives rain to the just and to the unjust, and the sun to rise on the righteous and the wicked. Not all people benefit from God’s goodness to the same extent, which we know is true when we think of grace, which is specifically for his people, but all creation experiences God’s goodness.
Mercy: Calvin says, “When it is added that the mercy of God extends to all his works, this ought not to be considered as contrary to reason, or obscure. Our sins having involved the whole world in the curse of God, there is everywhere an opportunity for the exercise of God’s mercy, even in helping the brute creation.”
David Devotes Saints to Blessing Interlude
David Devotes Saints to Blessing Interlude
When it is added that the mercy of God extends to all his works, this ought not to be considered as contrary to reason, or obscure. Our sins having involved the whole world in the curse of God, there is everywhere an opportunity for the exercise of God’s mercy, even in helping the brute creation.
10. Since God’s good works shine everywhere, and since the faithful particularly partake in his goodness, all things will thank God and his covenant people will exalt him as good.
God’s Greatness Reigns
God’s Greatness Reigns
11–13. First, note that verse 11 includes “speak[ing]” again from verse 6; Second, note that in verse 12 knowledge is passed on again from verse 4, and that the succeeding generations experience God’s reign in verse 13; Third, note that God’s “majesty” in verse 5 becomes his “kingdom” in verse 12.
The saints blessing of God’s name turns to their proclamation of his kingdom. Like his goodness, God’s kingdom includes the more general works of creation and providence, his setting all things under himself, but it especially denotes that specific rule seen now among his people which gives a taste of what it will be like forevermore. Brought from Eden to new creation, the Lord’s rule is over all ages.
God’s Goodness Specified
God’s Goodness Specified
14–20. The broad goodness of God declared in vv. 7–9 turns to specific mercies in 14–20. In verses 14–16, God sustains the helpless. In verse 17 we see his attributes proclaimed again, that his ways are righteous, which we saw in verse 7, and he is kind or, a better translation, “faithful,” in all he does (“faithful” would connect us to the word translated “saints” in verse 10). In verse 18 we see the nearness of God, which we usually refer to as immanence, to those who pray, but we see that there is a specific qualification: “To those who call on him in truth.” This reminds us of , where the woman at the well is told that the Father must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. In verses 19–20 we read of the God who saves, giving us our desire for salvation, preserving us from those who wish we feared them, but destroying the wicked.
New Testament Blessings
New Testament Blessings
Beatitudes (Matthew 5)
David Devotes All People to Blessing
David Devotes All People to Blessing
21. David Recommits Himself to Praising the Lord and Calls on All People (“all flesh”) to bless God’s Name forever
a. : “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
b. : “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Go therefore and kmake disciples of lall nations, jbaptizing them min2 nthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them oto observe all that pI have commanded you. And behold, qI am with you always, to rthe end of the age.”
16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To hthe King of the ages, iimmortal, jinvisible, kthe only God, lbe honor and glory forever and ever.4 Amen.
Christ the King Comes and is Coming
Christ the King Comes and is Coming
: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
9 yRejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
zBehold, ayour king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
bhumble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
: “And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
: “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.”
And when he had said these things, bhe went on ahead, cgoing up to Jerusalem. 29 dWhen he drew near to Bethphage and eBethany, at fthe mount that is called Olivet, he sent gtwo of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, hon which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it ijust as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they jspread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—kthe whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice lfor all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, m“Blessed is nthe King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and oglory in the highest!” 39 pAnd some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, qthe very stones would cry out.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, rwho in his testimony before4 Pontius Pilate made pthe good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until sthe appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display tat the proper time—he who is uthe blessed and only Sovereign, vthe King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 wwho alone has immortality, xwho dwells in yunapproachable light, zwhom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
In a world awash with restlessness and in life wrought with difficulties, trials, and temptations, it is good to draw our eyes to the great King. His name is holy and worthy to be praised. His works are mighty and worthy of being proclaimed. His kindness is sweet and worthy of being rested in. If you have walked through this world for any amount of time and have not turned your eyes to this God who has been so good to you, will you do so now? This God, who will in no way clear the guilty, has performed a mighty work in sending his Son to take the sins of the ungodly and give them perfect righteousness. He has purchased redemption and declared to the world that he is King of kings and Lord of lords. I pray that if you have not bowed to his name, you will do so now, before you are destroyed with the wicked. If you have beheld the mighty wonders of God, do you meditate on his greatness each day? Do you proclaim to your children or your siblings, to those around you, the greatness and goodness of God? I pray that as we leave this place, that we go out with renewed commitment to dwell on God’s holiness and freely declare who he is to the world. May we forever bless him.