Bible: 5 Poetic Books

Lesson 3: Psalms, part one: POSITIVE Power and Passion

Praise

There is much to praise God for! Today, we are mask-makers. We are obsessed with appearance. How would it look if I did that? What would others say? What would the neighbors think?

When the psalmists give praise, they let loose! They have no such restrictions binding their praise--they extol God with mind, body, and soul! Let's look at a few examples:

Psalm 103

1 Praise the LORD , O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

[David begins this psalm by praising God for being inside all Christians, for His holy name, since it is a blessing to those who believe in it, and for all the benefits he gives us, like forgiving sin and healing the sick. He takes us out of our misery and is a true friend to us when others may not be. He rewards us and makes us feel young again, allowing His spirit to refresh us... and this is only the beginning of what David praises God for!]

6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

[Praise you God, for your sense of fairness!]

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

[Praise you for the 10 commandments--they were a gift!]

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

[The LORD does not kick us when we're down; instead, he seeks to lift us up. Praise God!] 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

[If we respect God's power and his greatness, he takes our burdens off our shoulders. Like a father, he may be strict, but he has a love for us, His creations, that transcends all else! Praise God!]

15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

[God's love is not a temporary thing. He does not divorce us because of our poor choices or sin. And unlike human love, which exists on earth and then is no more, His love for us endures forever. Praise God!]

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD , you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the LORD , all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22 Praise the LORD , all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD , O my soul.

[We must remember to praise God from the very depths of our soul...for His creations, for His gifts, and for His love.

PRAISE GOD! ]

Psalm 113 has inspired many Christian songs today, and it speaks of how often we should praise God:

Psalm 113 1 Praise the LORD .

Praise, O servants of the LORD , praise the name of the LORD . 2 Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. 3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

[We can never say enough good things about the grace of God.]

4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

[No matter how powerful a position one may hold, no matter the amount of influence one may have, there is none who even APPROACH the greatness of God. Yet another reason why He deserves our praise!]

7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. 9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

[God is the champion of the poor and oppressed. Though we may not have the strength or ability ourselves, though a situation may seem impossible, with God all things are possible!]

Praise the LORD .

Even the shortest chapter in the Bible knows what is most important; indeed, it is the very meaning of our lives:

Psalm 117

1 Praise the LORD , all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

Praise the LORD .

[Notice that this psalm doesn't say, "Praise the LORD, all you Jews--GOD is for EVERYONE. Every person on earth has the ability to enter into a relationship with God regardless of race, sex, or age. God is there for EVERYONE--there is no room for racism or sexism in His world. PRAISE GOD!]

How can you praise God? Through song, dance, prayer? By being a good role model to those you network with at work? By being a good neighbor? By telling others what He's done in your life? Yes, all of these, and many more. Get creative. Don't hold back. Praise God!

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