WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.520 Hear the word of the Lord. 00:00:03.140 --> 00:00:06.520 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous. 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:09.960 ! Praise befits the upright. 00:00:09.960 --> 00:00:13.900 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre. 00:00:14.520 --> 00:00:17.700 Make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:20.179 Sing to him a new song. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:23.859 Play skillfully on the strings with loud shouts. 00:00:25.080 --> 00:00:30.440 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 00:00:31.580 --> 00:00:34.700 He loves righteousness and justice. 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:40.140 The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 00:00:41.660 --> 00:00:44.240 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:46.940 By the breath of his mouth all their hosts. 00:00:48.080 --> 00:00:50.940 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap. 00:00:51.400 --> 00:00:53.140 He puts the deeps in storehouses. 00:00:54.440 --> 00:00:55.980 Let all the earth fear the Lord. 00:00:57.040 --> 00:01:00.440 Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 00:01:01.180 --> 00:01:03.100 For he spoke, and it came to be. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:06.180 He commanded, and it stood firm. 00:01:07.460 --> 00:01:10.480 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:13.000 He frustrates the plans of the peoples. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:16.320 The counsel of the Lord stands forever. 00:01:16.840 --> 00:01:19.700 The plans of his heart to all generations. 00:01:21.460 --> 00:01:24.040 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:27.719 The people whom he has chosen as his heritage. 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:31.400 The Lord looks down from heaven. 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:34.160 He sees all the children of man. 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:40.980 From where he sits enthroned, he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth. 00:01:41.820 --> 00:01:47.500 He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:51.379 The king is not saved by his great army. 00:01:52.379 --> 00:01:55.640 A warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:00.239 The war horse is a false hope for salvation. 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:03.099 And by its great might it cannot rescue. 00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:09.079 But behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him. 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:13.439 On those who hope in his steadfast love. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:16.579 That he may deliver their soul from death. 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:19.259 And keep them alive in famine. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:22.780 Our soul waits for the Lord. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:25.699 He is our help and our shield. 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:28.679 For our heart is glad in him. 00:02:29.239 --> 00:02:31.459 Because we trust in his holy name. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:36.039 So let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:38.879 Even as we hope in you. 00:02:39.799 --> 00:02:40.379 Amen. 00:02:40.379 --> 00:02:47.419 What should the general spirit of the gathered church be like? 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:53.259 Sunday by Sunday as we gather for worship in this place or any other place. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:58.699 What is it that should prevail in the spirit of that gathering and of what we do there? 00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:04.639 Lord willing, here in just a couple of weeks we'll have a number of guests with us. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:10.399 Who either do not know the Lord or maybe have been disenfranchised for one reason or another. 00:03:10.399 --> 00:03:12.519 From Christianity and from the church. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:15.739 And as they come and as they observe our worship. 00:03:16.119 --> 00:03:17.899 What is it that should stand out? 00:03:19.579 --> 00:03:26.599 What should they leave here saying about the people who call themselves Lakeside Bible Church? 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:30.500 What should they leave here saying about our view of the Lord. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:35.259 And our view of our circumstances in light of who he is. 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:40.360 And how is that communicated in the way that we worship the Lord together. 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:47.500 Now I hope that they leave with something of an experience of this psalm. 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:55.280 Witnessing what it is to do what the psalmist calls us to do here in Psalm 33. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:04:01.759 Which is to lift our voices together in exuberant praise to God. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:09.000 This psalm is tightly linked to Psalm 32 just before it which we studied last Sunday. 00:04:09.180 --> 00:04:19.279 It's so tightly linked grammatically and in its language that there are a few ancient Hebrew manuscripts that actually merge the two psalms together as if they're one psalm. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:26.519 So that we understand that as we read them together that the blessing of being forgiven. 00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:36.019 The blessing of the forgiven one in Psalm 32 immediately leads to the corporate worship that we read about in Psalm 33. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:42.159 As all the forgiven ones sing with joy to the Lord. 00:04:42.159 --> 00:04:48.500 The one who has surrounded them with his steadfast love. 00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:53.159 And of course the heart of the song is verse 12. 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:57.319 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. 00:04:57.419 --> 00:04:58.719 Whose God is Yahweh. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:03.599 The people whom he has chosen as his heritage. 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:05.439 To be his people. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:11.180 The psalm then as a whole it's calling for all of these people. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:13.879 All of this heritage of the Lord. 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:17.479 It's calling them to joyful worship. 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:21.859 And it does it by not only saying commanding to worship. 00:05:21.859 --> 00:05:24.019 But explaining why we should. 00:05:24.579 --> 00:05:29.339 Reminding us of the blessing that it is to belong to him. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:34.439 But there's another note necessary at this point. 00:05:34.599 --> 00:05:40.319 And that is that the context of Psalm 33 is not all rainbows and roses. 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:40.519 Various places. 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:43.800 Various places. 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:46.180 In the psalm we find a people in distress. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:49.740 A people in particular need. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:54.540 At one place even saying that they are in need. 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:58.620 Waiting on deliverance even of their soul from death. 00:05:58.620 --> 00:06:00.699 And from famine. 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:03.120 In the psalm we find a people in distress. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:04.079 In the psalm we find a people in distress. 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:07.500 These blessed people who are to sing for joy to the Lord. 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:10.019 Are in a place of waiting. 00:06:12.659 --> 00:06:13.259 Hoping. 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:15.319 Trusting. 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:17.099 That he will be faithful. 00:06:18.099 --> 00:06:20.860 And that he will do all that he has promised to do. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:26.580 Which tells us that this song of joyful worship. 00:06:26.580 --> 00:06:29.900 That we're commanded to give a shout of. 00:06:30.520 --> 00:06:31.040 Here. 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:35.699 It actually transcends the circumstances of our lives. 00:06:37.520 --> 00:06:41.000 Its truths are relevant in seasons of plenty. 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:43.639 And in seasons of famine. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:48.379 The blessed state of God's people remains true. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:49.680 When life is easy. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:51.459 And when it's hard. 00:06:51.459 --> 00:06:54.780 And herein lies the true purpose of the psalm. 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:56.920 It's equipping us. 00:06:57.540 --> 00:07:00.280 It's equipping us on how to joyfully. 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:01.740 Authentically. 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:04.420 Genuinely worship the Lord. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:06.379 Not only when things are good. 00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:07.899 But maybe especially. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:10.199 When things are hard. 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:12.079 And all of that is rooted. 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:14.960 In the primary fact of the psalm. 00:07:15.100 --> 00:07:15.980 And that is. 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:19.079 We belong to him. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:21.459 We are his people. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:21.560 We are his people. 00:07:22.780 --> 00:07:24.939 As we sang at the opening song. 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:27.500 We are the sheep of his pasture. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:29.980 He feeds us. 00:07:30.780 --> 00:07:32.259 He has made us his own. 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:38.199 And that's what I hope will be the spirit of our gathered worship as God's people. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:39.199 Sunday by Sunday. 00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:40.199 Week by week. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:42.139 Whatever it is we bring together. 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:42.959 And many of us. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:43.719 And we've already heard. 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:47.120 Are bringing heavy burdens to this place today. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:49.219 That despite those burdens. 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:51.100 We might recognize the wonderful truth. 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:54.400 That together we are God's people. 00:07:55.400 --> 00:07:57.880 And there is a reason for joyful worship. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:00.260 Let's just walk through the psalm together. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:03.580 First we find a call to exuberant praise. 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.880 A call to exuberant praise. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:06.980 Look at the first three verses. 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:09.140 Shout for joy in the Lord. 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:10.140 Oh you righteous. 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:13.700 Praise befits the upright. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:15.279 It is fitting for them. 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:18.360 Give thanks to the Lord. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:19.719 With the lyre. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:21.459 Make melody to him. 00:08:21.539 --> 00:08:22.979 With the harp of ten strings. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:25.060 Sing to him a new song. 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:29.159 Not necessarily newly written or constructed. 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:33.700 But give voice to this new experience of grace. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:37.480 A fresh example of worship for the Lord's goodness. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:40.139 Play it skillfully on the strings. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:42.319 With loud shouts. 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:45.300 Now there is certainly a time for us. 00:08:45.300 --> 00:08:46.740 To be still before the Lord. 00:08:47.520 --> 00:08:49.160 As we have seen in these psalms. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:51.860 There is a time for us to lament our sufferings. 00:08:52.520 --> 00:08:55.120 There is a time for us to confess our sins. 00:08:55.259 --> 00:08:57.320 But when we get to Psalm 33. 00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:59.680 We recognize that at least at this moment. 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:01.700 This is not one of those times. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:06.300 Here the song calls for all of God's people. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:09.020 To lift a joyful shout to the Lord. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:13.080 Like an army who has just become victorious in the battle. 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:17.520 It calls for a triumphant shout of victory. 00:09:18.040 --> 00:09:18.639 Together. 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.280 In unison. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:21.840 To God. 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:24.639 As most of you are probably aware. 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:27.940 The FIFA World Cup is taking place this summer. 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:32.180 Which my understanding is that it's always a popular thing. 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:35.840 But maybe it's getting even more attention this time around. 00:09:35.900 --> 00:09:38.140 Because it's being hosted in North America. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.159 The United States. 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:42.419 Giving host to many of the matches that are taking place. 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:45.139 I've been a sports fan my whole life. 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:49.279 And I've attended a lot of sporting events across a lot of different sports. 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:55.000 But there's one thing that I've realized is somewhat unique about soccer fans. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:58.799 They are passionate about their teams. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:00.500 Passionate about their sports. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:02.720 Like many sports fans may be. 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:09.320 But that shows itself especially in the way that they sing. 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:13.080 They don't just cheer on their teams. 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:19.940 They don't just rejoice when something happens with fist raise and a shout for joy. 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:21.820 They sing their shouts. 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:23.060 They sing their joy. 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:28.260 They sing their cheering on as their team goes into the game. 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:30.759 And as they are certainly victorious. 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:36.279 They fill thousands and thousands and thousands of people filling an arena or a stadium. 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:41.879 With songs of excitement and of praise and of love for their team. 00:10:41.939 --> 00:10:43.559 And is what has just happened. 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:48.319 And this is very much what I believe the church is called to do in its gathered worship. 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:50.759 When we come to psalms like this. 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:54.259 Yes, we need songs of contemplation. 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:57.120 Yes, we need songs of lament. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:59.899 Yes, we need songs of confession. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:02.639 But we especially need the songs of joy. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:04.220 The shouts of victory. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:06.539 The shouts of deliverance. 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:15.139 The catalyst for this shout of joy is undoubtedly the forgiveness that's received in Psalm 32. 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:22.360 And we can discern that because of who it is that the psalm calls to make this shout. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:22.799 Notice. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:24.980 Shout for joy in the Lord. 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:27.740 Lord, all you righteous ones. 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:32.500 Praise befits the upright. 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:37.259 It's the community of the righteous. 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:39.659 Which here is not the sinless. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:47.360 It is not those who are truly righteous in the sense of moral uprightness in every way. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:52.220 No, it is the community of the righteous in the sense of they are forgiven. 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:56.580 It is those who are righteous by faith. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:58.320 Those who fear the Lord. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:00.360 Those who trust in his holy name. 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:07.980 This kind of exuberant praise is fitting for them because they are the redeemed. 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:10.519 They are the chosen of God. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:13.940 Because all of their sins have been forgiven. 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:18.519 And God now views them as righteous. 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:21.200 That's the catalyst. 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:24.720 They can shout because they are forgiven. 00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:27.879 Victory has been won for them. 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:31.000 And it has been applied to them. 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:34.399 But then notice the nature of the praise. 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:40.939 It's to be made in the form of skillfully played music, we're told. 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:46.460 An emphasis on what we would call congregational singing. 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:53.460 It's to be skillfully played because God is worthy of the best that we can offer. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:13:01.580 It's to highlight the congregation's voice because all of God's people are to sing their thanksgiving to God. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:11.860 So then we understand that crucial to the gathered worship of the church is joyful praise in the form of congregational singing. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:22.620 Our voices, expressions, reflecting the command to shout for joy, which means singing loudly to the Lord and to one another. 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:30.200 Demonstrating with face and hands that we are truly joyful in this song. 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:33.680 But then what is the cause of all this commotion? 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:40.100 God himself is the cause of our song. 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:44.379 He is the object of our praise. 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:48.200 He alone is the focus of our worship. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.700 Notice what it says. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:52.860 Shout for joy in the Lord. 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:57.419 Give thanks to the Lord. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:01.460 This song of praise, it's all about the Lord. 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:04.560 It's what he has done to make us his own. 00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:09.680 And we are to lift voices together in order that we might give joyful praise to him. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:14.279 Says Spurgeon, joy is the soul of praise. 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:18.159 To rejoice in temporal comforts is dangerous. 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:21.099 To rejoice in self is foolish. 00:14:22.099 --> 00:14:25.379 But to rejoice in God is heavenly. 00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:32.279 If you aren't engaged in exuberant praise when we gather for worship, 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:34.979 something's wrong. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:39.240 It's joyful worship. 00:14:39.420 --> 00:14:41.879 It's fitting for all who belong to God. 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:48.820 It's the most appropriate response to receiving his forgiveness in Christ. 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:52.519 But the song, it doesn't just command our exuberant praise. 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:54.820 It gives us reasons for it. 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:56.519 It anchors it somewhere. 00:14:56.519 --> 00:15:02.779 And the reasons given for this praise might come as something of a surprise to you. 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:09.840 The psalmist doesn't focus on how God has affected our circumstances, at least not yet. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:18.480 He grounds this shout for joy in God's character, in God's nature. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:24.460 It doesn't mean that praise for God's action is exempted. 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:27.000 Of course, that's a part of the Thanksgiving that's here. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.120 And we'll get to that eventually. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:37.720 But it is just to say that the upright, in verse 1, understand that God is worthy of worship fundamentally because of who he is. 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:41.480 All that he does is flowing out of his nature. 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:44.360 All that he does is flowing out of his character. 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:50.159 So this song of praise, at least in the beginning, it zeroes in on the character of God. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:53.379 And it highlights two aspects of that character. 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:56.980 First is God's goodness. 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:59.139 God's goodness. 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.580 Look at verses 4 and 5. 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.879 For the word of the Lord is upright. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:10.080 All his work is done in faithfulness. 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:14.840 He loves righteousness and justice. 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:21.340 The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.700 He's good. 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.960 What do we mean that he's good? 00:16:30.520 --> 00:16:37.340 We don't mean that everything he takes us through and everything he allows in our lives is good in the thing itself. 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:42.460 But that he is good and that he always does what's right. 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:48.340 That even in those places of hardship, he's faithful. 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:53.379 God's goodness is seen here in his divine perfections. 00:16:54.879 --> 00:17:01.560 Because his word is upright, we understand that he will never lie to you. 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:04.980 He will never mislead you. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:15.759 And then we see in verse 4 that all of his work, this work that's done in faithfulness, is flowing out of the uprightness of his word. 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:21.660 Since his word is upright, his work then is faithful. 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:26.759 Meaning that he accomplishes all that he says. 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:30.920 He fulfills all of his promises to his people. 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.460 He leaves nothing behind. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.960 He leaves no one behind. 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:36.100 His word is true. 00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:38.100 And his work is faithful. 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:47.039 Then we're told that in his character and in his nature, he loves righteousness and justice. 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:51.160 He always does what's right. 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:55.940 He always rewards the obedient. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:00.019 He always judges every wrong. 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:08.279 And then the crowning attribute of his goodness is seen in verse 5. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.279 It's his covenantal love. 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:12.279 It's his covenantal love. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:12.839 It's his covenantal love. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.660 Which fills the whole earth. 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.039 Steadfast love. 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.359 The earth is full of it. 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:22.480 The psalmist says. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:26.639 Meaning there's no place on earth where you can go. 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:30.379 There's no circumstance that you'll be called to endure. 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:40.320 There's no place where God's covenantal love for his people and his faithfulness toward his people is not present and active. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:48.019 There's no place in your life where his word will not be upright. 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:52.639 Where his work will not ultimately show itself faithful. 00:18:52.639 --> 00:19:03.039 Where you will not in time see that he loves righteousness and he is perfectly just in the way that he deals with sin and with sinners. 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:08.220 Why should we worship the Lord with exuberant praise? 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:11.180 The psalmist says first because he's good. 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:14.559 He's good in a way that will never be good. 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:19.619 He's good in a way that's almost impossible for us to even fully comprehend. 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:25.680 And in whatever way we can comprehend it we at least know that his word is right. 00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:27.680 His work is faithful. 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:31.119 That he loves righteousness and justice. 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:35.000 And that his covenantal love for his people is everywhere. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:38.500 And we can see it everywhere. 00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.779 But he goes on. 00:19:40.939 --> 00:19:42.839 He highlights not only God's goodness. 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:46.899 Then we get to verses 6 and 9 and he highlights God's power. 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:50.859 Particularly his creative power. 00:19:51.739 --> 00:19:52.319 Verse 6. 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:57.539 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. 00:19:57.539 --> 00:20:01.039 By the breath of his mouth. 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.440 All their hosts. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:14.200 Christians through the centuries have looked at this verse and understood this to be a shadow of what is unveiled in the mystery of God in the new covenant. 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.039 The new testament. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:28.180 Many Christians through the centuries have believed that when the apostle John in John chapter 1 writes that great opening statement about the word of God. 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:30.460 In the beginning was the word. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.339 And the word was with God. 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:34.259 And the word was God. 00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:36.420 All things were made by him. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:41.259 And there was not anything made that was not made by him. 00:20:42.600 --> 00:20:45.279 Christians have understood this to be a reflection of that. 00:20:45.340 --> 00:20:53.120 That perhaps even John was reflecting on a psalm like this one and other passages like this one when he uses the logos of God. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.800 In the beginning was the word. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:59.359 Because it is by the word of the Lord that the heavens are made. 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:02.559 But it's not only the sun. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:05.019 We see in the second part. 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:06.639 It is by the breath of his mouth. 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:08.000 All their hosts. 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:10.779 Many have connected this to the work of the spirit. 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:14.019 Even in the act of creation in the beginning. 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:17.440 And then the act of recreation and regeneration. 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:22.700 That the creative power of God is seen in the triune God. 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.600 And the triune God alone. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:30.279 What is it that Paul says in those opening passages to the Colossians? 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:33.980 He, Jesus, is the image of the invisible God. 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.500 The firstborn of all creation. 00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:38.000 By him all things were created. 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:41.000 Through him and for him. 00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:43.840 They're all held together. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.720 The psalmist goes on. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.240 In verse 7. 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:49.839 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.620 He puts the deeps in storehouses. 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:54.319 Let all the earth therefore fear the Lord. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:58.480 Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:01.120 For he spoke and it came to be. 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:04.440 He commanded and it stood firm. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:08.339 Special emphasis being given here. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.000 First in verse 6. 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:12.339 To the glory of the heavens. 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:15.400 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:17.220 By the breath of his mouth all their hosts. 00:22:17.280 --> 00:22:18.120 That's the sun. 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.220 The moon. 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:19.940 The stars. 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:22.460 The great expanse of outer space. 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:24.120 By the word of his mouth. 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:26.220 He spoke and it came to be. 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.259 Verse 7. 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:31.120 Then emphasizes another piece of creation. 00:22:31.300 --> 00:22:33.600 It's the depths of the oceans. 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:36.380 God in his power speaks. 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:38.180 And in his spoken word. 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:40.380 The waters are gathered together. 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:42.860 And then they're held in their place. 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:44.980 So that they don't venture away too far. 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.940 Verse 8. 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:51.720 We find the focus moves to the earth and to the land. 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:53.500 And all the inhabitants of the land. 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:56.160 By the word of his mouth he speaks it all. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:58.120 And when God speaks. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:00.500 His command endures. 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:04.060 And that's what we find being highlighted here. 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:06.679 Therefore all creatures. 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:08.720 Not only the redeemed. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:11.500 Are called to stand in awe of him. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:14.200 For he is the almighty God. 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:17.919 Reasons for exuberant worship begin. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:20.079 Not with our circumstances. 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:22.179 Or any effect that God may have on them. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:24.659 It begins simply with who he is. 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.379 His goodness. 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.099 And in his power. 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:31.220 Then we get to the heart of the psalm. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:37.100 The part of the psalm of which everything else in the song is kind of revolving around. 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:40.200 Verses 10 to 12. 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:42.539 The blessing of God's people. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.620 Here is this great God. 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:46.720 All powerful and all good. 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:49.279 Here are those he's chosen. 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:51.819 And their blessing of being his own. 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:55.100 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:58.400 He frustrates the plans of the peoples. 00:23:58.400 --> 00:24:01.019 The counsel of the Lord though stands forever. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:04.920 The plans of his heart to all generations. 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:09.839 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:14.839 The people whom he has chosen as his heritage. 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:20.059 Here humanity is divided into two categories. 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.920 Sorted out. 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:25.740 First in verse 10 there's the nations and the peoples. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:29.140 Notice the plural use of those nouns. 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:29.720 Nations. 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.240 Peoples. 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:36.400 Representing those who are outside of God's covenantal love. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:39.220 Those who exist outside of the covenant. 00:24:40.380 --> 00:24:43.240 If you remember back a couple of years ago when we were in Psalm 2. 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:49.200 Remember the nations there are raging against God and against his king. 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:55.240 Plotting to rid themselves of his rule and to become gods unto themselves. 00:24:55.240 --> 00:25:00.460 That is all of our nature before God's mercy comes into play. 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:04.720 But their plotting is in vain we find. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:07.980 God mocks their foolish pride. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:10.079 He laughs at them. 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:12.200 He holds them in derision. 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:18.420 And then he commissions his messianic king to come in and to destroy them in a great judgment. 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:22.279 And then we get to Psalm 3310. 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:24.100 It's these same nations. 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:25.200 These same peoples. 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:28.120 Those who are rebellious against God. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:30.480 Those who are outside of his covenant love. 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:36.279 And we're reminded here that God frustrates the rebels' plans. 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:43.240 Perhaps the psalmist had his devotions that week at the beginning and working through the book of Genesis. 00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:45.720 He highlights God in creation. 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:53.220 Perhaps here he's reflecting on God frustrating the plans of the nations at Babel. 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:56.579 And here he says God frustrates their plans. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:59.059 He brings their counsel to nothing. 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:03.460 But then another category is given in verses 11 and 12. 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:08.259 The first category people are sorted into the nations and peoples plural. 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.799 But then there's something different here. 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:14.039 Verses 11 and 12 we see the plural become a singular. 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:16.460 There is a nation. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:19.000 There is a people. 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:22.259 And we're told they're blessed. 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.000 Collectively. 00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.799 As a people. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:28.680 They're blessed. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:31.519 Which has become a significant word for us in the Psalms, hasn't it? 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:40.759 Together they are blessed just as the righteous one is blessed in Psalm 1. 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:46.799 They are blessed just as the forgiven one is blessed in Psalm 32. 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:53.720 They are the people with whom God has made his saving covenant. 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:58.000 And on whom he has set his steadfast love. 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:05.079 They are the people who are surrounded by the steadfast love of the Lord. 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:07.799 And while the counsel of the nations comes to nothing, 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:12.279 we're told that God's plans cannot possibly be thwarted. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:14.460 And what are those plans? 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:24.360 They're plans for salvation and forgiveness and redemption and life eternal for his people. 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:34.900 These plans, we understand, ultimately fulfilled in the person and in the work of Jesus Christ. 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.100 Blessed. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:40.900 And perhaps you've heard this verse quoted in verse 12. 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:42.780 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:49.200 Perhaps you've heard this quoted and applied nationally as if this was given to the U.S. of A. 00:27:49.560 --> 00:27:50.780 I love my country. 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:56.580 I'm excited along with you to celebrate its 250th birthday this week. 00:27:56.579 --> 00:28:01.220 I hate that it's on a Saturday because it's on a midweek day. 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:04.379 We get the day off and we can tell England, have fun at work today. 00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:10.599 This verse is not for any nation. 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:14.879 This verse is not for the United States. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:19.519 God has not entered into a saving covenant with the United States. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.859 It's not what this is. 00:28:22.879 --> 00:28:24.519 It's much better than that. 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:27.139 It's much broader than that. 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:34.079 In the old covenant context, this applied to the faithful within the nation of Israel. 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:42.400 In the new covenant, it applies to the true Israel, the church of Jesus Christ. 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.259 That's us. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:50.119 The church is God's blessed people. 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:54.519 And that should greatly affect the way you view it. 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:59.719 It should affect the way that you worship Sunday by Sunday. 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:05.539 It should affect the way that you love it, even in all of its flaws and its imperfections. 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:09.719 And even when you're hurt and even when you're struggling with others who belong to it, 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:11.139 it should affect this. 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:13.659 Together, we are his people. 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:18.320 Together, we belong to him. 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:20.620 We should love it. 00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:22.960 We should be faithful to it. 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:27.880 Because God himself loves it and is faithful to it. 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:40.280 Notice also that the blessing of God's people here is not stated as a reward for choosing the Lord to be the official God of the state. 00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:44.820 There are some people, Christians right now, that need this correction. 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:53.759 They are not blessed because they got together as a physical people, an ethnic people, and said, 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:56.799 we will make Yahweh our God. 00:29:56.899 --> 00:29:59.379 No, that's not why they're blessed here. 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.460 Why are they blessed? 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:08.519 They're blessed because the Lord has chosen them to be his people. 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:25.660 Because he has redeemed them from their sin, because he has made them his own heritage and his own covenantal, saving, gracious love. 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:33.940 This happiness and joy is not a reward for doing what you're supposed to do. 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:39.080 It is a gift that comes from God and from God alone. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:43.080 A gracious, gracious gift. 00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:48.940 That's why Peter can write in 1 Peter 2 that you are a chosen race. 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.840 He's writing to churches. 00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:52.940 You are a chosen race. 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.920 You are a royal priesthood. 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.820 You are a holy nation. 00:30:57.320 --> 00:30:59.860 You are a people for God's own possession. 00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:06.399 And he goes on and he says, once you were not a people, but now you're God's people. 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:09.639 And how did they become God's people? 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:17.000 Peter goes on to say, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 00:31:17.939 --> 00:31:21.419 What is the blessing of being his? 00:31:22.379 --> 00:31:28.199 It is that he has poured out his mercy on us in the forgiveness of our sins. 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:36.519 God's unthwartable plan was to save a people through forgiving their sins and adopting them as his own children. 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:42.019 And he did that by sending his own son to atone for their sins on the cross. 00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:46.679 This is the blessing of being his people. 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:49.939 It's the very heart of all of our praise. 00:31:50.439 --> 00:31:54.659 It's why we can shout for joy in the Lord at all times. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:56.279 We belong to him. 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:59.399 He has made us his own. 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:05.319 And then we continue on and we start to see that's the heart of the psalm. 00:32:05.379 --> 00:32:09.039 And now the psalmist begins to bring us back around full circle. 00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:15.459 Notice next in verses 13 to 19, we see the outworking of this blessing. 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:21.859 If we are the blessed of God, if we are blessed to be his, how does that then show itself? 00:32:21.919 --> 00:32:23.839 And he tells us here in 13 to 19. 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:26.980 The Lord looks down from heaven. 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:29.319 He sees all the children of men. 00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:36.039 From where he sits enthroned, he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth. 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:42.039 He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:45.519 Whereas, king is not saved by his great army. 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:48.399 A warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:50.700 The war horse is a false hope for salvation. 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:53.579 And by its great might, it cannot rescue. 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:57.700 But behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him. 00:32:58.500 --> 00:33:01.659 On those who hope in his steadfast love. 00:33:01.659 --> 00:33:07.920 That he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:14.400 Whereas verse 12 says we are blessed to be God's people. 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:20.680 Verses 13 to 19 describe how God works to bless us as his people. 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:29.080 And in essence, the essence of all of it is that God's character that we saw earlier in the psalm. 00:33:30.080 --> 00:33:32.460 His divine perfections and power. 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:38.860 He works them out for his glory and for our good. 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:47.220 As the song we often sing says, his glory indeed is our good. 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:49.880 And that is on full display here. 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:56.019 His goodness and his power is here applied to his people. 00:33:56.019 --> 00:34:05.079 And we get from this section that the context of God's people is God's people under immediate threat. 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:10.780 The plotting nations are seeking to harm and destroy the church. 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:18.019 But the song reminds us that almighty God who made everything by the word of his power, 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:24.659 by the word of his mouth, exercises that same power against the enemies of his own people. 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:27.480 Isn't that what he's on about here? 00:34:29.339 --> 00:34:32.059 The Lord makes it all and the Lord sees it all. 00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:35.379 He looks down from his sovereign throne. 00:34:36.259 --> 00:34:42.420 He not only observes, he knows the hearts and the actions of every creature that he's created. 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:48.819 Which means he demands from each of those creatures the righteousness that he loves. 00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:53.340 And for those who do not live in righteousness and are not righteous by faith, 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:56.700 he will love giving justice to them. 00:34:57.820 --> 00:35:00.320 It's his power and his goodness applied. 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:05.059 There's no need for God's people to fear a great army. 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:09.620 There's no need for them to fear a strong warrior. 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:15.019 There's no need for them to be in fear of a tremendous weapon. 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:20.299 None of those things can succeed apart from God's hand. 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:22.400 And he fights for his people. 00:35:23.819 --> 00:35:25.900 Whatever it is you may be going through today, 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:30.599 perhaps what you feel constantly is the anxiety of what may come. 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:36.199 This psalm is a reminder that God is for us. 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.960 He is with us. 00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:41.279 He sees where you are. 00:35:41.799 --> 00:35:44.239 He knows what you're dealing with. 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:48.119 He knows of the hearts of those who are against you. 00:35:48.819 --> 00:35:53.299 And in time, he will deliver his people in every way. 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:58.100 And we know that because he's delivered his people in the ultimate way. 00:36:02.580 --> 00:36:05.740 God's eye is on those who fear him, we're told. 00:36:07.160 --> 00:36:09.900 On those who hope in his steadfast love. 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:14.600 So for those who will recognize early in the psalm 00:36:14.600 --> 00:36:17.860 that the steadfast love fills the earth, 00:36:18.120 --> 00:36:21.240 and for those who will not hope in themselves 00:36:21.239 --> 00:36:23.799 or in anything else that they may come up with, 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:27.539 but will hope in the steadfast love of the Lord 00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:29.679 that fills the earth, 00:36:30.479 --> 00:36:31.719 God's eye is on you. 00:36:33.279 --> 00:36:34.539 His eye is on you. 00:36:35.459 --> 00:36:37.079 We're back in the toddler stage. 00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:38.659 I didn't think we'd be there, but we are. 00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:43.339 And I'm reminded at the hypervigilance 00:36:43.339 --> 00:36:46.459 that is required for parents with toddlers. 00:36:48.019 --> 00:36:50.039 And you want to give them a little space to run. 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:52.179 You want to give them a little space to play. 00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:55.739 And you want to let them learn and grow and do all the things. 00:36:57.019 --> 00:36:58.579 But you always have an eye. 00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:03.840 And it is an eye to shield, an eye to protect, 00:37:04.259 --> 00:37:08.279 and an eye to love, and an eye to help. 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:11.400 Is that not what the psalmist reminds us of here? 00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:17.360 It's not just the eye of a parent who is on us. 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:22.460 It's the eye of Almighty God who watches us 00:37:22.460 --> 00:37:27.860 so that He might love us, help us, 00:37:27.860 --> 00:37:31.800 and ultimately deliver us. 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:36.640 And of course we know that because of what He's done for us in Christ. 00:37:38.260 --> 00:37:40.900 Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:44.440 He delivers His people from sin and death. 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:47.060 Jesus Himself even says, 00:37:47.060 --> 00:37:48.900 the gates of hell itself, 00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:53.019 a reference, I think, in that context to death itself. 00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:55.740 Death itself cannot prevail 00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:58.179 against God's church, 00:37:59.019 --> 00:38:00.159 against God's people. 00:38:01.879 --> 00:38:04.419 And we're reminded that even in the hardest of moments, 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:06.419 in the hardest of trials, 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.659 He will indeed be faithful. 00:38:10.339 --> 00:38:11.859 This is why we're blessed. 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:15.439 Because all of His power and His goodness 00:38:15.439 --> 00:38:17.799 are set for our good. 00:38:18.239 --> 00:38:19.979 That He might be glorified 00:38:19.979 --> 00:38:21.739 in us. 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:25.039 And then the psalmist brings us full circle 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:26.179 all the way back to the beginning. 00:38:26.799 --> 00:38:28.299 Except notice what changes. 00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:30.899 Verses 20 to 22, 00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:33.479 we find a corporate confession of trust 00:38:33.479 --> 00:38:34.779 in the Lord. 00:38:35.839 --> 00:38:36.599 Look at it. 00:38:37.919 --> 00:38:40.000 Our soul waits for the Lord. 00:38:41.479 --> 00:38:43.359 He is our help and our shield 00:38:43.359 --> 00:38:45.759 for our heart is glad in Him 00:38:45.759 --> 00:38:48.339 because we trust in His holy name. 00:38:49.339 --> 00:38:51.439 So let your steadfast love, O Lord, 00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:52.360 be upon us 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:54.260 even as we hope in You. 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:57.720 Do you notice the change in tense here? 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:03.320 Our soul waits. 00:39:03.460 --> 00:39:05.659 This is the collective voice of God's people now. 00:39:06.740 --> 00:39:08.079 They aren't being instructed. 00:39:08.539 --> 00:39:10.019 Now they're speaking. 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:13.480 Our soul waits for the Lord. 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:16.700 He is our help. 00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:18.860 He is our shield. 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:21.720 Our heart is glad in Him. 00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:22.440 That's amazing. 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:26.160 Plural pronoun, singular noun. 00:39:27.620 --> 00:39:29.700 Our collective heart. 00:39:29.900 --> 00:39:32.220 There is a wonderful, unified, 00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:35.099 united heart in God's people 00:39:35.099 --> 00:39:38.160 focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:40.960 empowered by the Spirit of God. 00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:43.019 Together we can say, 00:39:43.019 --> 00:39:46.800 our heart is glad in Him 00:39:46.800 --> 00:39:49.239 because we trust Him 00:39:49.239 --> 00:39:52.780 and then we turn in our prayer to Him 00:39:52.780 --> 00:39:54.300 and say, 00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:56.759 so let your steadfast love, O Lord, 00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:59.320 be poured out on us 00:39:59.320 --> 00:40:03.380 as we are hoping in You 00:40:03.380 --> 00:40:04.619 and in You alone. 00:40:04.619 --> 00:40:08.219 What began as a call for exuberant praise 00:40:08.219 --> 00:40:10.259 ends here with the congregation 00:40:10.259 --> 00:40:13.380 together expressing their trust 00:40:13.380 --> 00:40:14.920 in the Lord. 00:40:15.739 --> 00:40:17.199 I hope that's the shape 00:40:17.199 --> 00:40:19.239 that our service takes Sunday by Sunday. 00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:21.699 That it takes the shape of the psalm. 00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:25.699 That it begins with a burst of exuberant praise 00:40:25.699 --> 00:40:26.759 for who God is. 00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:29.620 And that it continues there 00:40:29.620 --> 00:40:31.980 as we begin to understand more fully 00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:32.840 our own sin 00:40:32.840 --> 00:40:34.480 and confess our sin 00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:36.240 and humbly stand before Him 00:40:36.240 --> 00:40:37.500 as we're then picked up 00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:38.980 by the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:40.960 and then at the conclusion of the service 00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:43.740 we then all confess our trust in Him 00:40:43.740 --> 00:40:45.620 and receive the blessing 00:40:45.620 --> 00:40:46.900 of the benediction. 00:40:47.000 --> 00:40:48.320 Is that not what the psalm is doing? 00:40:49.460 --> 00:40:50.800 It's shaping us. 00:40:52.140 --> 00:40:53.200 Shaping the gospel. 00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:57.199 And we express all of this together 00:40:57.199 --> 00:40:59.559 Sunday by Sunday 00:40:59.559 --> 00:41:02.219 no matter what comes our way 00:41:02.219 --> 00:41:04.539 that we might shout for joy 00:41:04.539 --> 00:41:05.659 in the Lord. 00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:07.839 Because truly 00:41:07.839 --> 00:41:10.319 we are blessed 00:41:10.319 --> 00:41:11.899 to be His. 00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:13.779 Let's pray together.