Today's lesson comes from Psalm 145: 8- 21. This psalm is a fitting conclusion for our study in the book of Psalms. It is filled with praise to God for who He is, and for what He does. As you study this psalm, make a list of God's attributes which are found in the psalm. There is much material in the lesson which you will find beneficial.
This psalm is uniquely entitled, :David's Psalm of Praise." It is the last of the acrostic psalms with each verse starting with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. There are no petitions in this psalm, only praise given to God. The first severn verses of the psalm begin with Davis's affirming that he will bless the Lord. The verses continue with praise for God's honor, majesty, acts, greatness, goodness, and righteousness. Our study will focus on the last fourteen verses.
The first section is "God's Magnanimous Character." vv. 8, 9 These verses express thoughts common throughout the Old Testament. Verse 8 lists four attributes of God: gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and merciful. God’s dealing with men are evidence of His grace. He is “full of compassion.” Christ was moved with compassion when He saw men as sheep without a shepherd. He is “slow to anger.” If this was not true, we would not have had the opportunity to become born again. The nature of God is of “great mercy.” God’s mercy is full, abundant, and overflowing. “The Lord is gracious to those that serve Him; He is full of compassion to those that need Him, slow to anger to those that have offended Him, and of great mercy to all that seek Him.” (Matthew Henry)
Verse 9 says “The Lord is good to all.” One of God’s attributes is His goodness; His acts toward men flow from His nature. No man can charge God with being harsh or unfair. “There is not one individual whom God is not ready and willing to bless; not one whose happiness would not be agreeable to Him, or whose welfare He is not ready to promote.” (Albert Barnes) God desires to be good to all those that seek Him.
The second section is “God’s Glorious Kingdom.” vv. 10-13 This portion of the lesson focuses on God's kingdom. Notice the descriptive words in this section: "glory," "power," "mighty acts," "glorious majesty," "everlasting," and "endureth." God's kingdom far exceeds any earthly kingdom or empire. Our imagination cannot begin to grasp the expanse and glory of God's rulership. the Bible commentator Matthew Henry states that verse eleven through thirteen describe the pomp, power, and perpetuity of God's kingdom. Why do God's saints speak of the glory of His kingdom and of His power? "To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts and the glorious majesty of his kingdom." We are to be missionaries and evangelists that God does save from all sin, both the acts of sin and the sin nature. God's kingdom is an "everlasting kingdom." Only God's kingdom will not be overthrown. Man's kingdoms come and go, but God's kingdom is eternal. While men may rebel, and Satan may rage, but God still reigns as Sovereign of the universe. "I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation." (Daniel 4: 34)
The third section is "God's Marvelous Providence." vv. 14-16 The greatness of God's kingdom is not seen in a display of power, but in the manifestation of His compassion. Yet, as great as He is, He still treats the needs of the weakest with a loving consideration. "The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that he bowed down." God helps those who are in misery and affliction, the weak and the unstable.
Every living thing on earth was made by God. However, God did not make all things and then forsake them. He is both the Creator and the Sustainer of all living things. God gives "them their meat in due season." "God is pictured as the universal Father, providing food for every living creature." (Adam Clarke) Verse 16 speaks of God's open hand and this signifies His gracious bestowal of all that is good for mankind. He bountifully bestows His gifts upon men. Since God takes care of all the needs of the entire creation, surely He can and will take care of us. "They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing."
The fourth section is "God's Present Availability." vv. 17-21 The last section opens with two more attributes of God: righteous (just) and holy. Verses 18 through 32 tell of God's gracious actions; He is near, fulfills the desires, hears the crystal, saves, and preserves.God is the Answer for everything which an individual needs to enjoy life and make it home to heaven at last.
Verse 17 informs u that God is righteous and holy in His works. He expects us to be the same. We are to be a holy people who live our lives completely surrendered to Him. Verse 18 states that He is near to those that call upon Him. That is a reason that owe can live holy lives is because He is close to us at all times. Verse 19 explains that He will fulfill the desires of those that fear Him. the sanctified have sanctified desires so wouldn't the Lord not want to fulfill them. Our desirers are to be holy and dedicated to Him. Verse 20 lets us know that as long as we continue to love Him, He will preserve us. This is our eternal security. Verse 21 ends the psalm as it began. David said, "I will bless thy name for ever and ever." 9v. 1) Now he calls upon all flesh to "bless his holy name for ever and ever." "A holy heart only desires what a holy God can give." (Charles Spurgeon)
The Golden Text: "Let thy mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day." (Psalm 71: 8) We are to be committed to following the Lord all they. When we arise, our lips should praise Him. When we work, our lips and lives should praise Him. When we retire for the evening, our lips should give Him glory. This is our preparation time for eternity.
Mu=y summary points:
1. God is full of compassion and good to all.
2. We should always be ready to give testimony to what God has done for us.
3. Those that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
4. A holy heart wants what God wants.
Don't forget to read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
Next week begins a new quarter. We study the book of Deuteronomy. The first lesson is "A Call to Obedience." (Deuteronomy 4: 1-10)
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