WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.439 Well, it's a great privilege to be here with you again and to bring the word to you this 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:09.779 evening. 00:00:10.419 --> 00:00:18.000 Would you please turn with me, if you have a Bible with you, to Psalm 92, Psalm 92, 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:20.519 portion of which we've just sung. 00:00:22.339 --> 00:00:25.000 Let us hear God's own word. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:30.460 Psalm 92, a psalm, a song for the Sabbath day. 00:00:31.259 --> 00:00:37.259 It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:42.700 love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:44.060 and the melody of the harp. 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:47.480 For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord. 00:00:48.019 --> 00:00:50.859 I sing for joy at the works of your hands. 00:00:50.859 --> 00:00:53.539 How great are your works, O Lord! 00:00:53.759 --> 00:00:55.500 How profound are your thoughts! 00:00:56.259 --> 00:01:02.179 The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up 00:01:02.179 --> 00:01:07.900 like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. 00:01:08.840 --> 00:01:11.460 But you, O Lord, are exalted forever. 00:01:12.379 --> 00:01:19.239 For surely your enemies, O Lord, surely your enemies will perish, all evildoers will be scattered. 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:23.399 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox. 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:25.919 Fine oils have been poured upon me. 00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:29.459 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries. 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:33.159 My ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes. 00:01:34.019 --> 00:01:36.699 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:41.640 They will grow like a cedar of Lebanon, planted in the house of the Lord. 00:01:42.259 --> 00:01:44.599 They will flourish in the courts of our God. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:47.500 They will still bear fruit in old age. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:50.900 They will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:52.500 The Lord is upright. 00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:54.040 He is my rock. 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:56.760 And there is no wickedness in him. 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:02.400 So far, the reading of God's word. 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:10.219 Well, this psalm, Psalm 92, is a rather remarkable psalm. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:14.099 And it is remarkable for a variety of reasons. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:18.920 Perhaps most obviously, we find it remarkable for its moving imagery, 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:22.099 for the beauty of some of its phrases. 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:28.340 Towards the end of the psalm, particularly from verse 12 and verse 13, 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:31.960 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree. 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:35.140 They will grow like a cedar of Lebanon, 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:37.860 bearing fruit in old age, 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:40.840 flourishing in the presence of God. 00:02:41.920 --> 00:02:44.360 What words of beauty and splendor! 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:47.620 What words of strength and encouragement! 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:51.659 So it's a remarkable psalm because it is a beautiful psalm. 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:58.099 But it is also a remarkable psalm because it is the one psalm in the Psalter 00:02:58.099 --> 00:03:00.140 that mentions the Sabbath. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:02.819 That's kind of intriguing. 00:03:03.319 --> 00:03:07.480 Only one psalm in the whole Psalter mentions the Sabbath day. 00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:11.679 And it's further interesting that this psalm, Psalm 92, 00:03:12.119 --> 00:03:13.859 where we find the Sabbath mentioned, 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:16.899 that reference comes only in the title. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:20.699 Many psalms, of course, have a title. 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:23.739 Many psalms have a title. 00:03:23.819 --> 00:03:28.060 But the title of this psalm is a psalm, a song for the Sabbath. 00:03:30.019 --> 00:03:33.620 The Sabbath was a central institution in the Old Testament, 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:39.900 connected not only to particular historical festivals for God's people, 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:43.719 but to the regular weekly worship of God. 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:49.280 God, of course, had strictly charged Israel to keep the Sabbath day holy. 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:53.560 In Genesis 2 and Exodus 20, 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:57.080 he declared that he had grounded the holiness, 00:03:57.080 --> 00:04:00.800 the sanctity of the day in creation, 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:03.080 following his own pattern. 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:06.039 Of working for six days and then resting. 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:08.980 In Deuteronomy 5, 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:10.340 he declared through Moses 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:12.680 that he had also grounded the Sabbath day 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:14.379 in his redemptive work. 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:18.300 So he, through Moses, tells the people there, 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:21.660 you shall remember that you were slaves in Egypt, 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:23.939 and that the Lord your God 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:26.540 brought you out from there with a mighty arm, 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:31.120 a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:34.680 Therefore, the Lord your God commands you to keep the Sabbath day. 00:04:36.780 --> 00:04:39.480 And so, too, when the prophets warn Israel 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:43.019 of the peril and the danger of Israel's sin, 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:45.780 of Israel's disobedience, 00:04:46.780 --> 00:04:49.620 keeping the Sabbath is never far from view, is it? 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:54.280 Isaiah 56 and Isaiah 58, 00:04:54.280 --> 00:04:57.500 we read of blessing that is promised to the people. 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:02.259 Isaiah 56, verse 2, 58, 13, and 14. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:06.420 If you honor the Sabbath day by not going your own way 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:08.699 and not doing as you please 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:10.759 or speaking your own idle words, 00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:13.120 but if you call the Sabbath a delight, 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:15.719 then you shall take delight in the Lord. 00:05:16.539 --> 00:05:18.500 You shall find joy in the Lord. 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:21.439 I will make you ride on the heights of the land 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:24.939 and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob. 00:05:27.219 --> 00:05:30.019 So we might think that it's somewhat surprising then, 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:33.259 because of the great importance of the Sabbath for Israel, 00:05:33.659 --> 00:05:35.060 for the people of God of old, 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:37.439 that this psalm is the only place 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:40.100 where we find any reference in the Psalter 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:41.300 to that holy day. 00:05:43.100 --> 00:05:45.540 And more surprising still is the apparent absence 00:05:45.540 --> 00:05:47.459 of any clear reference to the Sabbath 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:49.180 in the body of the psalm. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:50.939 As we've said, it's only in the title. 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:54.860 But I think that's important. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:59.360 I think that is a remarkable testimony 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:02.879 that the Sabbath is never an end in itself. 00:06:04.839 --> 00:06:07.139 It's not something to talk about endlessly. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:11.199 The Sabbath is always a means to an end. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:15.439 It's a means to an end of time with God. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:18.740 It's a means to an end, 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:20.819 a goal of thinking about God, 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:22.439 of praising God, 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:24.500 of being renewed in the grace of God, 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:26.879 of fellowshipping with the people of God, 00:06:27.659 --> 00:06:29.680 of hearing that verdict pronounced 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:32.279 that we find from the apostles in their letters, 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:34.159 grace to you, 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:38.299 and peace from God our Father 00:06:38.299 --> 00:06:39.859 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:41.599 --> 00:06:44.339 The students are sometimes startled 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:46.199 to encounter the great importance 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:47.339 attached to this 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:49.539 and to worship generally during the Reformation. 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:53.300 When John Calvin described the problems 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:56.300 in the church that needed to be reformed 00:06:56.300 --> 00:06:57.960 according to the word of God, 00:06:58.540 --> 00:07:01.000 he put worship at the top of the list. 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:02.939 He said, 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:05.899 that belongs even ahead of the recovery 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:07.540 of the authority of the Bible, 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:09.860 even ahead of recovering 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:11.660 the right doctrine of salvation. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:15.139 Worship is the number one issue 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:16.459 of the Christian religion. 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:19.959 But he was reminding us 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:22.239 that God revealed himself in Scripture 00:07:22.239 --> 00:07:23.319 for a purpose, 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:25.819 and that our salvation 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:28.219 is not an end in itself, 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:31.079 but it is a means to an end. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:32.779 And what is the end 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:34.120 for which we are saved? 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.439 What is the purpose 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:37.299 for which God revealed himself 00:07:37.299 --> 00:07:38.120 in his word? 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:40.219 It is the worship of God. 00:07:42.099 --> 00:07:44.099 And what is the worship of God? 00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:48.040 It is God meeting with his people. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:52.100 So this psalm, Psalm 92, 00:07:52.820 --> 00:07:54.280 a great psalm of praise, 00:07:55.020 --> 00:07:57.280 a great psalm of creation and redemption, 00:07:57.820 --> 00:07:59.140 of meeting with God, 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:01.500 is particularly fitting 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:02.580 for the Sabbath day. 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:06.220 It is a gloriously God-centered psalm, 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:06.660 isn't it? 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:08.860 As we read it, 00:08:08.960 --> 00:08:10.020 we notice that it opens 00:08:10.020 --> 00:08:11.360 with giving thanks to God. 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:13.480 This is a key activity of the Sabbath 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:14.879 to praise God, 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:15.819 to thank God, 00:08:15.900 --> 00:08:17.280 to focus on God, 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.740 to thank him in prayer, 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:20.280 to praise him in song. 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:22.540 These things are critical 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:24.319 for our relationship with God. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:25.920 And then it closes 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:27.540 with blessing for the people. 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:29.700 We hear what God has done. 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:32.840 We respond in praise and thanksgiving. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.420 And God provides for us 00:08:35.420 --> 00:08:36.159 what we need. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:39.460 But at the center of this psalm, 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:40.860 Psalm 92, 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:42.279 we find verse 8. 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:45.779 Another remarkable feature 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:46.519 of this psalm, 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:48.039 this remarkable declaration 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:48.980 in verse 8, 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.539 You, O Lord, 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:52.379 are on high forever. 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:54.920 You, O Lord, 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:57.039 are exalted forever. 00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:00.920 We might ask then, 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:01.779 what is the center 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:03.860 of this Sabbath song? 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:06.039 The psalmist tells us 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:07.720 it is the exaltation 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:08.320 of the Lord. 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:11.680 Elsewhere, 00:09:11.760 --> 00:09:13.060 we read in the Psalter 00:09:13.060 --> 00:09:14.920 that God is enthroned 00:09:14.920 --> 00:09:16.280 on the praises of Israel. 00:09:17.680 --> 00:09:18.780 And this psalm addresses 00:09:18.780 --> 00:09:19.820 God as Lord, 00:09:19.960 --> 00:09:20.820 as Yahweh, 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:22.700 the great covenant name of God. 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:24.660 It addresses him 00:09:24.660 --> 00:09:25.900 as the Most High 00:09:25.900 --> 00:09:28.660 so that we can know 00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:29.640 it is this God, 00:09:29.780 --> 00:09:30.860 this God who is 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:31.820 in himself 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:33.440 high and lifted up 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:34.020 forever. 00:09:34.019 --> 00:09:36.819 He is pleased 00:09:36.819 --> 00:09:38.399 that we would exalt him 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:39.679 in our hearts 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:40.340 and minds 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.340 with our praise. 00:09:42.819 --> 00:09:43.639 And what a blessing 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:44.620 that is for us. 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:47.960 So how does this psalm then, 00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:49.319 this song for the Sabbath, 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:50.259 this celebration 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:51.079 of the Lord, 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:52.179 teach us 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:53.299 to worship 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:54.939 and exalt the Lord? 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:57.379 Well, first of all, 00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:58.139 I think this psalm 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:58.879 teaches us 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:00.759 that God is exalted 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:02.500 in the destruction 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:03.200 of the wicked. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:06.019 Somewhat a startling thing 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:07.220 to find in this psalm. 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:10.600 We might be tempted 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:11.259 to ask, 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.600 who believes in judgment? 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:17.240 Isn't that a little ridiculous? 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:20.500 A little comical. 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:22.679 A little absurd today. 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:24.439 But this psalm 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:25.159 reminds us 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:26.379 of the terrible judgment 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:27.740 that does await 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:29.379 those who reject the Lord. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:31.240 that judgment 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:31.879 is coming. 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:33.899 That the holiness 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:34.659 of God, 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:36.220 the justice of God 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.259 will be upheld. 00:10:39.179 --> 00:10:39.919 The wicked 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:40.559 may seem 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:41.179 to flourish 00:10:41.179 --> 00:10:41.899 for a time. 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.139 Evil 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:44.759 may seem 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.639 to be exalted 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:46.580 for a time. 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:48.799 All we need 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:49.120 to do 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.019 is read the newspaper 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:50.919 to see that. 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:54.440 But the day 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:55.100 is coming, 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:56.120 we need to remember, 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:57.000 when the wicked 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:57.820 will perish 00:10:57.820 --> 00:10:59.100 everlastingly. 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:02.220 verses 6 and 7 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:03.019 of this psalm. 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.340 Senseless people 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:05.179 do not know. 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:06.519 The force here 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:06.879 is really 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.059 the stupid one 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:08.939 cannot know. 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:09.759 The fool 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:10.899 cannot understand 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:11.639 that though 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.059 the wicked 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:12.799 spring up 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:13.539 like grass 00:11:13.539 --> 00:11:14.840 and all evildoers 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:15.559 flourish, 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:16.840 they are doomed 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.899 to destruction 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:18.559 forever. 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.639 Or again, 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:21.399 verse 9. 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:22.720 For surely 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.379 your enemies, 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:24.019 O Lord, 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:25.500 surely your enemies 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:26.440 shall perish. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:28.140 all evildoers 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:29.540 shall be scattered. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:32.280 So this psalm 00:11:32.280 --> 00:11:33.440 contains a solemn 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:33.880 warning. 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:36.460 And when we 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.220 praise God 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:37.840 on the Sabbath 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:38.840 for the coming 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:39.360 judgment, 00:11:40.140 --> 00:11:40.760 we remember 00:11:40.760 --> 00:11:41.480 the importance 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:43.320 of rejecting 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:44.080 worldliness 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:45.400 in order to 00:11:45.400 --> 00:11:46.160 pursue true 00:11:46.160 --> 00:11:46.720 godliness. 00:11:47.880 --> 00:11:49.020 We remember 00:11:49.020 --> 00:11:49.960 the requirements 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:51.040 laid out for us 00:11:51.040 --> 00:11:51.540 in God's 00:11:51.540 --> 00:11:52.240 holy law. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:55.320 psalm 92 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:56.000 here almost 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:56.620 seems to 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.820 review for us 00:11:57.820 --> 00:11:58.460 the familiar 00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:59.159 imagery of 00:11:59.159 --> 00:11:59.779 psalm 1, 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:01.700 of the ideal 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:02.580 of the blessed 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:03.139 man, 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.419 the blessed 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:04.940 man who 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:05.700 listens to 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:06.220 the word of 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:06.460 God, 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:07.139 who lives 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.779 the word of 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:08.039 God, 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:08.759 who loves 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.659 the word of 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:09.860 God, 00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:10.720 who meditates 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.279 on the word 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:11.700 of God 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:12.440 day and 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:12.799 night, 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:13.680 so that his 00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:14.519 heart and his 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.620 mind might be 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.659 steeped, 00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:17.860 saturated in 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.340 the word of 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:18.659 God. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.980 Because he has 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:21.899 listened to the 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.220 word, 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:23.960 he does not 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:24.539 walk in the 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:25.120 counsel of 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:25.500 the wicked. 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.500 He does not 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.159 copy the 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:28.840 behavior of 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:29.320 the sinful 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:30.360 world around 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:30.680 him. 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.720 He does not 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.180 join the 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:34.320 mockers who 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:35.000 scorn the 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.399 truth, 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.840 but he hears 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:38.919 the word and 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.879 delights in it, 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.180 and the word 00:12:41.180 --> 00:12:41.980 gives him what 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:42.639 he needs. 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:44.419 Psalm 1, 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:45.100 verse 3, 00:12:46.180 --> 00:12:47.080 he is like a 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.919 tree planted 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:48.919 by streams of 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:49.340 water, 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:50.759 yielding fruit 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.299 in season, 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:51.799 and whose 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:52.479 leaf does 00:12:52.479 --> 00:12:52.759 not 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.099 wither. 00:12:53.459 --> 00:12:53.699 Whatever 00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:54.339 he does 00:12:54.339 --> 00:12:55.019 prospers, 00:12:55.319 --> 00:12:55.819 but not 00:12:55.819 --> 00:12:56.319 so the 00:12:56.319 --> 00:12:56.559 wicked. 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:57.959 They are 00:12:57.959 --> 00:12:58.719 like chaff 00:12:58.719 --> 00:12:59.019 that the 00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.559 wind blows 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:00.000 away. 00:13:00.939 --> 00:13:01.199 Therefore, 00:13:01.339 --> 00:13:01.679 the wicked 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.240 will not 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:02.799 stand in 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:03.339 the judgment, 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.379 nor sinners 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:04.859 in the 00:13:04.859 --> 00:13:05.419 assembly of 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:05.879 the righteous. 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.039 For the 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:07.819 Lord watches 00:13:07.819 --> 00:13:08.439 over the 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:09.199 way of the 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:09.539 righteous, 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.219 but the 00:13:10.219 --> 00:13:10.719 way of the 00:13:10.719 --> 00:13:11.519 wicked will 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.000 perish. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:14.539 God is 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:14.559 so the 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:15.100 Lord 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:15.480 will not 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.179 be the 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:16.580 righteous. 00:13:16.580 --> 00:13:17.159 We praise 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:17.500 him, 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.179 this psalm 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:18.759 suggests, 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.679 for his 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.360 destruction 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.620 of the 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:21.919 wicked, 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.519 where God 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:24.480 shows himself 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:24.879 to be 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.240 holy. 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:27.919 And not 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:28.559 only holy, 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:29.539 but also a 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.299 great comfort 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:30.899 to his 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.279 people, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:33.500 because he 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.659 promises that 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.320 he is the 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:35.840 judge who 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:36.440 shall come 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.139 to set 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:37.659 all things 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:38.000 right. 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:41.659 Also, 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.179 secondly, 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:42.980 we exalt 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:43.759 God for 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.039 his 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:44.960 deliverance 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:45.279 of the 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:45.600 righteous, 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:47.899 for the 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:48.419 flourishing 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:48.819 of the 00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:49.120 righteous. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:50.779 This 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.100 psalm, 00:13:51.199 --> 00:13:51.480 again, 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:52.419 like Psalm 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:52.779 1, 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:53.679 compares the 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:54.679 righteous to 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:55.120 a healthy 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.600 tree. 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:57.860 Verses 00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:58.439 12 and 00:13:58.439 --> 00:13:58.980 13, 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.159 the righteous 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:01.200 flourish like 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:01.679 the palm 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:02.039 tree, 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.080 they grow 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:03.580 like the 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.100 cedar of 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:04.480 Lebanon, 00:14:05.299 --> 00:14:05.899 planted in 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.319 the house 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:06.620 of the 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:06.899 Lord, 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.100 they flourish 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:08.480 in the 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.000 courts of 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.620 our God. 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.379 A tree 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:12.799 that has 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:13.500 been planted, 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:16.519 that grows 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.659 because someone 00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:18.779 else has 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.659 planted the 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.100 seed, 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.059 and watered 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:22.639 the seed, 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.600 and tended 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.199 it, and 00:14:25.199 --> 00:14:26.139 cultivated it. 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:29.080 The righteous 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:30.120 are not like 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.439 fleeting grass, 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:33.179 but long 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:34.360 lasting trees. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.419 The beauty 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:37.179 of the palm 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.219 strength of 00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:38.740 the cedar, 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:39.919 near to 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:40.299 God, 00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:41.159 growing in 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:41.479 the very 00:14:41.479 --> 00:14:42.159 courts of 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:42.639 the Lord, 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:43.879 in his 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.299 temple. 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:45.379 And so we 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:45.860 are meant to 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.459 be planted, 00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:47.500 to be fixed 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.339 and rooted in 00:14:48.339 --> 00:14:48.919 the courts of 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.339 the Lord, 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:50.339 in the house 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:50.959 of God, 00:14:51.339 --> 00:14:52.159 near to the 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.399 Lord, 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:52.959 where he has 00:14:52.959 --> 00:14:53.620 made known 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.159 his holy 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:54.799 presence. 00:14:57.199 --> 00:14:57.659 Again, 00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:58.360 these moving, 00:14:59.179 --> 00:14:59.979 beautiful images, 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:00.899 the palm, 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:01.539 the cedar, 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:01.639 spirit. 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.339 These are 00:15:03.339 --> 00:15:04.459 also remarkable 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:05.599 testimonies to 00:15:05.599 --> 00:15:06.199 the abundance 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:06.919 of God. 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.339 And God 00:15:09.339 --> 00:15:10.099 also promises 00:15:10.099 --> 00:15:10.779 here that the 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:12.099 righteous shall 00:15:12.099 --> 00:15:13.259 stay vital and 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.059 productive even 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.019 into old age. 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:18.459 Verse 14, 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.679 they still bear 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:20.500 fruit in old 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:20.899 age. 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:22.360 They still 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:23.259 stay fresh 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.059 and green. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:25.639 You see, 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:26.519 it's not just 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.039 that they 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:27.599 endure. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.500 It's not just 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:29.919 that they 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:30.980 withstand the 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.879 difficulties of 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.659 this life that 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.299 would threaten 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.019 the people of 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:34.379 God. 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.240 But we are 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.899 given here a 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.740 great picture of 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:39.039 the splendor of 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:39.659 the people of 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.259 God like a 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.879 tree, rich and 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.340 plentiful, lavish, 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.759 continuing to 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.299 bear fruit, 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.480 continuing to 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:46.940 flourish. 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.259 And so there 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:50.960 is a future 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:51.899 for the people 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.399 of God. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:54.799 The wicked 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.820 sprout like 00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:56.899 grass today, 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:58.779 but in God's 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.200 time, 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.340 they are gone 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:00.799 tomorrow. 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.120 But there is a 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.720 future for the 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.519 people of God. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.899 And that's such 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:08.419 a comfort, 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:08.980 isn't it? 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.379 That there is a 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:10.720 future. 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.200 Something we need 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:13.700 to remind 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.200 ourselves. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.019 We don't always 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.759 feel that way, 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.159 do we? 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.220 We don't always 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.820 feel that we 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:20.500 have a future. 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:23.120 We can and 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.340 do know times 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.860 of trouble and 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.419 sorrow and 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.059 anguish, 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:30.059 distress and 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:30.779 discouragement. 00:16:32.119 --> 00:16:33.019 We are prone 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.679 to ask in 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.439 times of great 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.359 sadness and 00:16:35.359 --> 00:16:35.979 difficulty, 00:16:36.359 --> 00:16:37.099 where is this 00:16:37.099 --> 00:16:37.659 stability? 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.739 Where is this 00:16:39.739 --> 00:16:40.479 strength? 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.379 Where is this 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.439 peace and rest? 00:16:44.459 --> 00:16:45.079 Yes, all that 00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:45.779 sounds good, but 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:46.579 when I look around 00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:47.459 at my life, I 00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:48.119 don't see much 00:16:48.119 --> 00:16:48.599 of this. 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:50.519 peace and 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.259 peace and 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:51.320 peace. 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:51.659 But when that 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.080 is our 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:53.300 experience, we 00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:54.060 would do well to 00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:54.700 remember this 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:55.600 song for the 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.360 Sabbath, where 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.779 we read, God 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.879 is on high 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.639 forever. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.980 So when we're 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.120 feeling afflicted, 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.319 we're feeling 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.079 like things are 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.400 unstable, like 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:09.900 things are 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.640 tottering. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.440 When we're 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.380 feeling puny, 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:16.760 God says to 00:17:16.760 --> 00:17:17.420 us as his 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.840 people, don't 00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:19.680 be discouraged. 00:17:21.520 --> 00:17:22.460 I have a 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.200 future for 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.420 you. 00:17:25.040 --> 00:17:26.060 You will 00:17:26.060 --> 00:17:27.440 flourish like a 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.300 palm tree and 00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:29.100 grow like a 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:30.940 cedar, tall with 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.640 a beauty that 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.620 does not fade, 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.660 strong to 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.900 withstand distress. 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:37.360 For I have 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:38.240 planted you, 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.180 don't you see, 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.300 I have planted 00:17:40.300 --> 00:17:41.240 you in my 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:43.240 house, on my 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.920 property, you 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.980 are mine, you 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.799 are within my 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.160 temple. 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:48.900 And because I 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:49.579 have done this 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.559 for you, you 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.160 can have 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.319 confidence that 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.000 you will find 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.259 life and hope 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.319 and deliverance 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:55.700 in me. 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.819 You will not 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.759 blow away like 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.279 grass. 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.099 You will not 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.519 wither. 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.400 The source of 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:03.980 your life will 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.920 not dry up, 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:05.500 because the 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.099 source of your 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:06.799 life is not 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.660 you, but it 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.099 is God 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.640 himself. 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:09.740 It is the 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.220 Lord Jesus 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.099 Christ given 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:12.160 to you as 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.859 the water of 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:13.220 life. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:13.380 life. 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:15.940 So this 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.599 image of the 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.059 people of 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:17.680 God as a 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:18.339 tree, I 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:18.839 think, is a 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.339 particularly 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.500 appropriate image 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.019 for the 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.440 Sabbath day, for 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.120 us to meditate 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.819 on, because it 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.920 is a testimony to 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.519 our Savior. 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.380 So this 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:30.779 psalm would 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.599 teach us then to 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.160 exalt the 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.000 Lord for his 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.200 destruction of 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:36.160 the wicked, for 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:37.620 his deliverance 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.319 of the righteous, 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.380 but also, 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.920 thirdly, for the 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:41.900 declaration of 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:42.579 his character. 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:44.720 for the 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.639 declaration of 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:46.379 his character. 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.319 The psalmist 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.099 here declares 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:50.519 the steadfast 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.259 love of God 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:51.839 in the morning, 00:18:52.679 --> 00:18:52.939 and the 00:18:52.939 --> 00:18:53.679 faithfulness of 00:18:53.679 --> 00:18:54.639 God by night, 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.419 verse 2. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.299 God has 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.079 loved his 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:58.639 own from 00:18:58.639 --> 00:18:59.519 eternity, the 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.119 mystery of 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:01.480 redemption, and 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:01.960 will ever 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.699 continue to 00:19:02.699 --> 00:19:03.419 love and care 00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:03.879 for them. 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.119 And because he 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:06.000 loves them, he 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.759 is always 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:08.039 faithful to his 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.559 promises. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:08.759 promises. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.139 He is 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:10.759 completely 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.859 reliable and 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.659 worthy of all 00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:13.179 praise. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.759 And he has a 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.720 purpose to 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.679 save, to 00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:17.639 deliver, and 00:19:17.639 --> 00:19:18.359 he will not 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:18.759 fail. 00:19:20.679 --> 00:19:21.440 He is the 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:22.039 God of great 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.819 power, bringing 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.599 all creation 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.319 into being. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:26.899 He is the 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:27.619 God of great 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:29.259 authority, redeeming 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.119 his people from 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:30.500 Egypt. 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.839 The God of great 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.859 purpose, making 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.740 men and women in 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:35.579 his image, and 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.579 renewing his law 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.279 for his people 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.379 at Mount Sinai. 00:19:38.659 --> 00:19:39.039 He is the 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:39.559 God of great 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.359 promise, who 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.159 meets with his 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:42.019 people, to 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.639 dwell with 00:19:42.639 --> 00:19:43.240 them, to 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.519 sustain them, to 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.199 bring them to 00:19:45.199 --> 00:19:45.759 flourish. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.819 And he is 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:50.240 perfectly holy in 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.720 all that he 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.119 does. 00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:53.460 This psalm 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.439 reminds us of 00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:55.339 the character of 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:55.960 our God. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.079 Verse 15, 00:19:58.439 --> 00:19:59.019 the righteous 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.220 will proclaim, 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.480 the Lord is 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:03.159 upright, he is 00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:04.960 my rock, and 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.619 there is no 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:06.399 wickedness. 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:08.319 No unrighteousness 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:08.980 in him. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.419 God's character 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:12.299 here is to be a 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.480 great comfort for 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.059 his people. 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.619 We are to set 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.500 before our eyes 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.439 not what the 00:20:17.439 --> 00:20:18.579 changing course of 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.259 the world would 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:21.240 bring, not the 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:22.139 calamity that we 00:20:22.139 --> 00:20:23.179 might face in this 00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:25.119 present moment, not 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.740 the difficult 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.980 circumstances and 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:29.379 trials of life that 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.799 are true and 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:33.579 real and can be 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:35.619 unrelenting and 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.939 can feel unbearable. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.399 But this psalm would 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.559 tell us we are to 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.899 know who our God 00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:41.379 is. 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:43.179 He is permanent. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:45.659 He is steadfast in 00:20:45.659 --> 00:20:46.019 love. 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:47.579 He is high and 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.259 lifted up. 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.399 How frequently in 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.199 the psalms are we 00:20:52.199 --> 00:20:53.239 called to remember 00:20:53.239 --> 00:20:54.679 who our God is and 00:20:54.679 --> 00:20:55.839 what he has done for 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:56.179 us? 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:59.039 I think this must be 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.699 one of the hardest 00:20:59.699 --> 00:21:01.019 things for us to do. 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:03.019 One of the hardest 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:04.079 things we have to do 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:05.559 is to remember the 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.420 character of our 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:06.799 God. 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.400 So often this slips 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.259 from our mind. 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.440 So often we lose 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.259 track of it. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.879 But it's something we 00:21:14.879 --> 00:21:16.259 never outgrow needing 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.859 to hear as 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.299 Christians. 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:21.339 So we're told again 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.259 and again throughout 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.839 all of the 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.599 scripture, aren't we? 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:25.400 Remember, do not 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:25.879 forget. 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.759 Remember, do not 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.359 forget. 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.779 I am the Lord 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:33.559 your God, merciful 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:35.420 and gracious, slow 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:37.480 to anger, abounding 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.700 in steadfast love 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.519 and faithfulness, 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:41.259 keeping steadfast love 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.059 for thousands, 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.859 forgiving iniquity and 00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:44.879 transgression and 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:46.579 sin, and I will by no 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.379 means clear the 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:47.720 guilty. 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.500 And so we are 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.500 called to confess 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:54.460 verse 5 of our 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:54.879 psalm. 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.420 How great are your 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.779 works, O Lord. 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.480 How deep, how 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.799 profound are your 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.400 thoughts. 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.559 We are to remember 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.539 again with Isaiah 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.799 that the Lord's ways 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.819 are higher than our 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.299 ways. 00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:10.740 That God's thoughts 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.920 are higher than our 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.460 thoughts. 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.359 We are called to 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.779 remember and not to 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:18.019 forget that our God 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.440 is sovereign in his 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.279 power and in his 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.980 wisdom and in his 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.420 goodness. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.500 That he has laid the 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.359 foundation of the 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.680 earth. 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:27.740 earth. 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:30.299 That he is indeed 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.400 the most high 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:32.600 enthroned forever. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.120 That he will never 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:36.019 be cast down. 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:40.180 And though we may 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:41.220 not always see the 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.120 wisdom of his 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:43.740 action, and we may 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:45.080 not always understand 00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:46.640 his purpose, we can 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.940 have this great 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.200 confidence in our 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.480 God that he is 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.940 upright in all that 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.500 he does. 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:55.120 He is my rock and 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:55.779 there is no 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:57.039 wickedness in him. 00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:00.740 We see this above 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.639 all in the face of 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.279 our Lord Jesus 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.440 Christ, don't we? 00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:06.420 How do we know 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.220 that God is 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.359 steadfast in his 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:08.779 love? 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.599 What is the work 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.420 of the Lord that 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.519 would make us glad, 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.599 that would cause us 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.299 to rejoice? 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.700 It is the work of 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.180 the Savior. 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.879 He is the blessed 00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:20.379 man of Psalm 1. 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:22.460 He is the righteous 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.619 one who brings 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:25.200 abundant life to his 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:28.120 people, who suffered 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:32.900 terribly, but in 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.799 doing so came to 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.700 know our suffering. 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.880 And in his death, he 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:39.080 destroyed the power 00:23:39.080 --> 00:23:40.759 of death, so that he 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.759 might bring us to 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.140 glory. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.180 All of this is 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:46.200 impressed on us in 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.799 this psalm. 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:48.420 When we see that 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:50.600 Psalm 92, this song 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:52.360 for the Sabbath, is 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.920 set in the mouth of 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.920 Israel's king. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.100 Verses 10 and 11, 00:23:58.560 --> 00:23:59.759 You have exalted 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:01.080 my horn like that 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:02.220 of a wild ox. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.279 Fine oils have been 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.279 poured upon me. 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.900 My eyes have seen 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.860 the defeat of my 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.680 adversaries. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.360 My ears have heard 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:11.480 the rout of my 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.400 wicked foes. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.720 And when we compare 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:17.940 these words to 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:20.600 Psalm 89, part of the 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.519 context for 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.139 understanding Psalm 92, 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.259 we read in the 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.500 middle of Psalm 89, 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.279 similarly of David, 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:31.379 You, O Lord, are the 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:32.099 glory of our 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.759 strength. 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.219 By your favor, our 00:24:34.219 --> 00:24:35.319 horn is exalted. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:37.399 I have found David, 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.399 my servant. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.779 With my holy oil, I 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:42.179 have anointed him. 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:44.379 I will crush his foes 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:46.019 before him and strike 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.219 down those who hate 00:24:47.219 --> 00:24:47.500 him. 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:49.000 My faithfulness and 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:50.220 my steadfast love 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.400 shall be with him, 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:53.000 and in my name shall 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.420 his horn be exalted. 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:59.140 But then we think 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:03.320 about Psalm 89, the end 00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:04.220 of the third book of 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.779 the Psalter. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.960 And we find that it 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.220 is about the people 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.840 of God left wondering 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:14.320 whether God's word is 00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:17.480 true, whether God has 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.560 not forgotten his 00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:21.200 promise that David's 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.340 sons will sit on 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.220 David's throne. 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:27.779 Psalm 89, verse 49, 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.779 Lord, where is your 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:31.199 steadfast love of old, 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.319 which by your 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.779 faithfulness you swore 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:35.240 to David, the king? 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.799 You see, there's a 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:38.059 terrible crisis of 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:40.240 faith there, a 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.539 crisis of the 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.659 apparent failure of 00:25:42.659 --> 00:25:43.799 the promises of God, 00:25:43.959 --> 00:25:45.579 a crisis of kingship. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.779 Where is that king? 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:50.740 Holy, exalted, 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.740 powerful, who will 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.680 lead the people of 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.680 God in praise. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.299 You think of 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.420 Deuteronomy 17. 00:25:57.920 --> 00:26:00.019 The king is to be a 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.639 guide for the people. 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.359 He is to order his 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.240 life in the kingdom 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.200 according to the word 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.639 of God. 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:07.059 Where is that king? 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:10.079 Well, who is that king 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.740 who is to lead the 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.799 praise for the people 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.720 on the Sabbath day? 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:16.559 Who is the answer to 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:18.120 the crisis of Psalm 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:18.500 89? 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:20.120 Who is the king who 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.339 brings rest to his 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:21.740 people? 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.059 Who defeats the 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:24.299 adversary and brings 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.380 peace with God? 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.700 It is the Lord Jesus 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.779 Christ, isn't it? 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:30.940 He is the son of David. 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.539 He is the true king of 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:32.960 Israel. 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.279 He himself declared, 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.500 Hebrews 10, 7, 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:38.339 Behold, I have come to 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.860 do your will, O Lord. 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:43.599 He alone offers perfect 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.599 praise to God. 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:48.439 He alone is Lord of the 00:26:48.439 --> 00:26:48.740 Sabbath. 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:52.439 And this psalm would call 00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:53.899 us to draw our strength 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.379 from him. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.759 Now, it's sometimes 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.319 suggested that Jesus, 00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:01.619 as Lord of the 00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:03.679 Sabbath, abolished the 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:05.579 Sabbath because it was a 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.439 purely Mosaic 00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:07.319 institution. 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:09.740 But as we've seen, 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.539 the Old Testament 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.919 sees the Sabbath 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:13.720 first as a command of 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.299 creation. 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:17.119 Command which is 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:19.240 repeated by 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.779 Moses, 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.639 but not 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:23.279 instituted by 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.759 Moses. 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.599 There remains a 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:27.039 holy day in the 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.539 new covenant. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.279 The Lord's day is a 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.399 special day belonging 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:32.059 to God. 00:27:34.659 --> 00:27:36.159 We think of 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:37.380 Revelation 1.10. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.140 There are many 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.120 texts we could refer 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:39.340 to. 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.100 We might preach on 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:40.880 all of them tonight, 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.700 but I think you would 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.600 get weary and so 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:42.960 would I. 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.880 Psalm 1.10, at least, 00:27:45.040 --> 00:27:46.279 shows us this. 00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.340 And in the New 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:50.200 Testament, the only 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.440 day that is given any 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:53.120 special attention is 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:55.560 Sunday, the Lord's 00:27:55.560 --> 00:27:55.820 day. 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.840 The first day of the 00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.160 week. 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.340 The day of the 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:02.480 resurrection of our 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.540 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:03.659 Christ. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.480 Jesus, as Lord of 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.619 the Sabbath, has made 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:09.180 the first day, rather 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.799 than the seventh day, a 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.180 holy day for his own. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.680 From the beginning of 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:16.480 creation to Jesus, we 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.740 looked forward to the 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.079 rest that would come in 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.559 the end. 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.579 But with the coming of 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:23.019 Jesus, rest has been 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.920 won in his resurrection. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.920 And so, as the people of 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:29.139 God, we begin our week 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:30.440 with rest and worship. 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:33.660 And by doing so, we 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:35.180 anticipate already our 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:37.200 eternal rest, dwelling 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.440 with God forever in 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:38.860 glory. 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.799 Hebrews 3 and 4. 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:44.440 You see, the Sabbath is 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.600 a foretaste of that 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:46.480 eternal rest. 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:49.559 It is a day that is set 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:52.900 apart, given to us by 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:54.480 God for worship and for 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:54.860 fellowship. 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:59.799 It is a day when we 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:01.899 can turn off the lies 00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:02.559 of the world. 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:06.479 What is the greatest 00:29:06.479 --> 00:29:07.399 lie of the world? 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.959 This may be a difficult 00:29:08.959 --> 00:29:09.500 question. 00:29:10.939 --> 00:29:11.979 Surely one of the 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:12.979 greatest lies of the 00:29:12.979 --> 00:29:14.479 world we find elsewhere 00:29:14.479 --> 00:29:15.139 in the Psalter. 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:17.179 Psalm 3, verse 2. 00:29:17.679 --> 00:29:18.339 David is there 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.500 complaining against 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.719 enemies who would rise 00:29:20.719 --> 00:29:21.399 against him. 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:22.800 And he says, 00:29:23.280 --> 00:29:24.640 Many are saying of my 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:26.220 soul, there is no 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.700 salvation for him in 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.080 God. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.880 There is no deliverance 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.500 for him. 00:29:31.780 --> 00:29:33.340 God will not deliver 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:33.680 him. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.640 What a terrible thing 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.620 it is that the world 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:38.680 shouts at us. 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.340 There is no salvation 00:29:40.340 --> 00:29:41.620 for you in God. 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:44.740 There is no deliverance 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.140 for us in God. 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.940 I think that's something 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.080 we hear all the time, 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.500 isn't it? 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.500 The world that would 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.859 mock and ridicule the 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.639 people of God. 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.359 That would crowd out the 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.359 voice of our Lord. 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.579 And so too our flesh, 00:30:03.919 --> 00:30:05.179 the sin that continues to 00:30:05.179 --> 00:30:06.639 abide within us, the doubt 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:08.099 that often grips us. 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.699 That would tell us there 00:30:10.699 --> 00:30:12.220 is no deliverance for you. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.679 And of course the 00:30:15.679 --> 00:30:16.859 temptations of the evil 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.199 one. 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:20.620 So much so tempting 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.860 us that we can wonder, 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:25.080 is there any salvation? 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:28.019 Is there any deliverance? 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:31.140 Does any of it really 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:31.539 matter? 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.640 Yes, I go to church on 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:35.980 Sunday. 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:37.180 Does any of it really 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.559 matter? 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:42.539 God says to us in this 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:44.359 psalm, this song for the 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.799 Sabbath, he says, the 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:47.460 Sabbath is the day when 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:49.179 you gather before me so 00:30:49.179 --> 00:30:50.460 that I can tell you my 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:53.359 gospel, that I can preach 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:54.779 to you good news. 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:57.659 It's news that you cannot 00:30:57.659 --> 00:30:59.079 find anywhere else. 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:01.720 It's news that you keep 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.299 forgetting. 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:06.059 But I will keep on telling 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:08.000 you again and again and 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.559 again, because of my 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:11.460 steadfast love, because of 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:13.359 my faithfulness, because of 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:15.220 my covenant promises, I 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:17.299 declare to you, yes, there 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:19.899 is salvation for you in me. 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:23.480 Yes, there is deliverance 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.980 for you in my son. 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:29.099 He is the one whom I gave 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:30.419 for the salvation of the 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.740 world. 00:31:32.300 --> 00:31:33.840 And it is his resurrection 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:35.279 and life that you 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.620 celebrate on the Sabbath 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.000 day. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.940 And so isn't it wonderful 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:44.019 then that God gave us the 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:45.700 Sabbath as a day to 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:47.640 rejuvenate us, to restore 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:49.440 us, so that we might be 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.820 renewed in God. 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:54.279 And even in this psalm here, 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.660 we're reminded that God 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:57.880 gives it to us because we 00:31:57.880 --> 00:31:59.480 are tired from the labor of 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.180 our hands. 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:05.240 We're reminded that we are 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.960 freed here from the burden 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.900 of our hands, from the 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:10.420 work of our hands, from the 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:12.220 concern, from the struggle, 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:14.000 from the anxiety of our 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.920 hands, of our six days of 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.220 labor. 00:32:17.340 --> 00:32:19.480 We are called away from our 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:22.700 work to rest in God's work, 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:25.539 to delight in the work of 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.080 our Lord. 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.139 Lord. 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:30.179 Those of you who listen 00:32:30.179 --> 00:32:31.299 carefully will have seen 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.699 that verse 2 teaches us 00:32:32.699 --> 00:32:33.819 there's to be a morning and 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.759 an evening service. 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:39.559 Well, maybe not exactly. 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:43.319 But it does say to declare 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:45.019 your steadfast love in the 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:46.799 morning and your faithfulness 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.359 by night. 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:49.599 It is the whole day that 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.919 belongs to God, is the 00:32:50.919 --> 00:32:51.240 point. 00:32:51.439 --> 00:32:52.639 The morning belongs to the 00:32:52.639 --> 00:32:52.839 Lord. 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:54.519 The evening belongs to the 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:54.779 Lord. 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:56.799 And that pattern of 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:58.079 scripture, of morning and 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:59.959 evening devotion to God, the 00:32:59.959 --> 00:33:01.139 whole day is His. 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:03.719 It is a great help to us. 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:05.899 It is a great blessing to us 00:33:05.899 --> 00:33:07.679 that we might keep the 00:33:07.679 --> 00:33:09.079 Sabbath day, that we might be 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:10.799 refreshed by our Savior. 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:14.559 When we know what God 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:18.339 promises, that He says, I 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.579 will meet with you. 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:22.159 I will give you what you 00:33:22.159 --> 00:33:24.119 need when you are weary and 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:26.379 you are tired and you cannot 00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:27.480 bear your burdens. 00:33:28.599 --> 00:33:29.639 Where else would we go? 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.720 Think of Peter. 00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:37.240 John 6, responding to our 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.539 Lord. 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.099 You have the words of 00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:39.879 eternal life. 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.960 Where else would we go? 00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:45.000 Where else would we go? 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:50.700 So the Sabbath is to be for 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:52.440 us a day when we thank God, 00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:54.759 when we praise Him, when we 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:58.079 exalt Him for His judgment, 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.460 for His destruction of the 00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:01.700 wicked, for His deliverance 00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:03.740 of the righteous, for the 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:05.399 declaration of His character. 00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:07.720 The Sabbath is a weekly 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:10.119 reminder for us that we serve 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.960 a high and mighty, 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:14.319 lifted up, almighty God 00:34:14.319 --> 00:34:17.259 who is reliable, who will 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:19.960 judge His enemies, who will 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:22.440 prosper His people, because of 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:25.219 who He is, because of all that 00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:26.779 the Son has done for us. 00:34:28.859 --> 00:34:31.099 So Psalm 92 is a perfect 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:33.759 Sabbath psalm because it helps us 00:34:33.759 --> 00:34:35.380 to worship and praise our God. 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:40.500 may we be encouraged by this 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.059 psalm. 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:44.980 May God be pleased to make us a 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:47.400 Sabbath people who find their rest 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.160 in Christ. 00:34:49.220 --> 00:34:49.519 Amen. 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:52.260 Let us pray. 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:58.560 O Lord, our God, we thank You for 00:34:58.560 --> 00:34:59.120 Your Word. 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:02.420 We pray that we would all know the 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:04.380 blessedness of faith in our Lord 00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:07.480 Jesus Christ, the great King who is 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:10.380 even now at Your right hand, working 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:12.380 all things together for us and for 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.120 our salvation. 00:35:14.120 --> 00:35:16.200 We thank You that He will come in 00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:18.980 glory to bring us to be with You 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.440 forever. 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:22.440 Help us to know, our Father, that You 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:24.639 are indeed on high and that in 00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:26.659 Christ, Your Son, we have a mighty 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:27.079 Savior. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:30.059 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:30.960 Amen. 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.119 Amen. 00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:40.599 Will you please stand as we sing our 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:42.099 final psalm here? 00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:45.079 Psalm 93.