INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 113
Psalm 113 is the first of six Psalms, known as the "Egyptian Hallel"; used during the Jewish Passover festival, in remembrance of when the Israelites were freed from Egypt. It is a PSALM OF CELEBRATION, PRAISE AND WORSHIP.
"We are reminded in Matthew 26, when Jesus was having the Passover Feast (the Last Supper) with his Disciples, that this was important to Him, and before He went to the Garden and was later betrayed by Judas, leading up to his Crucifixian, Jesus probably sang these "Egyptian Hallel" Psalms, specifically this one." David Guzik
"Then they sand a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives." Matthew 26:30 (NLT)
Psalm 113, like previous ones, begins and ends with HALLELUJAHS - PRAISING GOD. In Verses 1-3 we are urged to PRAISE GOD over and over again, throughout our day. Then in Verses 4-6 we are given the REASONS WHY WE PRAISE HIM. Finally, in Verses 7-9, we have an illustration of HIS CARE FOR THE POOR, NEEDY AND MOTHERLESS.
Although we don't know for sure who exactly wrote this Psalm, David, being a "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22), we know that PRAISE AND WORSHIP "permeated his life". As a young shepherd boy, to his time in the Palace as king - as a "mature adult". David continually PRAISED THE LORD, so he may have had something to do with the authorship of Psalm 113. David and Paul both remind us that we need to WORSHIP and PRAISE THE LORD in every moment of our lives.
"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)'
PRAISE THE LORD - Read Psalm 1-3
EVERLASTING PRAISE
"Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the nanme of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord's name is to be praised." Psalm 113:1-3 (NKJV)
We need to Praise the Lord EVERYDAY, from MORNING TO NIGHT. We are encouraged to GLORY TO GOD again and again - forever. The NAME OF THE LORD - YAHWEH - is never unworthy of our praise. It is to be CONTINTUALLY ON OUR LIPS!
As servants of the Lord, like the angels (cherubim) in Heaven, we have a special reason to share in God's work and to always be in His presence - therefore, to ALWAYS SING HIS PRAISES.
"Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty - the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come......You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased." Revelation 4:8 & 11 (NLT)
Worship and praise is CONTAGIOUS. Through Scripture we read of how people led worship, or took risks with their worship:
* MOSES AND MIRIAM broke out in song when they crossed the Red Sea.
* DANIEL openly worshipped God, even though it meant it could have cost him his life.
* And of course, DAVID, overcome with joy, worshipped and danced before the Lord.
For each of these people, fear of what it might look like did not hold them back, and as a result, nations were led into God's presence. Lives were saved and people came back to God. What risks are you willing to take in your worship and praise? When the Three Wise Men came to worhip Jesus, they "BOWED DOWN" before Him.
"They could hardly contain themselves: they were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time". Matthew 2:9&10 (MSG)
Are you willing to approach Him in this way? Or may you prefer to SING, RAISE YOUR HANDS, CLAP or even DANCE. Maybe you even want to say a QUIET PRAYER.
"Worship is a heart condition, and it's also what people see in your lives everyday." Tim Gardener
YOUR PRAISE can lift the heaviness of another person's heart, giving them a spirit of hope - just what they need to face the future. YOUR WORSHIP might make the difference between their "pressing on" or their "giving up". God is looking for "true worshippers" who will bless His name. Could this be your song?
TRUE WORSHIPPERS
This was also true of Jesus when he spoke with the Samaritans about their worship. He met with a Samaritan woman at the well, and she asked him if Jerusalem was the only acceptable place to worship the Lord, their Father. Jesus explained that at this moment in time, the Samaritans knew little about the "One they worshipped"; but this would change. She knew that the Messiah would come, and then Jesus introduced Himself as the One she had been waiting for. She then went to share this news with her village, and they came out to meet Him.
"But the time is coming - indeed it is here now - when TRUE WORSHIPPERS will WORSHIP THE FATHER in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. The Father is looking for those who will WORSHIP HIM THAT WAY. For God is the Spirit - so THOSE WHO WORSHIP MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH." John 4:23&24 (NLT)
"Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that HE INDEED IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD." John 4:42 (NLT)
JESUS CHRIST IS PRAISED
Back in 1734, an unknown German hymnwriter wrote: "When Morning Gilds the Skies". It was then translated into English, so all could enjoy the praises of God's works and so that "Jesus Christ could be praised". The hymnwriter, like David in this Psalm, wanted to remind us that our PRAISES should not be limited to Church Services, but should overflow into our everyday lives - our homes and our workplaces. Whether our surroundings are lovely or gloomy, Jesus Christ and His Father God, ALWAYS DESERVE OUR PRAISES.
OUR GREAT & MERCIFUL GOD - Psalm 113:4-6
"The Lord is EXALTED over all the nations, HIS GLORY above the Heavens. Who is like our God, the one who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the Heavens and the earth."
Psalm 113:4-6
Our GREAT GOD IS:
* EXALTED AND SUPREME - We need to look up with our eyes of FAITH to see God's glory.
* GLORIOUS ABOVE THE NATIONS - His covenant was with "little Israel" - it was no superpower. Yet their great God was more glorious than any other nation.
* HE SITS ENTHRONED ON HIGH AND RULES FROM HEAVEN - The Throne of His glory is in the Highest Heavens. He cares for His angels in Heaven and His people on earth.
*HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, BENDING DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH WITH MERCY AND COMPASSION - Although he exists as a God in heaven, exalted on High, he still cares for us and his creation.
"What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"
Psalm 8:4 (NIV)
"Look, what is man that You look after Him? Or Son of Man, that You think of Him"
Psalm 144:3 (NIV)
"We can truly appreciate GOD'S GREATNESS until we accept HIS HUMILITY. Jesus is the perfect expression of God humbling Himself." David Guzik
"And being found in appearance as a man, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF by being obedient to the point of death: death on the cross. For this reason GOD HIGHLY EXALTED HIM and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name." Phiilippians 2:8-10 (NASB)
GOD'S CARE & COMPASSION - Read 113:7-9
"He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of His people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of her children" Psalm 113:7-9 (NIV)
THE LORD CARES FOR THE POOR AND NEEDY.
We can all praise the Lord because He cares for us, but God has special favour that He shows for the "lowest people"; and not only that, HE RAISES THEM UP.
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the deathof Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NIV)
"When no hand but His helps us, He interposes and His work is done. It is worthwhile to be cast down to be divinely rised from the dust." Charles Spurgeon
Jesus sang these words as he was about to be lifted from the dust - from the grave. Jesus knew when He sang this song with disciples that He would face death, but He also knew that He would be resurrected. And because of Jesus's resurrected, we too can be lifted up to the heights of Heaven.
"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 2:4&6 (NIV)
THE LORD CARES FOR THE CHILDLESS WOMAN
In Bible times, not only was it PAINFUL to be childless, but it was a DISGRACE. For some it was viewed as God's disfavour and punishment.
"Because the Lord had closed Hannah's womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her."
1 Samuel 1:6 (NIV)
"After his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, she remained in seclusion for five months. "The Lord has done this for me", she said, "In these days He has shown His favour and taken away my disgrace among the people." Luke 1:24&25 (NIV)
"God is above and beyond His creation and yet He's infintely aware of human misery. His love reaches "to the dust", to lift up the poor and needy. Feeling the heartache of a childless wife, God brings joy and respect, instead of disgrace." Pat & Davud Alexander
Our GREAT, EXALTED GOD cares for each of us INDIVIDUALLY! Our MAJESTIC GOD cares for each of us PERSONALLY! That is why God is WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE.
"In the endless circle of life, let us Bless the Lord, whose mercies never cease."
Charles Spurgeon
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Gardener, Tim, "Christmas Journeys - The Wise Men" , 2022, Rouse Hill C3 Church.
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