REASONS FOR PRASIE



REASONS FOR PRASIE

PSALM 135

Introduction:

It is reasonable that all men, especially all that know the Lord, would offer to Him continual praise. In fact, there are compelling reasons for doing this.

Those who serve the Lord in the ministry should set the example for the people. “Praise the Lord, O ye servants of the Lord.” Then the psalmist adds another admonition to the ministers before concluding the psalm—“Bless the Lord, O house of Israel: Bless the Lord, O house of Levi.” I feel the weight of this responsibility this morning.

But all of the people of God are to participate in the praise of the Lord. “Bless the Lord, O house of Israel—ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.” In fact the Psalm opens with the strong admonition—“Praise ye the Lord”, and then closes with the same admonition. Literally the psalm opens with hallelujah and closes with another hallelujah. But most of the Psalm is occupied with giving reasons for such universal praise of the Lord. The psalmist set them forth clearly and urgently. He based these reasons on many statements found in other parts of the Old Testament. He borrows so many statements and expressions that the psalm has been called a mosaic. He had filled his mind and his heart with the word of God, and it burst forth in this psalm of praise.

Let’s consider what the Psalm says about the reasons for praise and maybe a hymn of grateful praise will burst forth from our hearts.

I. THE GRACE OF GOD GIVES US REASON TO PRAISE.

The word “good” has in it the idea of graciousness, moral goodness. Such goodness is at the heart of the nature of God. The line “for it is pleasant” is better understood as a reference to the “name of the Lord” than to the act of praise. The word has in it the idea of “kindness, graciousness, beauty.” This graciousness of the Lord is seen in--

1. His gracious choice.

“For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself.” Jacob was His choice—and we know about Jacob! Jacob the unworthy sinner! Jacob the deceiver! Jacob the cheat! Jacob the rebel!

God could have chosen anyone He desired; He was free in His choice. But He chose Jacob. And He chose us! Why are you a Christian? He chose you and called you! It is all of grace.

2. His gracious treasure.

“And Israel for his peculiar treasure.” Did you notice the change to Israel! He chose Jacob, but He graciously worked to transform him into Israel—a prince with God. God owns everything, but the people He chooses are His personal, private treasure, His pride and joy! Why do we enjoy such a relationship with God? Grace is the only explanation. His unmerited grace gives us reason to praise Him.

II. THE GREATNESS OF GOD GIVES US REASON TO PRAISE.

But He is more than just our Savior—He is the God of nature and the Lord of history.

1. His sovereign acts in nature.

“For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the Lord pleased that HHe did in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causes the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightings for the rain; He bringeth the wind out of His treasures.”

All of the world of nature is under His command, and moves swiftly to His will.

2. His mighty acts in history.

“Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon his servants. Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings.”

The psalmist remembers the mighty acts of God in history as he delivered His people from Egypt and then finally settled them in their own land of promise.

All of history is under His control.

3. His glorious superiority to all others.

To consider the nature of all religious alternatives is only to realize more clearly the glorious superiority of the God of our salvation. His name and reputation endures unchallenged in any generation.

“The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.”

The Psalmist understood that we have good reason to praise the Lord, every day, in every circumstance, with all of our heart. Let us join your hearts and lift up our voices in praise of the Lord our God!

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