Praise Ye The LORD - Praising the LORD for His Faithfulness

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-14-2026

Psalm 146

A.  Tonight, we will look at the first of a set of the last five Psalms, often referred to as the “Hallelujah Psalms.”  Hallelujah, though not found in the Old Testament, is the underlying word for the phrase “Praise ye the LORD,” which occurs 25 times in the Old Testament.  The word “Alleluia,” found in the New Testament four times, all in the Book of Revelation.  Alleluia is the Greek form meaning "to celebrate" or "to praise" Jah or Jehovah.

 

B.  The final five psalms (146–150) each begin and end with “Praise ye the LORD.”  The psalms call the believer to praise the Lord because He alone is worthy of our praise.

 

C.  These psalms serve as the grand doxology of the entire Book of Psalms. After the cries of lament, prayers for deliverance, wisdom teachings, and songs of thanksgiving found throughout the Psalter, the book concludes with an escalating call to praise God.

 

D.  With this short introduction, we will explore these psalms individually because, though alike, they are all different.

 

1.  Verse 1-2.  The People to Praise the LORD. 

Psalms 146:1-2  Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.  (2)  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

a.  “Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.” Every child of God should be prayerfully thankful in their hearts!  This admonition to praise is not meant for you.  It is meant for me.  The gratefulness of my heart for the things that God has done for me, to me, and through me.  The same goes for each of you.  Grateful is thankful, and thankful is thinkful!  Learn to count your many blessings and remember what God has done.

 

b.  While I live I will praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.”  Praise should be continual.  While I live speaks of every instance, every circumstance, all the time, as long as we live!  A lifelong commitment for as long as we have our “being.”  Physically and mentally here!

c.  Singing along our way in life.  Making melody in our hearts. 

Ephesians 5:19-20  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  (20)  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

2.  Verses 3-6.  The Person of our Praise. 

Psalms 146:3-7  Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.  (4)  His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.  (5)  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:  (6)  Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:  (7)  Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

a.  Verses 3-4.  Putting no Trust in Men.  Human leaders may possess authority (which is to be respected and biblically obeyed), influence, and power, but they cannot solve all your problems nor earn your spiritual praise.  They can do and produce good as they are ordained of God, but kings die, governments pass away, and leaders fail!

 

b.  Verses 5-6)  “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God.”  Only God remains unchanged!  God is our Help!  God is our Hope!

 

c.  God in our Confidence!  God is all-powerful.  “Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is.”

 

3.  Verses 7-9.  The Performance of our Praise.

Psalms 146:7-9  Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:  (8)  The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:  (9)  The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

a. He defends the oppressed.  “Which executeth judgment for the oppressed.” God sees injustice and will ultimately make all things right.

 

b.  He provides for the needy.  “Which giveth food to the hungry.”  Every meal should be preceded with a prayer of thankfulness as they remind us of God’s provision.

 

c.  He delivers the captives.  “The LORD looseth the prisoners.”  God is able to free men physically and spiritually.

 

d.  He gives sight to the blinded.  “The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind.”  Often men get blinded by the things of the world for a while, but God, through His holy Word and the Holy Spirit, opens our spiritual eyes.

 

e.  He lifts up the fallen.  “The LORD raiseth them that are bowed down.”  God specializes in restoring broken people.

 

f.  He loves the righteous.  “The LORD loveth the righteous.”  What encouragement for God’s people!

 

g.  He protects the weak.  “The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow.”  The very people society often overlooks receive God’s special care.

 

4.  Verse 10.  The Permanence of our Paise.  “The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.”  God’s reign is eternal!  Earthly kingdoms rise and fall; empires have come and gone (Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome), but God’s praise should have no end!

 

5.  The psalm closes where it began:  “Praise ye the LORD.”

The Aspects of Worship

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-7-2026

Psalm 96

 

A.  The Psalms teach over and over to God’s people how and when to worship.  I call “worship” the missing ingredient in churches. 

 

1.  Worship is not just attendance.  A believer can attend every church service and still not get involved in the worship service.

 

2.  Worship is a personal thing that leads to the corporate worship of the local church. 

 

3.  Worship requires involvement along with order.  I have seen worship services that got out of control.  I have seen singing and praise take the place of preaching. 

 

4.  Preachers said, “It got on tonight, and I didn’t even get to preach.”  At that point, my question is “Got on what?’ 

 

5.  The church house is the pillar and ground of the truth!  The church is where the pastor is commanded to preach the Word.

 

B.  Worship also encourages one another.  Hebrews 10:25 tells us to encourage one another.  “One another” means I need to encourage you but you also need to encourage me!  It is reciprocal! 

 

C.  So, I believe that Psalm 96 deals with the personal aspect of worship. Let’s break the psalm down into its parts as they concern worship.

 

1.  The Aspect of Singing.  Verses 1-2.  I cannot overstate the importance of personal singing.

 

Psalms 96:1-2  O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.  (2)  Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

 

a.  Our singing is to be vocal.  Totally different from the making melody in our hearts when filled with the Spirit.  Open your mouth and let her go!  Make a loud noise.

 

b.  Our singing is to be continual.  This speaks of a new worship each time we worship.  Worship last week did not extend to this evening.  

 

2. The Aspect of Worship. Verses 3-5.  “worth ship”  Declaring what God means to us.

 

Psalms 96:3-5  Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.  (4)  For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.  (5)  For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

 

a.  Declaring God's Glory to an unsaved world.  Don’t be afraid to talk about the Lord before the lost.  “Let your light so shine” that the world will see Christ in you, the Hope of glory.

 

b.  Declaring God’s Greatness before the Church.  Popcorn testimonies.  If God has done something special for us, we need to share it in the church as an encouragement.

 

3.  The Aspect of Giving.  Verses 6-9.  

 

Psalm 96:6-9  Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. (7)  Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.  (8)  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. (9)  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. 

 

a.  Give the Lord Honor and Majesty.  Put God in His proper place.  He is worthy to be praised.

 

b.  Give the Lord Your Strength.  Allow God to use you.  God wants and uses bodies.

 

c.  Give the Lord an Offering.  An offering is above the tithe. 

 

d.  Give the Lord a Holy Life.  The beauty of holiness.

 

4.  The Aspect of Submission.  Verse 10. 

 

Psalm 96:10  Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. 

 

a.  Worship bows to the Sovereignty of God.  Acceptance of God’s will and way as what he deems best.  Just praise the Lord despite of circumstances.  People normally praise the Lord when all things are good and what we want. 

 

b.  Worship submits to God’s Ruling. 

 

Luke 22:42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

 

5.  The Aspect of Anticipation.  Verses11-13. 

 

Psalm 96:11-13  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.  (12)  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice  (13)  Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

 

a. Creation rejoices in anticipation as:  The heavens rejoice, the earth is glad, the sea roars, the field is joyful, and the trees rejoice. All creation looks forward to the reign of their Creator.

 

b.  The believer is filled with Hope.   Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

Be Still and Know That I Am God

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-31-2026

Psalms 46

Introduction: 

A.  Psalm 46 is a psalm of confidence in troubled times.

 

1.  Many believe this psalm inspired A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and rightly so, because Psalm 46 presents God as the unshakable refuge of His people.

 

2.  It was written both during and for future days of shaking, uncertainty, fear, and warfare. The earth is moving, mountains are collapsing, waters are roaring, kingdoms are raging — yet in the middle of all the chaos, God’s people are called to confidence, calmness, and faith.

 

3.  This psalm reminds us that while the world changes, God never changes.  Though we live in the 21^st century, we still face these things both mentally and physically. 

 

B.  Three Enemies that you and I face each day can cause us to “look back” if we are not careful.  The devil is on a rampage today and is doing all that he can to disable, discourage, defile, or destroy God’s people. 

 

1.  Worry - Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

2.  Fear - Deuteronomy 31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

 

3.  Discouragement - Joshua 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

 

C.  Let’s look at the breakdown of the psalm.

 

1.  A Declaration of What God is - 1-7

 

a.  A Refuge (hiding place)- 1a

b.  A Strength - 1b

c.  A VERY Present Help - 1c

d.  A calm in the storm - 2-3

e.  A river of joy - 4

f.  An ever-present Saviour - do not have to run to our Refuge - He is there – 7

 

2.  A Declaration of What He Has Done - 8-9

 

a.  He has been victorious in every past circumstance

b.  He has never failed in His purpose

 

3.  A Declaration of What We Are To Do - 10-11

 

a.  Remain still- 10

b.  Remember who He is - 10

c.  Place your confidence in Him - 11

 

BE STILL - (When & Why?)

 

A.  Be Still When?

 

1.  Be Still When You Are Disappointed

 

Isaiah 40:31  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.

 

2.  Be Still When You Are Discouraged

 

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Psalms 4:4  Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

 

3.  Be Still When You Are Distressed

 

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

4.  Be Still When You Are Doubtful

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

         

B.  Be Still Why?  (Circumstances Can Alter Our Perception Of God)

 

1.  Be Still Because God's Time May Not Be Our Time.

 

Psalms 145:15  The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

 

2.  Be Still Because We May Not Have The Proper Perspective

 

Exodus 14:13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

 

3.  Be Still Because God's Will May Not Be Ours

 

2 Corinthians12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

4.  Be Still Because We Need To Remain Confident In Him

 

Hebrews 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

 

5.  Be Still Because He Is Still God!

 

Isaiah 43:11  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

The Importance of Worship

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-24-2026

Psalm 145

 

Introduction:   Psalm 145 sets the stage for Psalms 146-150 as each of those Psalms begins and ends in the phrase of praise: “Praise ye the Lord!”

A.  I often say that this generation will never know the America we grew up in.  There is truth to that statement because of the degradation of the society in which we must live. 

 

1.  The change affects us older people because of the drastic shifts from the 40s and 50s to the present day.  Common sense, integrity, submission to authority, truthfulness, honesty, modesty, and self-respect are becoming things of the past. 

 

2.  Unfortunately, our children and grandchildren have never experienced these things.  If evolution is moving toward a higher plane, this generation we see today did not evolve in the right direction.

 

B.  Thus, it is with true worship: spirit and truth.  I go to many churches today and am uncomfortable.  This newfangled form of worship steals my worship away because I have known days when church was a place of reverence, holiness, order, and separation from the world.  I find little of these things in present-day churches.

 

C.  I said all that to say this: Our children and this present world will never know these things unless we praise the works of God to them.  This is an action, not just words spoken.  I believe the key verse of Psalm 145 is verse 4.

 

Psalms 145:4  One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

 

D.  We have a lot of visitors who come here a time or two, then never come back.  Why?  Great question!

 

1.  They do not like our music.  They are so used to churches being entertainment centers, with music that has the beat and lyrics of the world.  We sing as our spiritual fathers once sang.  Ever heard of singing out of a Hymn Book?

 

2.  They do not like our Bible.  Having never been taught doctrine, they have worldly bibles in their hands, not the Holy Bible of our fathers.  Many do not even bring a Bible, as the TV screens on the walls are available for them to read.

 

3.  They do not like our preaching.  Let me rephrase that.  They do not like my preaching!  Straight and to the point!

 

E.  There are no complaints here, no petitions, no cries for deliverance. This psalm is filled with worship. Why this introduction?  Because the Bible tells us, through the personal life of King David,  how and why to worship.

 

1.  The Responsibility of our Worship.  “I”  I cannot worship for you, and you cannot worship for me!  Every child of God is admonished to worship their Creator.

 

2.  The Resolve of Worship.  “Will”  Psalm 100 sets the pattern of worship that God wants and requires.  When it is church time, resolve to come into His presence with praise, singing, and thanksgiving.

 

3.  The Reverence of our Worship.  “Extol Thee”  To place in a place of high esteem.  Reverently as His name is Reverend!  I refuse to be called Recverend because of my esteem and love for God.  He is worthy, not I.

 

4.  The Reason of our Worship.  “My God, O King”  He is LORD.  You do not make Him LORD!  He is also Ruler: King.

 

a.  Verses 5-13.  For Who He Is!  “My God, O King”  He is our God, but He is also the child of God’s King!  This is reason enough to worship Him. We will take a short look at what God does for us, but if God never did anything other than save us, that’s enough! 

 

1)  Verses 5-6.  His mighty works, His majesty, and His greatness.

 

2)  Verses 7-9.  His goodness, righteousness, graciousness, compassion, long suffering, and mercy.

 

3)  Verses 10-13.  His kingdom, both now and to all generations, and eternally.

 

b.  Verses 14-20.  For What He Does!  The things that God does for us are beyond numbering, so I will briefly mention a few of them found in this Psalm.

 

1)  Verse 14.  He upholdeth and raiseth up.  When we fall, He catches us.  When we stumble, He stabilizes us.

 

2)  Verse 15.  He watches over and provides for us.

 

3)  Verse 16.  He satisfies the hungry.

 

4)  Verse 17.  All His work is holy.  You can depend upon that.

 

5)  Verse 18.  His is nigh and hears our prayers.

 

6)  Verse 19.  He is always there with and for us.

 

7)  Verse 20.  He preserves and delivers us.

 

5.  Verse 20.  The Regularity of our Worship.  “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.”

 

6.  Verse 4.  The Relegation of our Worship.  “One generation … to another” – In this present evil world, our children and converts MUST see the reality of our Saviour and the change that our salvation brings.  If they do not see it in us, they probably will not see it in the world.

Worship and Warning

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-10-2026

Psalm 95

 

Introduction:

A.  Psalm is an interesting one with a two-fold breakdown: Verses 1-7 – A call to worship. And Verses  8-11 – A solemn warning.  It begins with praise and ends with admonition. 

 

B.  Worshipping in spirit and truth, which is commanded, has become lost on our generation.  So many of God’s people think they do God a favor when they come to church, hear a sermon, and give a big dollar.  A cute story:

 

One little boy was listening to his parents discuss the church service.  The mother stated she did not like the song services.  The dad said that the preacher’s sermon was too long.  The little boy said that he thought that it was a pretty good show for a buck.

C.  The same God who invites us to sing also demands that we hear His voice.  One preacher from Great Britain, many years ago, said this about worship:

 

“For to worship is to quicken the conscience by the Holiness of God; to feed the mind with the truth of God; to purge the imagination by the beauty of God; to open the heart to the love of God; to devote the will to the purpose of God.”

 

D.  The dictionary defines worship as adoration, homage to be given to God. This reminds us that true worship is not merely an outward expression but an inward submission.  True worship involves praise, singing, giving, and involvement.  It is a marvelous event when the corporate body of believers in a local church can truly worship together.

 

E.  Now the breakdown of the Psalm.

 

1.  Verses 1-5.  An Invitation to Worship. 

 

a.  “O come,”  Worship is corporate as well as individual.  This invitation to worship is all-inclusive.

 

b.  An expression of Joyfulness.  “let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”  Not me sing; not you sing; but we sing!

 

c.  An expression of gratitude.  “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving”  God has been good to us all.

 

d.  As expected attitude.  “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”  We do not worship based upon how we feel; we worship God because of who He is!

 

2.  Verses 6-7a.  A Call to Adoration. “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

 

a.  Here we find Reverence.  “Bow down… kneel”   Worship involves humility: the humbling of self and elevation of God.

 

b.  Here we find Relationship. "For he is our God”  We are His, and He is ours.  Children of G through faith and a new birth.

 

c.  Here we find Dependence.  “We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand”

 

Interlude:  Four times in the verses above, we find the admonition “let us.” That shows us that worship of God, though commanded, is still a matter of personal choice! “Let us” rejoice in the God of our salvation with thankfulness and adoration. Or, as the children of Israel did during their years in the wilderness, let us choose to harden our hearts through unbelief and sinfulness. The same choice remains today.

 

3.  Verse 7b.  A Call to Obedience.  “To day if ye will hear his voice”

 

a.  A Present Moment.  “To day”  Today, not Tomorrow.  An immediate response is indicated here.

 

b.  A Responsibility to Listen.  “if ye will hear his voice”  “If” is conditional, which leads to the warning of the rest of the Psalm.

 

 

4.  Verses 8-11.  A Warning against Hardening the Heart.  Reiterated in Hebrews 3:15-19.

 

a.  As Example Given.  “Harden not your heart, as in the provocation…”

 

Exodus 17:4-7  And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.  (5)  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.  (6)  Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.  (7)  And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

 

b.  A Danger Exposed.  “They do alway err in their heart”  Both obedience and sinfulness are heart issues. 

 

1)  Deceitful hearts.

 

2) Divided hearts.

 

3)  Discouraged hearts

 

4)  Dirty hearts.

 

5)  Defiled hearts

 

c.  A Consequence Promised.  “Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.”

 

Conclusion:  Let us observe to worship and flee the warning.  It is possible to be near God’s work but far from God’s will.  Psalm 95 presents a powerful contrast:

 

1.  Joyful praise vs. stubborn rebellion.

 

2.  Soft hearts vs. hardened hearts.

 

3.  Entering rest vs. missing blessing.

The Throne of the King - The Gainsaying of Core

Temple Baptist Church - 5-3-2026

Psalm 45

Introduction:

A.   Another of the Davidic Psalms, of which he wrote 73, with two others referenced as possibly his.  The man after God’s own heart was a man of worship! The introduction to Psalm 35 is important because it sets the tone for this didactic Psalm. 

 

1.  It was written to be played by the chief Musician upon “Shoshannim,” a trumpet.  To sound aloud, to make a declaration concerning the greatness of God’s throne.

 

2.  It was written for the sons of Korah.  Korah was a son of Kohath, a son of Levi, a priest.  There were three of Levi’s sons who moved the Tabernacle in the wilderness:

 

a.  Kohath — They took down the Vail and covered the holy furniture in the Holy Place, then carried them.  A work that required the utmost respect

b.  Gershon — tore down the curtains and coverings.

 

c.  Merari — took down and carried the boards and pillars

 

3.  The sons of Kohath were in charge of the “holy things” of the Tabernacle. When the Tabernacle was moved, the sons of Kohath took down the veil, covered the holy articles of the holy place, and concealed them from the people’s view with a badger skin.

 

4. Korah took it upon himself to withstand Moses and Aaron by declaring the entire congregation to be holy, thus rejecting the holiness of these two God-called men.

 

Jude 11  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 

 

5.  God opened up the earth and swallowed them up.

 

6. Psalm 45 uplifts God’s throne and warns the sons of Korah that those who defile it by making it common or of lesser power and authority.  They would be destroyed as their father was.

 

“Core” is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew word “Korah.”

 

“Gainsaying:  dispute, disobedience, strife, or contradiction.

 

B.  Maschil: didactic or instructional.  To teach the people of God concerning the dangers of getting too cozy with God.

 

C.  A Song of Loves.  The word “loves” is plural, indicating the love and respect King David has for both God and the Throne of God.  This is expressed in the first statement of the Psalm:  “My heart is inditing a good matter.”  Something stirring deeply inside, then flowing outward in words with beauty, purpose, and reverence

 

D.  Hebrews 1:8 directly applies this psalm to Christ: “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…” Thus, we are not merely looking at a king, we are beholding THE King, and more specifically, His throne.  A throne speaks of authority, dominion, rule, and majesty. In Psalm 45, we are given a panoramic view of the throne of Christ.

 

E.  With these things in mind, I want us to examine the throne of God.

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  The Sovereignty of God’s Throne.  “My heart is inditing a good matter… Thou art fairer than the children of men…” God is sovereign in His reign over the heavens and the earth.  It was in the Will of God, coupled with the Word of God, that created the World of God.  With God’s throne, there is absolute authority over all matters.  I am glad that it is God who is my Heavenly Father.  He is in total control!

 

a.  God is not an elected Ruler!

 

b.  God is not a temporary (term-limited) Authority.

 

c.  God does not receive this sovereignty from man as He possesses it eternally.

 

2.  Verse 6.  The Stability of God’s Throne.  “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…”  Earthly thrones crumble. Kingdoms rise and fall. But Christ’s throne is never shaken.  Daniel saw kingdoms come and go, but the kingdom of Christ stands forever.  The stability of His throne gives assurance to the believer; therefore, our salvation is secured as its Owner cannot be overthrown.  (Ask Lucifer how that worked out for him!)

 

a.  It is not subject to rebellion

 

b.  It is not threatened by time

 

c.  It is not weakened by opposition

 

3.  Verses 2-3, 8.  The Glory of God’s Throne.  “Thou art fairer… grace is poured… Gird thy sword… All thy garments smell of myrrh…”  The throne of Christ is surrounded by glory, as pictured in verse 8, which depicts royal splendor—fragrance, ivory palaces, music.

This is not a dull throne, nor is it a hidden throne.  This is a glorious throne that radiates majesty.

 

a.  Glory in His person

 

b.  Glory in His speech.

 

c.  Glory in His appearance

 

d.  Glory in His presence

 

4. Verses 3-5.  The Power of God’s Throne.  “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh… Thine arrows are sharp…” Here we see the King as a warrior. Christ is not merely gentle—He is mighty, and He conquers.

 

a.  The power of His sword.  The Word of God brings judgment.

b.  The power of His arrows speaks of His precision in conquering hearts and enemies.

c.  The power of His person.  “All power” in heaven and in earth as power belongeth to God. 

 

5.  Verses 3-5.  The Rule of God’s Throne.  “The sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.”

A sceptre represents rule and governance.  His rule is perfectly just, absolutely authoritative, and completely unquestionable. His rule is right in every decision, every decree, every judgment.

 

a.  God never abuses His power.

 

b.  God never rules unjustly.

 

c.  God never makes mistakes.

 

6. Verse 7-9.  The Holiness of God’s Throne.  “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness…”  Righteousness is the moral foundation of His throne.  He neither tolerates evil nor does He compromise with it.  Holiness is the moral foundation of His throne.  God loves righteousness and hates unrighteousness.  Christ’s throne is established upon it.  Holiness flows from:

 

a. He is holy in His nature.  God cannot sin according to James 1:13, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”

 

b.  He is holy in His dealings.  I do not understand all that I know about God, but I do know that he is always right and does no wrong.

 

c.  He is holy in His salvation.  He has a consecrated bride.

 

7.  verses 6, 16-17.  The Eternality of God’s Throne.  “For ever and ever… I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations…”  Generations come and go, but Christ remains the same.

His name will be remembered: in every age, by every people, for all eternity!  This throne has no beginning, it has no end, and it will never be replaced.