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Calvary Missionary Baptist Church |
"Psalm 92" I. God wants to hear your prayers of thanksgiving and songs of praise! (v.1-3) 1. It is good to give thanks and to sing praises to the LORD- same word as God used in creating the universe when he saw that "It is good" (towb) - beautiful, best, better, joyful, loving, merry, etc. 2. It is suggested that we give thanks often "in the morning and every night" that we not forget what God has done for us. In doing this we make known or "shew forth" God's loving kindness. 3. A use of musical instruments was a way that this prophet saw fit to show thanksgiving to the LORD (psaltery - the harp that makes a solemn sound) "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" Ephesians 5:17-20 II. The works of God are greater than man's works, and the thoughts of God are greater than man's thoughts. (v.4-5) 1. The works of the LORD made the prophet glad (lit. "sameach" - gleeful) so much that he wished to shout (triumph). He was filled with joy because of the work that God has done! 2. Here are the words of his triumph - "O LORD, how great are thy works! And thy thoughts are very deep." (v.5) "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:28-31 III. The foolish man does not understand the greatness of God's works and exalts himself only to inevitable ruin (v.6-7) 1. Men who are brutish (lit. as cattle) do not understand how great God's works are. They are oblivious to the workings of His mighty hand. They are foolish because they understand not, yet because they do not understand they become fools. The LORD must enlighten the eyes of their soul, lest they be blinded for eternity. 2. Though the wicked in some instances flourish, it is just for a short time until they are inevitably perish for eternity. (Consider our teaching last week of Psalm 73) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23 IV. The LORD is most high forever more! (v.8) 1. Whereas the foolish, brutish, man will certainly perish for his sins, the LORD is exalted forever more! Man is as grass before God, but He endures, and sits in the most high places for eternity! 2. The Lord is, was, and forever more shall be. He is not confined to time, nor does he change with time. He is both Eternal and Immutable. "The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." - Isaiah 40:6-8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8 V. The enemies of the LORD will be scattered and destroyed forever (v.9) 1. All the enemies of the LORD will be dispersed or scattered, they will not be able to band together. 2. All those that work iniquity will perish (die, be destroyed) "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." - Revelation 21:8 VI. The righteous shall be exalted and flourish (v.10-14) 1. The righteous shall be lifted up with strength as a wild ox (unicorn) and God will pour out fresh oil upon their head (this signifies God's blessing, grace, and bounty) 2. The righteous shall also be victors over the unrighteous either in this world or the next. The enemies will perish, yet we will endure. 3. The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a Cedar in Lebanon. The palm tree is ever-green and it has large branches. The fruit from the palm is pleasant, the leaved from the palm symbolized peace and victory. They will grow for 100-200 years. The cedar tree grew large and had tenacious roots. It's wood is rot-resistant and knot-free so it was ideal for building. The cedars of Lebanon were known for their majesty. 4. The righteous, or those who are planted in the LORD's courts will flourish in the courts of God. They will dwell in His presence and grow there. 5. The righteous will flourish and bear fruit even in old age when many are drying up. They shall be fat (plentiful) and flourishing. What promises from the Word of God. If we stay in the presence of the LORD we will flourish, even in our old age! There is no better life than serving the Living God! VII. The righteous flourish to show forth the greatness of the LORD (v.15) The purpose of flourishing is that God will be known as a great God. People will look on our lives and glorify God. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 |