INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 104, 8, 100, 150
Sir Robert Grant was an English politician in the 1830's, and he was very familiar with royalty, having been appointed a Governor in the Province of India in 1833. When he read Psalm 104, he first pictured Jesus Christ as the King. He was then inspired by God's majesty and splendour, and he began, like David to "worship the Lord as King."
"Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, You are very great; your clothed with splendour and majesty." Psalm 104:1 (NIV)
We know our God first as our Maker and Creator, but He is also our "defender, redeemer and friend".
Sir Robert Grant walked day by day with His Redeemer, enjoying His fellowship just as we can. We can remember Him too, "as royalty", but as His child and His friend.
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth." Job 19:25 (NIV)
This is titled as an "anonymous Psalm" but it is believed that David was actually the writer. It began ab ended as many of his other Psalms - with the "praise and blessing of his soul". We know that David appreciated God's creation and believed that He sustained the universe. He bears a witness to HIS MAJESTY, SPLENDOUR AND STRENGTH.
"When I consider your Heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"
Psalm 8:3&4 (NIV)
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture." Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV)
This is indeed a wonderful pictorial Psalm, speaking of God as a "great Creator and sustainerr of life".
The Psalmist "conjures up the marvels, grandeurs and details" of all the earth, it creatures and the heavens - the sun, the moon and stars, "in all its completion and perfection." When we contemplate God's creation ourselves and we catch sight of GOD'S GLORY. Like David and Sir Robert, all we want to do is SING HIS PRAISES.
"I will sing of the Lord all my life; I WILL PRAISE TO MY GOD AS LONG AS I LIVE......PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL, PRAISE THE LORD." Psalm 104:33&35
GOD'S CREATION - BOTH HEAVEN & EARTH: Read Psalm 104:1-9, 150
When David first "praises the Lord" it is with "his whole being (his soul)". He looks up to see HOW GREAT GOD IS.
*At first he sees the glory of the Heavens, where God has the garments and the throne of a King. With a stately horse, a carriage and angelic servants, God is indeed the GREAT, SOVEREIGN KING OF KINGS.
"Heaven offers praise to God's power and strength. God is not a higher power, He is the HIGHEST POWER." Michael Yousoff
"Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty Heavens. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. Praise the Lord." Psalm 150:1,2&6 (NIV)
"Amen! Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks, honour, power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:12 (NIV)
* Our God is also an AMAZING CREATOR, who we know "founded the earth and settled the boundaries of the seas". Not only does He "rebuke the seas" but He "keeps them within His limits".
"You are worthy , our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you CREATED ALL THINGS, and by your will they were CREATED AND HAVE THEIR BEING."
Revelation 4:11 (NIV)
Nature is GOD'S WORSHIP. Take a look at God's creation if you want if you want to experience His power and strength. Last week I was travelling through Outback Queensland. I confess, at times I slept; but when my eyes were open I loved looking out the window so I could enjoy God's beautiful creation.
"What is the atmosphere of your life? Do your words of praise line up with your worship of God in Heaven? Are you involved with a community of believers that regularly and enthusiastically praise the Lord. The faithful practices of true praise puts a person in direct line with all of the power available in Heaven and earth." Michael Yousoff
GOD CARES FOR ALL HIS CREATURES - Read Psalm 104:10-18, 8:1-6, 139:14, Genesis 1
God also CARES FOR ALL THE CREATURES HE CREATED. He provides their food and water, "including the cattle and wild animals". God protects and provides suitable housing for even the smallest animals - like the "birds" and the "badgers". They "build nests" and shelter under "the rocks".
What you see most out in Queenslands's Outback are cattle, wild horses, and what I admire most, are the beautiful birds.
Oh, and let's not forget God's people, who He especially CREATED FOR A PUROSE, and CARES FOR.
"So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that well." Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
"What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour." Psalm 8:4&5
And what about the plants and trees? These too are something that I enjoy, and although there is a lot of desert in the Outback - that's the time I usually sleep - you can also see places of green, parks, and trees. David specifically speaks about the orchards with his grapes and the Cedar of Lebanon. These have been created and cared for by God, for His children.
WE PRAISE GOD FOR ALL HIS CREATION - Read Psalm 104:19-30; Nehemiah 9:5&6
"Blessed be Your glorious Name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the Heavens, even the highest Heavens, and all the starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of Heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:5&6 (NIV)
Step into the night sky and be amazed, just as the readers of this Psalm were originally, in David's time, and that of Nehemiah. We are to PRAISE AND EXALT GOD FOR:
* The days, nights and seasons in which God provides our time for work and rest.
* The oceans and God's restorations of His sea creatures.
* God's prompt and plentiful provision for all His creatures.
* God's absolute power and sovereignty.
"Lord, you made things with your WISDOM. You mad them all." Psalm 104:24 (ICB)
CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 104:31-35, 150.
David concludes this Psalm as he has with many others:
* WITH A PRAISE TO GOD - REJOICING IN ALL HIS WORKS
"PRAISE opens us up so that we can pray with greater faith and greater effectiveness. PRAISE reflects our acknowledgement of all GOD IS and and that GOD HAS DONE, IS DOING and HAS PROMISED TO DO. PRAISE sets up the stage for prayer that is focused, specific and powerful."
Michael Yousoff
"May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works." Psalm 104:31 (NIV)
to us.
* WITH PRAISE AND MEDITATION TO THE LORD
"I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will praise my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord." Psalm 104:33 (NIV)
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and My Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
*WITH TERROR TO THE EVILDOERS - FORGIVENESS OF SINNERS
"You are an all powerful Father. You can do all things. You are ALL MERCIFUL TO YOUR CHILDREN, Father. You desire to bless us in all our ways. YOU ARE PATIENT and FORGIVING, Father. You long to draw all your children close to you. You are the VICTOR OVER THE ENEMY om every situation and circumstance, Father. YOU HAVE ALREADY WON THE BATTLE AGAINST THE DEVIL." Michael Youssof
When we close our prayers with praise, just like this Psalm, we, like David, are yielding to the Lord - including all authority to God, through whom He may choose to provide for us, protect us, or reveal Himself to us. We are yielding all honour to God, giving Him credit for any good work that is accomplished on our behalf.
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Grant, Sir Robert/Tomlin, Chris, "O Worship the King", 1830/2004, Sparrow Records
"The Holy Bible - International Children's Bible", 2015, Tommy Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
Alexander, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible - 4th Edition", 2009, Lion Hudson
Henry, Matthew & Manser, Martin.H, "The New Matthew Henry Commentary", 2002, Zondervan
Lucado, Max, "Great House of God". 1997, Thomas Nelson
Peterson, William & Ardythe, "The Complete Book of Hymns", 2006, Tyndale House Publishers
Youssef, Michael, "Empowered by Praise", 2020, You Version
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