Worship Your King Who Reigns
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
A psalm of David.
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Introduction
Introduction
Brothers and Sisters - I greet you all in the wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Open Bibles to Psalm 29...
It is a strange manner in which I need to address you.
I have been looking forward in eager anticipation to being with you all, serving alongside you the body of Christ.
And I find myself unable to meet face to face with the people that I have been looking forward to engaging with.
Know for certain that I am praying with you; I am praying for you.
I will be serving you, although you will not see me face to face for this time. All in God’s wise providence.
This is indeed a difficult time! Covid-19.
We’re in a time as a country, and as the world, that is filled with turmoil.
Difficult time.
It is exceedingly difficult to comprehend all that is unfolding around us.
Turmoil, difficult to comprehend all that is
Never before in our lives have we been confined on such a grand scale, as we watch this disease take its toll on the world, and have such unprecedented effects not only on human health and well-being, but also on the economy, on the financial well-being that we have come to depend so heavily upon.
The uncertainty of this time unsettles us.
As Christians, how should we respond in such a time as this.
There may be numerous answers to that question, but one of the aspects that should be included is our reverential awe and worship of God, and our King Jesus Christ, as the very created order seems to threatened.
There is a wonderful Psalm that speaks to the power and authority of God over all of creation.
It is a Psalm that draws our focus and attention to the majesty and splendour of the Sovereign Lord.
It is a Psalm that must draw our eyes and hearts upwards, even as there appears to be such chaos in the world around us.
I invite you to turn with me in your Bibles as we read this Psalm together.
A psalm of David.
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
If I could just
Context:
The Psalm is a Psalm that assures us that God speaks.
and 30...
Often - think God is silent.
Silence motif… - 28:1-2, saying that God should not forget him.
Hear my cry (voice) for mercy.
In , the Psalmist longs for the Lord to not be silent.
This is an encouragement to us that God is not silent.
is answering the cry that is raised in .
God hears us, He hears our prayers.
And He is a God that speaks to us. His word is available to us, and we can open that and hear the voice of our God.
God is anything but silent - He speaks, He hears.
As we look at this Psalm, we will see also that this is a Kingship Psalm.
Focus on Royal rule and reign of God, and of the Messiah Jesus Christ.
The Lord gives strength to His people (verse 11). This text is an encouragement to God’s people.
Furthermore, it is a call for us as God’s people to worship Him.
This Psalm is a Kingship Psalm.
So let us consider this morning this Psalm’s encouragement to us to worship.
Two kinds… human king; divine king.
is focusing on the Divine King.
Cal to worship - Ascribe to the Lord “Sons of the gods...” - reference to angels.
Remember - all the nations must be blessed - fear God - worhsip Him.
- explicit - calls on angels; implicit - calls on man to call
Mighty waters...
Can refer to large body (Meditteranean)
Or hostile chaotic waters.
- Mighty waters are hostile forces that threaten the well-ordered life...
The Psalm calls us to...
1. Accept Our Kings Invitation (vv.1-2)
1. Accept Our Kings Invitation (vv.1-2)
Quattrain - repetition of “Ascribe” and “To the Lord”
These are all 4 lines… unity.
End of section - breaking the section - Transition to “Worship…” showing that this section coming to an end.
1.1. An Invitation to Worship with Angels
1.1. An Invitation to Worship with Angels
Also - “Sons of god..” ; “O heavenly beings...”
We see here...
1.1.1. God’s Invitation to Angels (v.1)
1.1.1. God’s Invitation to Angels (v.1)
Ascribe to the Lord “O mighty ones...”
Phrase depends on translation...
Also - “Sons of god..” ; “O heavenly beings...”
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
A call to the angels to worship the Almighty God.
A call to the angels to worship the Almighty God.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
Heavenly beings…
Pslalm 89 6
Psalm 89:6 - who in the skies above can compare with the Lord… who.... heavenly beings…
How are they to worship?
1.1.2. God’s Invitation to You
1.1.2. God’s Invitation to You
Invitation to Angels Explicit.
Invitation to us implied in this call.
It is never merely the angels that are to worship God.
Even in the Psalms, the entire assembly, all nations are called to worship God.
is virtually a parallel…
7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
Moves in the Psalms for the entire assembly to worship God.
We are called as God’s people to worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness.
We see thus that all the created beings are summonsed to worship God.
James Montgomery Boice...
Psalms, Volume 1: (Psalms 1–41): An Expositional Commentary Glory in the Highest
David is overwhelmed with the majesty of God revealed in the storm that he has witnessed and is now going to describe. He feels that he needs help to praise God properly. To praise God adequately the entire created order must join in, and even then sufficient praise will be lacking.
And so, this is an invitation to you and I as God’s people to worship Him.
- Ascribe to the Lord “families of nations...” Theme of how God is at work to accomplish his objective, that all the families of the earth would experience His care.
And so, this is an invitation to us to worship along with the angles
1.2. An Invitation to Ascribe with Angels
1.2. An Invitation to Ascribe with Angels
There is a repetition in this verses… “Ascribe...”
We are to Ascribe to God.
To “ascribe” in this sense means to acknowledge that which is true of God. We give praise to Him because of a recognition of His greatness and power and majesty.
We see 2 things that the angels (and us) are called to ascribe to God.
1.2.1. Ascribe Glory and Power (strength) (v.1)
1.2.1. Ascribe Glory and Power (strength) (v.1)
Firstly, they are to Ascribe Glory
Glory…
God’s Glory is Visible...
24 And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him.
The glory of God is something that is visible and tangible.
Often the glory of God speaks of His weightiness.
But this is more than just the weightiness of God - it is that visible expression of God’s greatness and glory.
22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Ex 33
When my glory passes by… Moses could not see fullness of glory.
. The Lord has shown us His glory. Something you can see.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
. The Lord has shown us His glory. Something you can see.
Often glory = weightiness… but t
We must see further the royal dimension to God’s glory.
Remember that this is a Kingship Psalm.
- When my glory passes by… Moses could not see fullness of glory.
1 O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
Psa
5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
- “…we have seen His glory…”
God’s Glory is Royal
- “Crowned them with glory and honour.”
, - Glory, splendour, majesty = royal attributes
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
King of glory - this is the glorious king. Royal.
- King of glory - this is the glorious king. Royal.
Secondly, they are to Ascribe Strength...
They are to Ascribe Strength...
Strength, again is royal characteristic
12 But you, O God, are my king from of old;
you bring salvation upon the earth.
13 It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
Pslam 74:12-13.... Strength = Power...
The angels are here called to ascribed glory and power.
, … King / Power / Strength...
The Angels are being called upon to Ascribe glory to God when they see this powerful storm
To whom do they ascribe this glory?
1.2.2. To the Lord (v.1-2)
1.2.2. To the Lord (v.1-2)
This may seem obvious to us, but the emphasis through this Psalm is striking.
The name of the Lord “Jehovah” is repeated 18 times in these 11 verses.
In the opening verses it is repeated 4 times.
Ascribe to the Lord… I mighty ones.
Ascribe to the Lord… glory and strength
Ascribe to the Lord… the glory due his name.
Worship the Lord… in the splendor of his holiness.
The Lord is the focus of the glorious acknowledgement of power and strength.
There is no other God!
There are no other gods to whom to such praise is due.
There is no other power or force in the world, in humanity.
We see then that we are to do this...
1.2.3. In His Appearance (v.2)
1.2.3. In His Appearance (v.2)
We are to worship the Lord.
The word “worship” here speaks of bowing down low in praise to God.
We are to worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness (NIV = his holiness.)
... in the splendor of his holiness.
Some interpretations take this to refe
The context here suggests that the holiness that is spoken of is not the holy array (NASB) but rather the holiness of God.
Similar to...
29 ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.
Bring an offering and come before him;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
Worship the Lord when his holiness becomes visible in the storm that you are about to witness.
The Splendour of His holiness...
Consider different translations.
Spendlour of holiness (ESV)
His Holiness (NIV)
Holy Array (NASB) - describing holy garmets that the woshippers wear.
Worship the Lord when his holiness becomes visible in the storm that you are about to witness.
In Isaiah’s vision of God in the temple, we read that the angels were crying out to one another...
3 And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
So the first call to us from this passage is for us to “Accept our King’s invitation.”
Secondly, we are to...
2. Respond to Our King’s Motivation (vv.3-9)
2. Respond to Our King’s Motivation (vv.3-9)
What is it, according to this Psalm, that would drive us to such awe-inspired worship of our God?
Firstly, in this Psalm, the Psalmist invites us to...
2.1. Experience Our Kings Glory
2.1. Experience Our Kings Glory
As the Psalmist was writing, probably sitting outside, witnessing a powerful storm that was moving across the entirety of the land.
As we move through these verses, we will get the picture of the movement of the storm, starting out over the Mediterranean Sea, moving towards land, to Lebanon, to Mount Hermon, and then across into the desert regions.
Charles Spurgeon wrote...
Psalms, Volume 1: (Psalms 1–41): An Expositional Commentary An Extraordinary Poem
“Just as the eighth psalm is to be read by moonlight, when the stars are bright, as the nineteenth needs the rays of the rising sun to bring out its beauty, so this can be best rehearsed beneath the black wing of tempest, by the glare of the lightning, or amid that dubious dusk which heralds the war of elements. The verses march to the tune of thunderbolts. God is everywhere conspicuous, and all the earth is hushed by the majesty of his presence.”
And so, we are called to experience our King’s Glory.
2.1.1. Experienced in the Thunder (v.3)
2.1.1. Experienced in the Thunder (v.3)
In verse 3, we find the word “voice” is first spoken of.
It is used seven times in this section of the Psalm (vv.3-9)
God’s voice is here described as being the thunder that is crashing over the earth, as it rolls from one place to the next.
We’ve just arrived in Johannesburg from the Lowveld. While the Lowveld has some storms, they are nothing like the Highveld storms that you’re used to.
Even as we arrived here, within the first couple of days, we had daily thunder storms - something our children took particular note of.
We know what it is when there is a great crash of thunder around us. Such thunder commands respect and awe, a healthy sense of fear.
There is great power in these crashes of thunder.
The Psalmist here speaks about God’s voice as being this thunder. The voice of the Lord, as it speaks, thunders and commands respect over all of the elements creation.
But notice that the Psalmist says that this voice is over the “mighty waters”.
Could also be translated “many waters.”
11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
Evidently, the Psalmist was probably seeing the thunder out over the Mediterranean Sea as it approached the land.
We see in verse 3, most notably, that the voice of the
Refers to thunder, in this context.
The seven occurrences are spread throughout these verses… they roll through this strophe just as thunder rolls through the land.
But we shouldn’t miss the picture that is conveyed.
Voice of the Lord is over the mighty / many waters.
The phrase is used in various ways.
The waters here also refer to that which is chaotic in this world.
… large body of water.
The seas in that culture and day were seen as that which threatened the natural order.
3 The seas have lifted up, O Lord,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the Lord on high is mighty.
In , given Geography - Mediterranean.
Double Entandre - not simply the many waters of Mediterranean -
Image of sea / chaos / water threatens to overthrow the land.
All of the ancients, like us, knew that there was chaos that could overthrow their well-ordered world and society.
Mayim Rabbim - need to think of the chaotic things that threaten the natural order.
Might I just say, that in our world right now, we face such chaos, that threatens our usually well-ordered society (at least it is mostly well-ordered).
We face such a time now, where we may be drawn to fear, anxiety, concern.
There is a tempest. There is uncertainty.
But friends, God’s voice is said here to thunder over these waters.
- The seas have liften up, Lord… mightier than the thunder of the Great Waters (Mayim Rabbim)...
God’s voice, His power, His dominion is powerful over even the most threatening of situations.
All of the ancients, like us, know that there is chaos that can overthrow their well-ordered world.
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
God is Almighty, and is mighty over these thundering waters.
The same Hebrew “Mayim Rabbim” is used in ...
God alone quells the thundering waters.
When these mighty waters arise, says the Psalmist there, let it be found that people have prayed to God, and are found in Him.
For David, in that Psalm, it was the confession of sin, trust in God, drawing near to Him, that would lead the person to be kept through those chaotic waters.
. Let all God’s people pray to you, while you may be found.
Note in verse 3 of that God is “over” the mighty waters.
Pray a prayer of confession, and surely the Mayim Rabbim will not get you… using it metaphorically to any kind of chaos… illness that he was experiencing…
That is not speaking of his position - that he’s merely floating above the waters.
Rather, it is saying that He rules over; it’s a theological truth. God has dominion over the waters.
Indeed, God has conquered, God has overcome the waters.
David says you can keep these waters at bay.... for David, was by confessing sins.... can be used for any everyday experiences.
We can use this language of Mayim Rabbim in our own lives.
The Lord is “OVER” the Mayim Rabbim.
This is not just Geo-spacial, but rather it is theological
God has conquered, he has overcome the mighty waters.
Notice also that God is...
2.1.2. Experienced in the Lightning (v.7)
2.1.2. Experienced in the Lightning (v.7)
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.
The power in lightning is quite simply beyond our comprehension.
Each bolt can contain up to one billion volts of electricity
A flash can heat the air around it to temperatures five times hotter than the sun’s surface.
Lightning's extreme heat will vaporize the water inside a tree, creating steam that may blow the tree apart.
As we witness lightning striking, let us be reminded that God is the very creator and author of that power.
The Psalmist tells us that we may experience just something of the glory of God and His voice through the lightning strikes.
Notice further, that we are called to...
2.2. Experience Our Kings Power
2.2. Experience Our Kings Power
What are the effects of this thunder and lightning on the world.
Firstly, this power is...
2.2.1. Experienced in the creation (vv. 4-6, 8-9)
2.2.1. Experienced in the creation (vv. 4-6, 8-9)
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
Two words to describe the storm.
Verse 4...
Natural storm… track through its travel...
Verse 4...
Two words to describe the storm.
These two words are synonyms of the words translated “glory and strength” that we find in verse 1.
When the Psalmist applies “powerful” and “majestic”
Powerful
Majestic
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
Verse 5...
There is a progression here.
Cedars to Cedars of Lebanon
Intensification. From general to specific. Singling out of particular trees that were larger in size.
This storm that had brewed over the Mayim Rabbim (mighty waters) now hits the shores and breaks in pieces the Cedars of Lebanon.
Even these great trees, the Cedars of Lebanon, seemingly indestructible and steadfast due to their great size, are broken in pieces by the power of the voice of God.
The storm brewed over the Mayim Rabbim… but now the voice is breaking the Cedars of Lebanon…
The storm then progresses further into the land, and we read in verse 6...
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild ox.
Storm has come off the Mediterranean. Come up to the mountain range - Lebanon...
Syria over here is speaking about Mount Hermon.
8 So at that time we took from these two kings of the Amorites the territory east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge as far as Mount Hermon. 9 (Hermon is called Sirion by the Sidonians; the Amorites call it Senir.)
And so, this storm continues to travel further through the various parts of ancient Israel.
But notice again, the power of the thunder, and thus the voice of God.
The Psalmist says that Lebanon skips like a calf…
This great Mount Hermon (Sirion) skips like a young wild ox before the voice of the Almighty.
Such is the greatness of our God, that these very symbols of power and strength and fortitude are as nothing before Him.
Verse 6...
In verse 8, we read...
Movement is now from Lebanon to Syria… Mount Hermon.
- See the note that is added.... end of verse 9. Moses
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
- doesn’t refer to Mount Herman, but rather calls it Syria… (possibly was originally a Canaanite hymn).
Again, the storm now travels further, beyond Lebanon and Mount Hermon, and into the desert regions.
Mount Herman is in the Anti-Lebanon range… The storm is flowing, tracking through various parts of that Ancient Israel...
And as it approaches, they deserts, these hostile environments, are themselves shaken by the power of the voice of the Almighty.
And finally, in verse 9,
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
Verse 8...
Desert of Kadesh… where is it situated?
Must note the poetic imagery
Based on the pattern of the storms, this place is somewhere to the East of Mount Hermon...
The storm strips the forest bare.
To the east of Mount Hermon is a wilderness / desert area, Midbar...
Many cities were called “qadesh”… Not a specific place known to us
Verse 9...
The storm strips the forest bare.
This may be a reference to the time of the storm - autumn time… Just before the rains came to water the earth for the new season..
But given the vivid description of God’s power throughout, the picture is simply continuing to show the great demonstration of God’s power.
Even the large oaks are twisted.
Rains are a manifestation that the Lord Reigns...
The chief deity is the god that sends rain.
At the end of verse 9, we see a beautiful response to this glorious display of the Lord’s power.
According to Canaanite beliefs, Baal was the one that sent the rain.
Coming of the first rain storms was proof that the deity was reigning.
“And in his temple all cry, Glory!!”
Canaanites and Israelites had similar belief systems. Canaanites believed in Baal - when rain; Israelites believed in Jehovah.
The display of God’s power, His sovereignty over all of creation, even those things which would seek to bring chaos into the created order, evokes this response of a cry of Glory to God!
God’s great power, the desmontration of that great power, is the motivation for us to bow in worship of Him.
“In His temple” - heavenly temple.
When they see this glorious storm, there is the glory of the Lord.
The logic is that the Psalmist has called the angels to worship the true and living God, when they see this glorious God in this storm.
2.2.2. Experienced over the chaos (v.3)
2.2.2. Experienced over the chaos (v.3)
Indeed, this power is demonstrated “over” the Mayim Rabbim...
Talk about how the voice of the Lord is “over” the Mayim Rabbim...
Dear friends, even today, God’s power is over any hostile element that would seek to bring chaos into our world.
Nothing in our world is beyond or above or exceeding in power of our God, our King.
In such a time as this, are we focused on the tempest in the world around us?
Voice (first of seven uses of the word)...
Or are we focused on the power of God?
Refers to thunder, in this context.
The seven occurrences are spread throughout these verses… they roll through this strophe just as thunder rolls through the land.
Voice of the Lord is over the mighty / many waters.
The phrase is used in various ways.
… large body of water.
In , given Geography - Mediterranean.
Double Entandre - not simply the many waters of Mediterranean -
Image of sea / chaos / water threatens to overthrow the land.
Mayim Rabbim - need to think of the chaotic things that threaten the natural order.
- The seas have liften up, Lord… mightier than the thunder of the Great Waters (Mayim Rabbim)...
All of the ancients, like us, know that there is chaos that can overthrow their well-ordered world.
God is Almighty, and is mighty over these thundering waters.
God alone quells the thundering waters.
. Let all God’s people pray to you, while you may be found.
Pray a prayer of confession, and surely the Mayim Rabbim will not get you… using it metaphorically to any kind of chaos… illness that he was experiencing…
David says you can keep these waters at bay.... for David, was by confessing sins.... can be used for any everyday experiences.
We can use this language of Mayim Rabbim in our own lives.
The Lord is “OVER” the Mayim Rabbim.
This is not just Geo-spacial, but rather it is theological
God has conquered, he has overcome the mighty waters.
Two words to describe the storm. Two words are synonyms of the word translated “glory and strength” that we find in verse 1.
When the Psalmist applies “powerful” and “majestic”
Powerful
Majestic
Verse 5...
Cedars to Cedars of Lebanon - progression.... intensification. From general to specific. Singling out of particular trees that were more
The storm brewed over the Mayim Rabbim… but now the voice is breaking the Cedars of Lebanon…
Storm has come off the Mediterranean. Come up to the mountain range - Lebanon...
Verse 6...
Movement is now from Lebanon to Syria… Mount Hermon.
- See the note that is added.... end of verse 9. Moses
- doesn’t refer to Mount Herman, but rather calls it Syria… (possibly was originally a Canaanite hymn).
Mount Herman is in the Anti-Lebanon range… The storm is flowing, tracking through various parts of that Ancient Israel...
Thirdly, from our passage, we are called to...
Desert of Kadesh… where is it situated?
Must note the poetic imagery
Based on the pattern of the storms, this place is somewhere to the East of Mount Hermon...
To the east of Mount Hermon is a wilderness / desert area, Midbar...
Many cities were called “qadesh”… Not a specific place known to us
Verse 9...
The storm strips the forest bare.
Time of the storm - autumn time… dry season, May to October. At the end of the dry season.
Would have been a few leaves left on the trees… the first storms of the raining season would have stripped
Rains are a manifestation that the Lord Reigns...
The chief deity is the god that sends rain.
According to Canaanite beliefs, Baal was the one that sent the rain.
Coming of the first rain storms was proof that the deity was reigning.
Canaanites and Israelites had similar belief systems. Canaanites believed in Baal - when rain; Israelites believed in Jehovah.
“In His temple” - heavenly temple.
When they see this glorious storm, there is the glory of the Lord.
The logic is that the Psalmist has called the angels to worship the true and living God, when they see this glorious God in this storm.
3. Affirm Our Kings Bounty (vv.10-11)
3. Affirm Our Kings Bounty (vv.10-11)
Firstly, we that...
3.1. Our King Reigns (v.10)
3.1. Our King Reigns (v.10)
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
3.1.1. Over the Chaos of Your Life (v.10a)
3.1.1. Over the Chaos of Your Life (v.10a)
3.1.1. Over the Chaos of Your Life (v.10a)
“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood.”
The only other time that word is used for “flood” in the OT is in the Genesis flood account.
Even there, God sat on the throne, and he watched, he ruled, he subdued and stopped the waters at the appointed time.
It is such in every moment in life. God sits enthroned over the waters that would seek to drown us, cause us harm and destruction, etc.
Are you settled in your heart and mind, that this great, majestic, powerful God, sits enthroned over the chaos of your own life.
Certainly, this Covid-19 and all the chaos that it is bringing is relevant. It speaks to this.
But perhaps there are other aspects of disorder, or uncertainty, or frustration, or anxiety in your life.
Perhaps your own life seems to be just one complication after the next, and they all just build upon one another, seeking and threatening (in your own mind at least) to overthrow the stability of your life.
God is ruling over the chaos of your life.
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood.
He is King; He is Ruler; He is Sovereign… over every eventuality of your life.
What an encouragement.
Do you believe that? Do you perceive that?
3.1.2. Over the Whole of Your Life (v.10b)
3.1.2. Over the Whole of Your Life (v.10b)
But this rule of God (and His Son Jesus Christ) is not only over the chaos in your life, but over the whole of your life.
“The Lord sits enthroned as King forever.”
God’s rule and reign is complete over the entirety of creation, and the entirety of your life, and the entirety of our lives as His people.
Enthroned - Yashav… to sit… the King is sitting enthroned. The Lord sits enthroned because he is being celebrated
.
- enthroned between the cherubim.
All the angels are surrounding him and worshiping.
In this Psalm, the Lord is not enthroned in heaven / cherubim… but rather enthroned over the flood.
This is no reference to the flood in the days of Noah. Out of place to make this connection.
The reference here is something connected to the flood story. In the days of Noah, water came from two sources… great deep, and windows of heaven. From above and below.
Remember creation account - God separated the waters above the firmament from the waters below.
If water is going to flood, it can only come from one of two places - above or below.
Mabbul.... flood refers to waters from above that come down. That is being referred to in .
Rains come down, turn the created order away from that which produces, and floods the otherwise producing ground.
Mabbul is speaking of the water above… all speaks of the water that had to be bound… As the Lord over the Mayim Rabbim, he is over the Mabbul.
God reigns over the waters. He is the one who brings the rain… The Lord is in control of all the water.
3.2. Our King Blesses (v.11)
3.2. Our King Blesses (v.11)
Our King is One that seeks to bless us for our good.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Two things are given...
Blesses...
3.2.1. With Power
3.2.1. With Power
Verse 11...
God gives strength...
The power of God in the storm… the power that is to be ascribed to God when it is in the storm… is to be seen in the people.
God gives strength to His people.
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
- know His incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power of God - the power that exceeds any thunderstorm or deluge - is for us who believe.
That power of God - the power that exceeds any thunderstorm or deluge - is for us who believe.
- strengthen you with power...
We do not have any power shortage in the world.
We are often lacking in the way we take hold of that power, but the power is there!!
We are called to exercise the means of grace in our lives so that we may take hold of this power that is ours in Christ Jesus!
3.2.2. With Peace
3.2.2. With Peace
Your King Blesses (v.11)
The Lord will bless.
Bless = empower… God will empower
To bless is to empower to live at optimum wellbeing.
Study genesis… Find all the places God is blessing people - empower works in every one of those cases.
God is empowering His people to live the abundant life that Christ came to give us.
In Genesis…
Empowers to produce children ()
Empowers to produce wealth ()
Similar sense in … in this context however not to produce wealth etc. But rather it is peace...
3.2.2. With Peace
3.2.2. With Peace
Peace (Shalom)… includes absence of strife, but more than that.
It speaks really of complete well-being and prosperity.
In that day, it would have spoken of agricultural success - abundant crops, living in peace because there is no want. There is no lack.
God empowers his people to have all that they need.
And dear friends, for us as the people of God, we are blessed with the peace of Christ.
We do not lack anything in and through Jesus Christ.
Samaritan woman at the well - living water to drink!!
would have spoken of agricultural success… abundant rain. But if this is abundant, then every area of life would be
Christ is the one that, when we trust in Him, when we rest in Him, we may know this peace of God.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Aaron’s benediction… The Lord bless and keep you.... last word - Shalom. The begin and the end - bless with peace.... This is how ends.
God will empower His people to experience Shalom
Psalms is an instruction manual on how we may experience God’s blessing (see ).
Application / Conclusion
Application / Conclusion
God is Revealed in Creation.
The Lord is a critical feature of this times in opening Strophe, 4 times in closing strophe, the voice of the Lord in the middle section.
What should you believe?
What should you believe?
God is Revealed in Creation.
Power of lightning.... amazing power. Huge voltage. Thunder - significant.
The power of God is revealed in what has been made.
Further than that, God Controls Creation. All of it!!
God Controls Creation
We are called to believe that all apparent chaos on the world is under God’s sovereign control.
Not only that, but it’s under God’s sovereign control, even for a good purpose.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
God Empowers Us
God Empowers Us
19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
Shifting address from angels
God has an intention to empower us to experience His peace, his contentment in the world, even when surrounded by chaos.
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
1 jn
God has an intention to empower us to experience His shalom.
God has an intention to empower us to experience His shalom.
This Psalm should lead us to feel a sense of awe.
Awe.
As we draw out the power of the poetry / beauty - stand in awe of God.
What Should You Do?
What Should You Do?
Worship
Ascribe Power and Glory to God
I was reminded of an old chorus that we used to sing in church...
God is still on His thrown,
And He will remember His own
Though trials may press us,
And burdens distress us
He never will leave us alone.
Our God is on His throne, yesterday, today and forever.
Let us look to him.
Another beautiful hymn that I was reminded of was this:
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.
I encourage and exhort you, at a time such as this, put into practice as best you can, with the limitations placed on you, the wonderful means of grace.
Devote yourself to reading the Scriptures.
Devote yourself to prayer.
Devote yourself to encouraging and contacting fellow-believers.
Let us build one another up in love, and let us live lives of worship to God, in the midst of this storm of life.