Deeper Life Search The Scripture 29 August 2021 Lesson 1015

Deeper Life Search The Scripture 29 August 2021 Lesson 1015

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TOPIC: SONGS OF DELIVERANCE AND THANKSGIVING

MEMORY VERSE: “The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14).

TEXT: Psalm 110-118

Deeper Life Search The Scripture 29 August 2021 Lesson 1015:

The set of Psalms under consideration can be divided into two parts. Psalm 110 deals with prophecies concerning Jesus Christ, the Messiah, while Psalms 111-118 deal with praises and prayers to the Almighty. These Psalms show us the good pleasures of God to mankind. “Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful” (Psalm 116:5). This goodness of God to man is through the provision of Jesus Christ who paid for the forgiveness of sins of the whole world. He deserves our highest and loudest praise.

In times of distress, discomfort and dissatisfaction, we should trust and pray to God who answers prayers and we will rejoice and see reasons to praise Him all the day long. “I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation” (Psalm 118:5,21).

PROPHECIES CONCERNING CHRIST

(Psalm 110:1-7; Luke 24:44,45; Matthew 22:43,44; Mark 12:36,37; Hebrews 8:1,2; Acts 2:32-36; 7:54-56; 1 Corinthians 15:25-28; Revelation 6:12-17; Hebrews 7:22-28; Revelation 19:11-21)

“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1). Here, the word “LORD” stands for the Almighty God while “Lord” stands for Jesus Christ. “God is the

LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar” (Psalm 118:27). “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:6). Psalm 110 has many prophecies concerning Christ, which are yet to be fulfilled.

Question 1: Mention the prophecies concerning Christ in Psalm 110.

The prophecies concerning Christ in Psalm 110 are His: (i) exaltation (verse 1; Act 7:56). (ii) final dominion over the wicked (verse 1,2). (iii) judgment of the kings and heathen (verses 5,6; Revelation 20:1-7). (iv) Priestly ministry (verses 3,4; Hebrews 7:22-28). (v) victory over all His enemies (verses 6,7; Revelation 19:11-21). Truly, Jesus Christ is the Messiah sent from God the Father for the redemption of mankind from sin. He has power to make all who received and believed Him pure and righteous. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth” (Psalm 110:3).

This redemption by God was first demonstrated for the children of Israel from the land of Egypt. “When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language” (Psalm 114:1). There, He manifested His power over nature and delivered them. This is the reason He deserves the praises of His people. Believers today must sing songs of deliverance and thanksgiving for the redemptive work of Christ in their lives. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

PRAISES AND PRAYER TO OUR CREATOR

(Psalms 111:1- 9; 113:1-9; 115:1-3,17,18; 116:17-19; 117:1,2; 118:1-4,21-29)

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1). The God of heaven and earth appreciates His creatures giving Him praises and thanks. Praising God is a heavenly command (Isaiah 43:21). This is why the psalmist consecrated his life to praising Him with his whole heart in the assembly of the upright and great congregation.

Question 2: Why should we praise God according to our text?

“The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever” (Psalm 111:2,3). There are many reasons for praising God. Some, according to our text, are: (i) the works of God are great (verse 2). (ii) His works are honourable and glorious (verse 3). (iii) His righteousness is forever (verse 3). (iv) He is gracious and compassionate (verse 4). (v) His provision for those who fear Him (verse 5). (vi) He is ever mindful of His covenant (verse 5).

(vii) His commandments are true (verse 7). (viii) His plan of redemption for all mankind (verse 9). (ix) His name is holy and reverend (verse 9). (x) His praise endures forever (verse 10). “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised” (Psalm 113:2,3).

“Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” (Psalm 113:5,6). From this reference, youths should learn to be humble despite their promotion or position in life. This godly virtue brings promotion and fruitfulness (1 Peter 5:5).

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake” (Psalm 115:1). Our praise, thanksgiving and glory must be to the Lord only because “he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psalm 115:3). Hence, we should develop a grateful heart to praise the Lord as the dead cannot praise Him (Psalm 115:17,18). We should offer sacrifices of thanksgiving even when He is yet to answer our requests. The psalmist said, “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:17). This shows that our prayer should go together with praise to the Lord who can do all things.

“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 117:1,2). This Psalm looks short and brief but reveals two reasons for praising God. One, the merciful kindness of the Lord is great. Two, His truth endures forever. Remember, through His mercy and truth of the gospel, we are saved. “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil”(Proverbs 16:6).

PROMISES FOR HIS CREATURES

(Psalms 111:10; 112:1- 10; 114:1-8; 115:1-18; 116:1-16; 118:5-20; Proverbs 1:7-33; 9:10)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever” (Psalm 111:10). This Scripture reveals the true source of godly wisdom and understanding, which is the fear of the Lord.

Question 3: What does it mean to fear the Lord?

“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Proverbs 3:7; Job 28:28). To fear the Lord means to depart from evil and wickedness. There are promises for those who fear the Lord (Proverbs 8:3).

Question 4: What are the promises for those who fear the Lord?

“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever” (Psalm 112:1-3). There are promises for those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying Him. Some of these promises include: (i) the seed1 of those that fear the Lord shall be mighty (verse 2).
(ii) They will possess wealth and riches (verse 3). (iii) They will possess righteousness forever (verses 3,9). (iv) They will receive divine guidance and illumination (verse 4); (v) They will be remembered in eternity (verses 5,6).

(vi) They will not be afraid of evil tidings (verses 7,8). (vii) They will be blessed and increased by God (Psalm 115:12-16). (viii) They will be helped and protected by the Lord (Psalm 118:5-20). From the above, the Lord calls on all youths to trust, and fear Him and be blessed. “He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 115:13-15).

“I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications” (Psalm 116:1). The Scripture affirms that the Lord is gracious, righteous and merciful; therefore, He listens to the prayer of those who call on Him for deliverance. This He does by helping, providing bountifully and delivering from death and things that cause tears (Psalm 116:6-8). These blessings should stir up commitment in us to serve Him more (verses 9-16). This we should do by praising, worshipping and serving Him all our days.

“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people” (Psalm 116:12-14).

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