4. What does corporate praise look like in the Old Testament?
Corporate Prayer in the Old Testament • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Goals
Goals
To enrich this congregation’s corporate prayer with biblical form and content, and by so doing…
… to raise your personal commitment to corporate prayer.
Lessons
Lessons
2019-01-09: The Old Testament Roots of Corporate Prayer
2019-01-06: What does corporate confession look like?
2019-01-23: What does corporate petition look like?
2019-02-06: What does corporate praise look like?
Opening Call to Worship
Opening Call to Worship
Introduce the following psalm for responsive reading, including the use of the church’s ancient practice of affixing the Gloria Patri at the end of every Psalm reading.
Psalm 136 (ESV)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen
The “Glory be…” is thought to be from the apostolic period, and the second clause that reflects Paul’s doxology (Eph 3:21) was added after Nicea…
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Lesson
Lesson
Various Forms of Praise
Various Forms of Praise
See the Appendices for lists of these various genres/forms
Genre is about structure + content; sometimes content can be shared by various psalm genres.
Survey definitions and point congregation to the appendices.
Praise Psalms
Praise Psalms
Use an imperative, making congregational setting clear.
Follows by reasons for praise; general praise to Yahweh for his might and royal majesty and for his care for the individual worshiper.
Psalms of Trust
Psalms of Trust
The psalms confess trust
often recounting past deliverance and restoration
sometimes including Israel’s weakness versus God’s faithfulness…
… then pleading for God to intervene.
Hymns
Hymns
They tend to extol God’s person and work in thanksgiving “because…”
They may be initiated by…
A prophetical oracle
A call to worship
They often incorporate the hallû yāh (“praise Yah[-weh]).
They sometimes accompany temple ritual, such as…
procession into the temple for the daily times of prayer
procession to Zion and the temple for annual festivals
Thanksgiving Psalms
Thanksgiving Psalms
Psalms of thanksgiving (ּתּוֹדָה), a grateful response for a specific act of deliverance; the form assumes the presence of the congregation to hear this testimony and join in with the testimony to God’s faithfulness.
These open with praise…
Reporting deliverance (e.g., healing, forgiveness, rescue from trouble or enemies
Maybe mentioning the lament and petition that God answered
This prompts a new vow of praise, which the psalm itself often exemplifies at the end
Royal Psalms
Royal Psalms
These focus on the Davidic dynasty’s promise, problems, and hope—foreshadowing Messianic promise
They’ll mention…
Coronations and memory of God’s choice of the royal line (Pss 2; 110; 132)
Royal weddings (Ps 45)
Battles and victories, promises to rule with loyalty and justice (Pss 18; 20; 21; 89)
Prayerful confidence, praise, and/or hopeful intercession for the dynasty (Ps 72)
Exercise in Praise
Exercise in Praise
General Reasons for Praise
General Reasons for Praise
Thanksgiving for his works of help, rescue, vindication, deliverance, or healing.
Praise for his goodness, faithfulness, lovingkindness, righteousness, and power
Confidence in his goodness, faithfulness, lovingkindness, righteousness, and power
Exhort the congregation to use the list to pray-read psalms as a way to beef up the form and content of congregational prayers.
Specific Reasons
Specific Reasons
Using the List
Using the List
As we turn to prayer in a few moments, here are some suggestions:
Pick 2-3 listings and verbalize your own expression of praise to God from that stance
Pick 2-3 listings and recite one of the psalms listed by each reason you chose
As a congregation, let’s try to echo as many of these reasons as we can in the coming weeks of prayer and worship together.
The List of Reasons
The List of Reasons
This list includes various reasons for prayer, followed by Psalm citations that reflect that reason for offering praise to the Lord.
Answered prayer (Ps 30)
Forgiveness of sins (Pss 21, 32)
Redemption (Ps 130)
Deliverance (Pss 18, 21, 34, 40, 62, 76, 98, 107, 114, 116, 135, 136)
Yahweh’s faithfulness (Ps 40)
Yahweh’s compassion (Ps 108)
Yahweh’s goodness, righteousness, and loving kindness (Pss 11, 118, 138, 145)
Yahweh’s help (Pss 24, 75, 105, 106, 146)
Yahweh’s works (Pss 19, 66)
Yahweh’s glory in creation (Pss 8, 19, 33, 104, 136)
Yahweh’s glory and power (Pss 29, 135, 145)
Yahweh’s provision and protection (Pss 46, 65, 72, 91, 113, 121, 125, 127)
Yahweh’s victory over enemies (Pss 68, 92, 108, 129)
Yahweh as shepherd/king (Pss 2, 23, 24, 97, 99) on Zion (Pss 48, 132) and over all the earth (Pss 47, 93)
Yahweh as king coming in judgment (Pss 96, 98, 149)
The joy of worshiping in the temple (Pss 84, 134)
Dead idols versus our living God (Pss 115)
God’s presence (Pss 122, 132)
God’s providence Pss 104, 147)
Ability to trust God (Pss 16, 62, 131)
God’s wisdom and instruction (Pss 1, 19, 73, 112, 119)
Restoration (Ps 126) and prosperity (Pss 172, 27)
The nations worshiping in Jerusalem (Ps 87)
A call to worship (Pss 95, 100, 117, 148, 150)
Messianic hope (Pss 2, 45, 72, 89, 110)
Closing Doxology
Closing Doxology
Psalm 150, the closing doxology of the entire book of Psalms.
Let us pray this final doxology responsively and pentecostally
Let’s recite this responsively in a manner befitting its content
Let’s recite it as prophet/seer-musicians of old must have (e.g., Moses, David, Asaph son of Bereciah, Heman the Ezrahite, and Jeduthun.
1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary;
All together now…
praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
The Gloria Patri: Its opening phrase is probably apostolic
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
This phrase reflecting Paul’s doxology (Eph 3:21) was added after Nicea
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen
Appendices
Appendices
Appendix A: Thanksgiving Psalms
Appendix A: Thanksgiving Psalms
Psalm 30—Thanksgiving for Answered Prayer
Psalm 32—Thanksgiving for Forgiveness of Sins
Psalm 34—Thanksgiving for Yahweh’s Deliverance
Psalm 40—God’s Faithfulness and Deliverance
Psalm 75—Thanksgiving for God’s Future Help
Psalm 107—Thanksgiving to Yahweh for His Deliverance
Psalm 116—Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance
Psalm 118—Praise to God for His Loyal Love
Appendix B: Praise Psalms
Appendix B: Praise Psalms
Psalm 8—Yahweh’s Glory in Creation
Psalm 29—Praise to God for His Glory and Strength
Psalm 33—Praise to Yahweh for His Character and Creation
Psalm 46—God Provides for and Protects His People
Psalm 47—God Is King over All the Earth
Psalm 48—The Greatness of God in Zion
Psalm 65—Thanksgiving for God’s Provision
Psalm 66—Thanksgiving to God for His Works
Psalm 67—A Prayer of Blessing
Psalm 68—Praise to God for Providing Victory
Psalm 76—Praise to God for His Rescue of Israel
Psalm 81—An Appeal from God to Israel
Psalm 84—The Joy of Worship in the Temple
Psalm 87—Foreign Nations Come to Worship in Jerusalem
Psalm 92—Thanksgiving to Yahweh for Victory
Psalm 93—Yahweh Is King over All the Earth
Psalm 95—A Call to Worship and Obey
Psalm 96—Yahweh the King Comes in Judgment
Psalm 97—Yahweh’s Glorious Reign
Psalm 98—Praise to Yahweh for His Salvation and Judgment
Psalm 99—Yahweh Is a Holy King
Psalm 100—Worship God with Joy
Psalm 103—Thanksgiving for Yahweh’s Compassion
Psalm 104—Praise to Yahweh for His Creation and Providence
Psalm 105—Praise to Yahweh for His Work on Behalf of Israel
Psalm 106—Praise to Yahweh for His Faithfulness in Israel’s History
Psalm 108—Prayer to Yahweh for Victory Over Enemies
Psalm 111—Praise to God for His Work and Commands
Psalm 113—God’s Majesty and Care for the Needy
Psalm 114—Praise to God for His Works During the Exodus
Psalm 115—Dead Idols and the Living God
Psalm 117—Let All Peoples Praise Yahweh
Psalm 135—Praise to God for His Power and Redemption
Psalm 136—Praise to God for His Creation and Deliverance
Psalm 138—Thanksgiving for Yawhweh’s Goodness
Psalm 145—A Song of God’s Majesty and Love
Psalm 146—Praise to Yahweh for His Help
Psalm 147—Praise to Yahweh for His Providence
Psalm 148—Let All Creation Praise Yahweh
Psalm 149—Praise to God for His Future Judgment
Psalm 150—Let Everything Praise Yahweh
Appendix C: Hymns
Appendix C: Hymns
Psalm 15—A Description of Those Who May Dwell with Yahweh
Psalm 24—The King of Glory
Psalm 120—Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
Psalm 121—Trust in God’s Protection
Psalm 122—Jerusalem the Site of God’s Presence
Psalm 123—Prayer for Yahweh’s Action in the Face of Scorn
Psalm 124—Thanksgiving for Yahweh’s Help
Psalm 125—Confidence in Yahweh’s Protection
Psalm 126—A Prayer for Restoration
Psalm 127—A Prayer for Protection and Prosperity
Psalm 128—Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears Yahweh
Psalm 129—Victory Over the Enemies of Zion
Psalm 130—Hope for the Redemption of Yahweh
Psalm 131—Calm Trust in Yahweh
Psalm 132—Yahweh Dwells in Zion
Psalm 133—The People of God Dwell in Unity
Psalm 134—Praising Yahweh in the Temple at Night
Appendix D: Trust Psalms
Appendix D: Trust Psalms
Psalm 11—Confidence in Yahweh’s Righteousness
Psalm 16—Confidence in Yahweh
Psalm 28—Yahweh the Shepherd
Psalm 62—Confidence in Yahweh’s Salvation
Psalm 63—Longing for God
Psalm 91—God’s Protection in Times of Crisis
Appendix E: Royal Psalms
Appendix E: Royal Psalms
Psalm 2—The Messiah’s Reign
Psalm 18—Praise to God for His Deliverance
Psalm 20—God’s Blessing on the King
Psalm 21—Joy in the Salvation of Yahweh
Psalm 45—Celebration of a Royal Wedding
Psalm 72—A Prayer for the Prosperity of God’s Anointed King
Psalm 89—Remembering the Covenant with David and Sorrow for Lost Blessings
Psalm 101—A Promise to Act with Integrity
Psalm 110—Yahweh Gives Authority to His Messiah
Psalm 144—A Prayer for National Safety