What kind of world will it be when all nations are led by God? Let’s begin in Psalm 67
For the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. (WEB)
Do we want God to smile at us showing His loving grace and blessing?
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah (Ps 67:1 ESV)
Is God’s way of salvation just for one group of people or all nations to rejoice and shout for joy?
so that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, God; let all the peoples praise You. Let the nations rejoice and shout for joy, for You judge the peoples with fairness and lead the nations on earth. Selah (Ps 67:2-4 HCSB)
Will all people eventually learn to thank and revere God?
Let the people thank you, God; let all the people thank you. May the earth yield its produce. May God, our God, bless us. May God truly bless us so that all the peoples of the earth will fear him. (Ps 67:5-7 ISV)
We are thankful for the harvest, but is there also an eternal harvest, a harvest of souls?
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (John 4:34-36 KJV)
What kind of world will it be when all nations are led by God? You decide!
Shout Joyfully (Psalm 66)
Are shouting and singing praise with joy part of our Christian worship? Let’s explore Psalm 66.
For the Chief Musician. A song [sometimes vocals without instruments]. A Psalm [vocals with instruments]. (CEB)
Do we sometimes shout in church? Do we sing to God with real joy in our hearts? Do we sing at all?
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will pretend to obey You. All the earth will worship You, And will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name.” Selah (Ps 66:1-4 NASB)
Do we open our eyes to see what God has done? Do we rejoice in His historic deeds?
Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him. [Selah] (Ps 66:5-7 NIV)
Do we bless God? Do we make our praise for His rich fulfillment heard?
Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment. (Ps 66:8-12 NKJV)
What is the modern equivalent of making an offering to God?
Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you—yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trouble. That is why I am sacrificing burnt offerings to you—the best of my rams as a pleasing aroma, and a sacrifice of bulls and male goats. Interlude (Ps 66:13-15 NLT)
Do we who revere God hear testimonials of what God has done in other’s lives?
Come and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue. If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened. But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me. (Ps 66:16-20 WEB)
Why are trials necessary? What is more valuable than gold?
You now rejoice in this hope, even if it’s necessary for you to be distressed for a short time by various trials. This is necessary so that your faith may be found genuine. (Your faith is more valuable than gold, which will be destroyed even though it is itself tested by fire.) Your genuine faith will result in praise, glory, and honor for you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7 CEB)
Why should we be glad to endure a lot of trouble? What does it teach us?
My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything. (James 1:2-4 CEV)
Are shouting and singing praise with joy part of our Christian worship? You decide!
For the Chief Musician. A song [sometimes vocals without instruments]. A Psalm [vocals with instruments]. (CEB)
Do we sometimes shout in church? Do we sing to God with real joy in our hearts? Do we sing at all?
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will pretend to obey You. All the earth will worship You, And will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name.” Selah (Ps 66:1-4 NASB)
Do we open our eyes to see what God has done? Do we rejoice in His historic deeds?
Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him. [Selah] (Ps 66:5-7 NIV)
Do we bless God? Do we make our praise for His rich fulfillment heard?
Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment. (Ps 66:8-12 NKJV)
What is the modern equivalent of making an offering to God?
Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you—yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trouble. That is why I am sacrificing burnt offerings to you—the best of my rams as a pleasing aroma, and a sacrifice of bulls and male goats. Interlude (Ps 66:13-15 NLT)
Do we who revere God hear testimonials of what God has done in other’s lives?
Come and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue. If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened. But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me. (Ps 66:16-20 WEB)
Why are trials necessary? What is more valuable than gold?
You now rejoice in this hope, even if it’s necessary for you to be distressed for a short time by various trials. This is necessary so that your faith may be found genuine. (Your faith is more valuable than gold, which will be destroyed even though it is itself tested by fire.) Your genuine faith will result in praise, glory, and honor for you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7 CEB)
Why should we be glad to endure a lot of trouble? What does it teach us?
My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything. (James 1:2-4 CEV)
Are shouting and singing praise with joy part of our Christian worship? You decide!
Praise is Due (Psalm 65)
If we listed a thousand things to praise God for, what would we include? Let’s begin in Psalm 65.
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. (WEB)
To whom is praise due? Are we satisfied with the goodness of God’s house?
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! (Ps 65:1-4 ESV)
How does God answer us? Does He make east and west shout for joy?
You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. You establish the mountains by Your power, robed with strength. You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations. Those who live far away are awed by Your signs; You make east and west shout for joy. (Ps 65:5-8 HCSB)
Has God designed every detail of creation around us to prosper humanity?
You take care of the earth, you water it, and you enrich it greatly with the river of God that overflows with water. You provide grain for them, for you have ordained it this way. You fill the furrows of the field with water so that their ridges overflow. You soften them with rain showers; their sprouts you have blessed. You crown the year with your goodness; your footsteps drop prosperity behind them. (Ps 65:9-11 ISV)
Do God’s footsteps drop prosperity upon pastures, hills, and valleys all around us?
They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing. (Ps 65:12-13 KJV)
What did Jesus say about God providing life’s necessities for us?
For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Mat 4:25, 33-34 LSB)
If we listed a thousand things to praise God for, what would we include? You decide!
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. (WEB)
To whom is praise due? Are we satisfied with the goodness of God’s house?
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! (Ps 65:1-4 ESV)
How does God answer us? Does He make east and west shout for joy?
You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. You establish the mountains by Your power, robed with strength. You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations. Those who live far away are awed by Your signs; You make east and west shout for joy. (Ps 65:5-8 HCSB)
Has God designed every detail of creation around us to prosper humanity?
You take care of the earth, you water it, and you enrich it greatly with the river of God that overflows with water. You provide grain for them, for you have ordained it this way. You fill the furrows of the field with water so that their ridges overflow. You soften them with rain showers; their sprouts you have blessed. You crown the year with your goodness; your footsteps drop prosperity behind them. (Ps 65:9-11 ISV)
Do God’s footsteps drop prosperity upon pastures, hills, and valleys all around us?
They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing. (Ps 65:12-13 KJV)
What did Jesus say about God providing life’s necessities for us?
For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Mat 4:25, 33-34 LSB)
If we listed a thousand things to praise God for, what would we include? You decide!
Hide Me (Psalm 64)
Are we impressed by fame, fortune and power or by the righteous who rejoice in the Lord? Let’s look at Psalm 64.
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. (WEB)
Do we need God to preserve our lives, hide us from secret plots, from rebellious workers of iniquity?
Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity, Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words, That they may shoot in secret at the blameless; Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. (Ps 64:1-4 NKJV)
Are there criminals who set traps for honest people in our world?
They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. “Who will ever notice?” they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, “We have devised the perfect plan!” Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning. (Ps 64:5-6 NLT)
Do criminals realize that God will punish them, while their own tongues ruin them? Will their demise cause people to fear God, praise Him and ponder?
But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow. Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads. All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done. (Ps 64:7-9 WEB)
Rather than focus on the negative, what is the most positive thing that we can do in a dangerous world?
Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord; let them take refuge in him; let everyone whose heart is in the right place give praise! (Ps 64:10 CEB)
Should we be careful to do good, because what we sow we will reap?
You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. (Gal 6:7 CEV)
Are we impressed by fame, fortune and power or by the righteous who rejoice in the Lord? You decide!
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. (WEB)
Do we need God to preserve our lives, hide us from secret plots, from rebellious workers of iniquity?
Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity, Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words, That they may shoot in secret at the blameless; Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. (Ps 64:1-4 NKJV)
Are there criminals who set traps for honest people in our world?
They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. “Who will ever notice?” they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, “We have devised the perfect plan!” Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning. (Ps 64:5-6 NLT)
Do criminals realize that God will punish them, while their own tongues ruin them? Will their demise cause people to fear God, praise Him and ponder?
But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow. Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads. All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done. (Ps 64:7-9 WEB)
Rather than focus on the negative, what is the most positive thing that we can do in a dangerous world?
Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord; let them take refuge in him; let everyone whose heart is in the right place give praise! (Ps 64:10 CEB)
Should we be careful to do good, because what we sow we will reap?
You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. (Gal 6:7 CEV)
Are we impressed by fame, fortune and power or by the righteous who rejoice in the Lord? You decide!
My God (Psalm 63)
Are we satisfied in God or do we make idols out of the things that a corrupt world values? Who is our God? Let’s look at Psalm 63.
A Psalm by David, when he was in the desert of Judah. (WEB)
How deep is our desire for God? Is it just a weekly afterthought, or a deep thirst in a world that is a spiritual desert?
God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. (Ps 63:1-2 HCSB)
How much greater is God’s love than that of human society? Is lifting up hands in church just for charismatics? Do we praise God with joy in our churches or just stand there mute?
Because your gracious love is better than life itself, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in your name. Just as I am satisfied with the choicest of foods, so my lips will praise you joyfully. (Ps 63:3-5 ISV)
Do we think about God on our beds at night and rejoice in Him and His help? How hard do we follow after God?
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. (Ps 63:6-8 KJV)
In the midst of a world that seeks to destroy our lives for money, selling tainted food products, creating scams, speaking lies, do we keep our promises to God?
But those who seek my life to destroy it, Will go into the depths of the earth. They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; They will be a portion for foxes. But the king will be glad in God; Everyone who swears by Him will boast, For the mouths of those who speak lies will be closed. (Ps 63:9-11 LSB)
For what do we hunger and thirst, the ethics of a corrupt world or God’s values?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Mat 5:6 NIV)
Are we satisfied in God or do we make idols out of the things that a corrupt world values? Who is our God? You decide!
A Psalm by David, when he was in the desert of Judah. (WEB)
How deep is our desire for God? Is it just a weekly afterthought, or a deep thirst in a world that is a spiritual desert?
God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. (Ps 63:1-2 HCSB)
How much greater is God’s love than that of human society? Is lifting up hands in church just for charismatics? Do we praise God with joy in our churches or just stand there mute?
Because your gracious love is better than life itself, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in your name. Just as I am satisfied with the choicest of foods, so my lips will praise you joyfully. (Ps 63:3-5 ISV)
Do we think about God on our beds at night and rejoice in Him and His help? How hard do we follow after God?
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. (Ps 63:6-8 KJV)
In the midst of a world that seeks to destroy our lives for money, selling tainted food products, creating scams, speaking lies, do we keep our promises to God?
But those who seek my life to destroy it, Will go into the depths of the earth. They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; They will be a portion for foxes. But the king will be glad in God; Everyone who swears by Him will boast, For the mouths of those who speak lies will be closed. (Ps 63:9-11 LSB)
For what do we hunger and thirst, the ethics of a corrupt world or God’s values?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Mat 5:6 NIV)
Are we satisfied in God or do we make idols out of the things that a corrupt world values? Who is our God? You decide!
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