Does God need our flattery, or is praise to God simply a statement of reality that aligns us to Him and benefits us more than God? Let’s look at Psalm 99.
No matter what happens here on earth, who reigns and is exalted above all?
The Lord reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He is enthroned above the cherubim. Let the earth quake. Yahweh is great in Zion; He is exalted above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awe-inspiring name. He is holy. (Ps 99:1-3 HCSB)
Does God love fairness? Does prophecy point to God’s eventual justice in His time?
A mighty king who loves justice, you have established fairness. You have exercised justice and righteousness over Jacob. Exalt the Lord our God; worship and bow down at his footstool; He is holy! (Ps 99:4-5 ISV)
Though God punished the patriarchs of old for their sins, did He also forgive them?
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. (Ps 99:6-8 KJV)
Who is like our God, “Yahweh” in Hebrew, or “the Lord” in many English translations?
Exalt Yahweh our God And worship at His holy mountain, For holy is Yahweh our God. (Ps 99:9 LSB)
Do the angels in heaven also testify to God’s holiness?
And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” (Rev 4:8 NASB)
What are the implications of God’s holiness for us?
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Pet 1:15-16 NIV)
Does God need our flattery, or is praise to God simply a statement of reality that aligns us to Him and benefits us more than God? You decide!
Shout & Sing (Psalm 98)
Do we and all creation sing and shout for joy to the Lord? Let’s look at Psalm 98.
A Psalm. (WEB)
Are we encouraged to sing a new song, or stick with only the old ones?
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Ps 98:1-3 NKJV)
Does God encourage us to shout praises and sing for joy? Is that just for Pentecostals?
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! (Ps 98:4-6 NLT)
Does everything figuratively roar, clap, and sing for joy as God’s creation?
Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together. Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Ps 98:7-9 WEB)
After eating the bread and wine, what did Jesus and the disciples do?
After singing songs of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:26 CEB)
Imprisoned for their faith, what did Paul and Silas do?
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened.(Acts 16:25 CEV)
Should we just sing Psalms or are other genres of music also encouraged?
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col 3:16 ESV)
Do we and all creation sing and shout for joy to the Lord? You decide!
A Psalm. (WEB)
Are we encouraged to sing a new song, or stick with only the old ones?
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Ps 98:1-3 NKJV)
Does God encourage us to shout praises and sing for joy? Is that just for Pentecostals?
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! (Ps 98:4-6 NLT)
Does everything figuratively roar, clap, and sing for joy as God’s creation?
Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together. Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Ps 98:7-9 WEB)
After eating the bread and wine, what did Jesus and the disciples do?
After singing songs of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:26 CEB)
Imprisoned for their faith, what did Paul and Silas do?
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened.(Acts 16:25 CEV)
Should we just sing Psalms or are other genres of music also encouraged?
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col 3:16 ESV)
Do we and all creation sing and shout for joy to the Lord? You decide!
The Lord Reigns (Psalm 97)
Is the existence of God self-evident in the design of nature, its complex functionality, the obvious foresight and order? Let’s review Psalm 97.
Does God reign or is the earth a total accident, no planning, no DNA coded, no ecosystem, no design? When Jesus returns and God rules the earth will people feel oppressed or rejoice with gladness?
The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts and islands be glad. (Ps 97:1 HCSB)
Does a simple storm remind us that a cloud covered Mount Sinai, that a cloud filled the tabernacle, that the mountains would melt simply at God’s presence?
Thick clouds are all around him; righteousness and justice are his throne’s foundation. Fire goes out from his presence to consume his enemies on every side. His lightning bolts light the world; the earth sees and shakes. Mountains melt like wax in the Lord’s presence—In the presence of the Lord of all the earth. (Ps 97:2-5 ISV)
Does the mere existence of the heavens declare God’s righteousness? Do we see it?
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. (Ps 97:6 KJV)
Are idols anything to be proud of? Do statues carry any power like God?
Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, Who boast of idols; Worship Him, all you gods! Zion heard this and was glad, And the daughters of Judah have rejoiced Because of Your judgments, O Yahweh. For You are Yahweh Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. (Ps 97:7-9 LSB)
Do we truly hate evil, not evil doers? Do we trust God to save us from the wicked?
Hate evil, you who love the Lord, Who watches over the souls of His godly ones; He saves them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown like seed for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Be joyful in the Lord, you righteous ones, And praise the mention of His holy name. (Ps 97:10-12 NASB)
Has God revealed Himself through the things that He created?
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Rom 1:20 NIV)
Is the existence of God self-evident in the design of nature, its complex functionality, the obvious foresight and order? You decide!
Does God reign or is the earth a total accident, no planning, no DNA coded, no ecosystem, no design? When Jesus returns and God rules the earth will people feel oppressed or rejoice with gladness?
The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts and islands be glad. (Ps 97:1 HCSB)
Does a simple storm remind us that a cloud covered Mount Sinai, that a cloud filled the tabernacle, that the mountains would melt simply at God’s presence?
Thick clouds are all around him; righteousness and justice are his throne’s foundation. Fire goes out from his presence to consume his enemies on every side. His lightning bolts light the world; the earth sees and shakes. Mountains melt like wax in the Lord’s presence—In the presence of the Lord of all the earth. (Ps 97:2-5 ISV)
Does the mere existence of the heavens declare God’s righteousness? Do we see it?
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. (Ps 97:6 KJV)
Are idols anything to be proud of? Do statues carry any power like God?
Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, Who boast of idols; Worship Him, all you gods! Zion heard this and was glad, And the daughters of Judah have rejoiced Because of Your judgments, O Yahweh. For You are Yahweh Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. (Ps 97:7-9 LSB)
Do we truly hate evil, not evil doers? Do we trust God to save us from the wicked?
Hate evil, you who love the Lord, Who watches over the souls of His godly ones; He saves them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown like seed for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Be joyful in the Lord, you righteous ones, And praise the mention of His holy name. (Ps 97:10-12 NASB)
Has God revealed Himself through the things that He created?
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Rom 1:20 NIV)
Is the existence of God self-evident in the design of nature, its complex functionality, the obvious foresight and order? You decide!
A New Song (Psalm 96)
Is singing a new song appropriate for a generational change in the Gospel message? Let’s begin in Psalm 96.
Do we get uncomfortable at church with new songs? Does God encourage a new song?
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. (Ps 96:1-3 NKJV)
What is the difference between God and the idols of the nations?
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. (Ps 96:4-6 NLT)
What attributes should we give God thanks for?
Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of nations, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength. Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth. (Ps 96:7-9 WEB)
How does God judging all people fairly relate to the Gospel message to all nations?
Tell the nations, “The Lord rules! Yes, he set the world firmly in place; it won’t be shaken. He will judge all people fairly.” (Ps 96:10 CEB)
Is God’s coming judgment with fairness and truth something to celebrate?
Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate! Command the ocean to roar with all its creatures and the fields to rejoice with all their crops. Then every tree in the forest will sing joyful songs to the Lord. He is coming to judge all people on earth with fairness and truth. (Ps 96:11-13 CEV)
Is this part of the reason for the great commission given to the apostles?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Mat 28:19-20 ESV)
Is singing a new song appropriate for a generational change in the Gospel message? You decide!
Do we get uncomfortable at church with new songs? Does God encourage a new song?
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. (Ps 96:1-3 NKJV)
What is the difference between God and the idols of the nations?
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. (Ps 96:4-6 NLT)
What attributes should we give God thanks for?
Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of nations, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength. Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth. (Ps 96:7-9 WEB)
How does God judging all people fairly relate to the Gospel message to all nations?
Tell the nations, “The Lord rules! Yes, he set the world firmly in place; it won’t be shaken. He will judge all people fairly.” (Ps 96:10 CEB)
Is God’s coming judgment with fairness and truth something to celebrate?
Tell the heavens and the earth to be glad and celebrate! Command the ocean to roar with all its creatures and the fields to rejoice with all their crops. Then every tree in the forest will sing joyful songs to the Lord. He is coming to judge all people on earth with fairness and truth. (Ps 96:11-13 CEV)
Is this part of the reason for the great commission given to the apostles?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Mat 28:19-20 ESV)
Is singing a new song appropriate for a generational change in the Gospel message? You decide!
Shout Triumphantly (Psalm 95)
Do we question God like Israel in the wilderness? Let’s look at Psalm 95.
Is it appropriate to shout and sing in church or are we more conservative than that?
Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song. (Ps 95:1-2 HCSB)
Do we describe God as “awesome” or prefer the word “great” that most other translations seem to use? Do we recognize that He holds everything that exists?
For the Lord is an awesome God; a great king above all divine beings. He holds in his hand the lowest parts of the earth and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea that he made belongs to him, along with the dry land that his hands formed. (Ps 95:3-5 ISV)
Do we recognize our position in the heavenly scheme of things?
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (Ps 95:6-7a KJV)
Though a generation of Israel had seen God’s work setting them free from slavery, did they still harden their hearts in disbelief? Do we?
Today, if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, “When your fathers tried Me, They tested Me, though they had seen My work.” (Ps 95:7b-9 LSB)
Is that why that generation had to wander in the wilderness for forty years and were not granted entrance to the land of promise?
“For forty years I was disgusted with that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. Therefore I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest.” (Ps 95:10-11 NASB)
If under Joshua they did not find rest in either the Sabbath or the land of rest, what is then a Sabbath rest remaining for the people of God? Is it our eternal rest?
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. (Heb 4:8-11 NIV)
Do we question God like Israel in the wilderness? You decide!
Is it appropriate to shout and sing in church or are we more conservative than that?
Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song. (Ps 95:1-2 HCSB)
Do we describe God as “awesome” or prefer the word “great” that most other translations seem to use? Do we recognize that He holds everything that exists?
For the Lord is an awesome God; a great king above all divine beings. He holds in his hand the lowest parts of the earth and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea that he made belongs to him, along with the dry land that his hands formed. (Ps 95:3-5 ISV)
Do we recognize our position in the heavenly scheme of things?
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. (Ps 95:6-7a KJV)
Though a generation of Israel had seen God’s work setting them free from slavery, did they still harden their hearts in disbelief? Do we?
Today, if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, “When your fathers tried Me, They tested Me, though they had seen My work.” (Ps 95:7b-9 LSB)
Is that why that generation had to wander in the wilderness for forty years and were not granted entrance to the land of promise?
“For forty years I was disgusted with that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. Therefore I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest.” (Ps 95:10-11 NASB)
If under Joshua they did not find rest in either the Sabbath or the land of rest, what is then a Sabbath rest remaining for the people of God? Is it our eternal rest?
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. (Heb 4:8-11 NIV)
Do we question God like Israel in the wilderness? You decide!
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