Are songs of praise just a modern invention? Will we still want to praise God in prayer and in song when Christ returns? Let’s begin in Psalm 135.
What is one purpose for assembling together in the church building? Do we do this?
Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord! Praise him, you who serve the Lord, you who serve in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. (Ps 135:1-2 NLT)
Is one way to praise the Lord by singing in the house of the Lord? Do we sing?
Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant. For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession. (Ps 135:3-4 WEB)
How incredibly powerful is our God? Do we see it in the sea, clouds, lightning and wind?
Yes, I know for certain that the Lord is great—I know our Lord is greater than all other gods. The Lord can do whatever he wants in heaven or on earth, in the seas and in every ocean depth. God forms clouds at the far corners of the earth. God makes lightning for the rain. God releases the wind from its storeroom. (Ps 135:5-7 CEB)
How did the miracles surrounding the Exodus and settlement of the promised land reveal God’s power?
The Lord killed the first-born of people and animals in the land of Egypt. God used miracles and wonders to fight the king of Egypt and all of his officials. He destroyed many nations and killed powerful kings, including King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan. He conquered every kingdom in the land of Canaan and gave their property to his people Israel. (Ps 135:8-12 CEV)
Do we have the trust and patience in God to wait upon His plan for His people?
Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. (Ps 135:13-14 ESV)
Whether the nations worship literal idols or symbolic idols like material wealth, are they powerless substitutes for God?
The idols of the nations are of silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear; indeed, there is no breath in their mouths. Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them. (Ps 135:15-18 HCSB)
Are we all invited to bless the Lord from spiritual leaders to ordinary citizens?
House of Israel, bless the Lord! House of Aaron, bless the Lord! House of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord! Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who lives in Jerusalem. Hallelujah! (Ps 135:19-21 ISV)
Is this theme of praising God carried into the celebrations after Christ’s return?
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev 19:1-6 KJV)
Are songs of praise just a modern invention? Will we still want to praise God in prayer and in song when Christ returns? You decide!
Blessing God (Ps 134)
Have we ever thought that we could bless God? How would we do so? Let’s look at Psalm 134.
A Song of Ascents. (WEB)
Do we bless the Lord or just ask His blessing? Do we lift up our hands? Is that biblical or just Pentecostal?
Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, Who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord. The Lord who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion! (Ps 134:1-3 NKJV)
Did Simeon bless God as he held the child Jesus in his arms?
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32 ESV)
Does the Greek word for blessing God include praise as some translations affirm? How do our prayers bless God?
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luke 24:50-53 KJV)
Is blessing God something we do by speaking? Do we use our tongue rightly to bless God?
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. (Jas 3:5-9 ESV)
Have we ever thought that we could bless God? How would we do so? You decide!
A Song of Ascents. (WEB)
Do we bless the Lord or just ask His blessing? Do we lift up our hands? Is that biblical or just Pentecostal?
Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, Who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord. The Lord who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion! (Ps 134:1-3 NKJV)
Did Simeon bless God as he held the child Jesus in his arms?
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32 ESV)
Does the Greek word for blessing God include praise as some translations affirm? How do our prayers bless God?
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luke 24:50-53 KJV)
Is blessing God something we do by speaking? Do we use our tongue rightly to bless God?
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. (Jas 3:5-9 ESV)
Have we ever thought that we could bless God? How would we do so? You decide!
Unity (Ps 133)
How important is unity within our churches? What are some keys to unity? Let’s begin in Psalm 133.
A Song of Ascents. By David. (WEB)
Though we should not tolerate heresy, do we differ over many unimportant issues within our churches? Do we make unity a top priority?
Look how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil on the head, descending to the beard—even to Aaron’s beard—and flowing down to the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on Zion’s mountains. For there the Lord commanded his blessing—life everlasting. (Ps 133:1-3 ISV)
Is there a more important cause for unity than agreement over every doctrinal twig, every minor church decision? What does humility demand of us for the sake of unity?
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3 KJV)
Because every one of us has very different gifts, how does the human body remind us that God intends us to be unified?
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For also by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor 12:12-13 LSB)
How does purpose create joyful unity within the local church?
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. (Phil 2:1-2 NASB)
How do tolerance, forgiveness and love contribute to perfect church unity?
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col 3:13-14 NIV)
How important is unity within our churches? What are some keys to unity? You decide!
A Song of Ascents. By David. (WEB)
Though we should not tolerate heresy, do we differ over many unimportant issues within our churches? Do we make unity a top priority?
Look how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil on the head, descending to the beard—even to Aaron’s beard—and flowing down to the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on Zion’s mountains. For there the Lord commanded his blessing—life everlasting. (Ps 133:1-3 ISV)
Is there a more important cause for unity than agreement over every doctrinal twig, every minor church decision? What does humility demand of us for the sake of unity?
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3 KJV)
Because every one of us has very different gifts, how does the human body remind us that God intends us to be unified?
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For also by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor 12:12-13 LSB)
How does purpose create joyful unity within the local church?
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. (Phil 2:1-2 NASB)
How do tolerance, forgiveness and love contribute to perfect church unity?
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col 3:13-14 NIV)
How important is unity within our churches? What are some keys to unity? You decide!
A Promise to David (Ps 132)
What is our attitude towards our place of worship? Who is at the center of our worship? Let’s begin in Psalm 132.
A Song of Ascents. (WEB)
Did King David wholeheartedly desire a place of worship, a temple for God in Jerusalem? Do we have a special place to pray? Do we have a special place where the saints gather to worship God?
Yahweh, remember David and all his affliction, how he swore to Yahweh, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: “Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids, until I find out a place for Yahweh, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Ps 132: 1-5 WEB)
Did they celebrate the ark’s journey from Ephrathah Bethlehem and the fields of Jaar around Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem? Is our life like a journey of placing God in the center of our lives?
Yes, we heard about it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. Let’s enter God’s dwelling place; let’s worship at the place God rests his feet! Get up, Lord, go to your residence—you and your powerful covenant chest! Let your priests be dressed in righteousness; let your faithful shout out with joy! And for the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one. (Ps 132:6-10 CEB)
What promise did God make to David and how is Jesus the final fulfillment of that promise?
You made a solemn promise to David, when you said, “I, the Lord, promise that someone in your family will always be king. If they keep our agreement and follow my teachings, then someone in your family will rule forever.” (Ps 132:11-12 CEV)
What is the significance of God choosing Zion symbolically and eternally?
For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy. There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.” (Ps 132:13-18 ESV)
How did Peter explain that Jesus fulfilled this promise to David?
Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay. God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! (Acts 2:29-36 HCSB)
What is our attitude towards our place of worship? Who is at the center of our worship? You decide!
A Song of Ascents. (WEB)
Did King David wholeheartedly desire a place of worship, a temple for God in Jerusalem? Do we have a special place to pray? Do we have a special place where the saints gather to worship God?
Yahweh, remember David and all his affliction, how he swore to Yahweh, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: “Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids, until I find out a place for Yahweh, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Ps 132: 1-5 WEB)
Did they celebrate the ark’s journey from Ephrathah Bethlehem and the fields of Jaar around Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem? Is our life like a journey of placing God in the center of our lives?
Yes, we heard about it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. Let’s enter God’s dwelling place; let’s worship at the place God rests his feet! Get up, Lord, go to your residence—you and your powerful covenant chest! Let your priests be dressed in righteousness; let your faithful shout out with joy! And for the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one. (Ps 132:6-10 CEB)
What promise did God make to David and how is Jesus the final fulfillment of that promise?
You made a solemn promise to David, when you said, “I, the Lord, promise that someone in your family will always be king. If they keep our agreement and follow my teachings, then someone in your family will rule forever.” (Ps 132:11-12 CEV)
What is the significance of God choosing Zion symbolically and eternally?
For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy. There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.” (Ps 132:13-18 ESV)
How did Peter explain that Jesus fulfilled this promise to David?
Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay. God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! (Acts 2:29-36 HCSB)
What is our attitude towards our place of worship? Who is at the center of our worship? You decide!
Humility (Ps 131)
Is humility so important that if we miss it in our youth, God designed it to be among life’s last great lessons in old age? Let’s begin in Psalm 131.
A Song of Ascents. By David. (WEB)
Are pride and arrogance something we left behind in our youth? Were we like many young people, know-it-alls? Has age humbled us? Is this why people tend to vote in unwise people who tout popular simplistic solutions, whereas wise people may state unpopular truths?
Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes arrogant; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. (Ps 131:1 NASB)
Have we become quiet and calm like many in old age, who have learned that the world really does not have any answers, but only God does? Have we learned life’s last great lesson, the humility of a child content in God’s hands?
But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. (Ps 131:2 NIV)
As we age, do we realize that there is no hope in this body or this world, but our only real hope is in the Lord?
O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever. (Ps 131:3 NKJV)
What advice does James give about the necessity of humility?
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:6-10 NLT)
Is humility so important that if we miss it in our youth, God designed it to be among life’s last great lessons in old age? You decide!
A Song of Ascents. By David. (WEB)
Are pride and arrogance something we left behind in our youth? Were we like many young people, know-it-alls? Has age humbled us? Is this why people tend to vote in unwise people who tout popular simplistic solutions, whereas wise people may state unpopular truths?
Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes arrogant; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. (Ps 131:1 NASB)
Have we become quiet and calm like many in old age, who have learned that the world really does not have any answers, but only God does? Have we learned life’s last great lesson, the humility of a child content in God’s hands?
But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. (Ps 131:2 NIV)
As we age, do we realize that there is no hope in this body or this world, but our only real hope is in the Lord?
O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever. (Ps 131:3 NKJV)
What advice does James give about the necessity of humility?
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:6-10 NLT)
Is humility so important that if we miss it in our youth, God designed it to be among life’s last great lessons in old age? You decide!
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