WEBVTT

00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:01.940
 Let's pray together.

00:00:04.600 --> 00:00:08.880
 Father, we thank you that as we come here to look at your words,

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 that we can sing that you are the God who goes before us,

00:00:14.099 --> 00:00:17.160
 the one who stands behind, the one that is by our side.

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 And so, Father, we pray that you will open your words to us,

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 that we might hear what you would have us hear from it.

00:00:26.280 --> 00:00:28.339
 We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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 In our office, we have a tradition, which I think is really very good,

00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:40.359
 of us all going out on the last Friday of the month for lunch together.

00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:44.840
 I think it's really good and healthy for the team,

00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:50.320
 particularly for the directors socialising with us mere mortals.

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 There is, however, one thing that makes it difficult.

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 In a relatively small company, we have two vegans.

00:01:01.620 --> 00:01:03.840
 Now, one of them is quite pragmatic,

00:01:04.820 --> 00:01:09.079
 and will quietly find something suitable to eat without making a fuss.

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 The other one, however, you can guarantee,

00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:16.579
 if you're sitting near to him,

00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:20.459
 he will take it as an opportunity to try and persuade you

00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:22.379
 that he's right,

00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:24.099
 that you're wrong,

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 and that ultimately,

00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:28.700
 everyone will be vegan in the future,

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 and why are we not just getting on with the agenda?

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 But that's the same with all of us.

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 People go on and on about the things they care about.

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 Whether it's Nicola Sturgeon,

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 who can't help turning every subject

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 into an excuse

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 to promote Scottish independence,

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 or whether it's the guy at work

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 who's always going on about the quality of the ingredients

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 he uses in his pop-up pizza business,

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 or John Piper,

00:01:59.579 --> 00:02:01.560
 always returning to his catchphrase of

00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:03.939
 God is most glorified in us

00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:05.859
 when we are most satisfied in him,

00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:09.840
 or Tom Wright talking about life after life after death,

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 or our own Ali Jay,

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 who unfortunately isn't here tonight,

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 talking about the persecuted church in China,

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 or Michael Ponton

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 on our complete inability

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 to comprehend the wonder of our salvation.

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 The things we care about

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 are the things that we keep coming back to

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 again and again.

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 And so it is with the Psalms.

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 Many of the Psalms begin with a call to worship.

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 On a quick scan through,

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 I found 24 of them

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 starting with an explicit command

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 to praise God

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 in the first verse.

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 That's ignoring any others

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 that get to it later on

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 or are not quite so explicit.

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 Among all the wide-ranging subjects

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 and emotions

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 the Psalms cover,

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 almost one in six of them

00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:04.680
 begin in this way.

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 Psalm 66,

00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:08.659
 shout for joy to God,

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 all the earth.

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 Psalm 95,

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 come,

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 let us sing for joy to the Lord,

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 let us shout aloud

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 to the rock of our salvation.

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 Psalm 103,

00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:21.900
 praise the Lord,

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 O my soul,

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 all my inmost being,

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 praise his holy name.

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 Psalm 136,

00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:30.400
 give thanks to the Lord,

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 for he is good,

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 his love endures forever.

00:03:34.540 --> 00:03:35.880
 Psalm 149,

00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:38.260
 sing to the Lord a new song,

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 and so on,

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 on and on.

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 And so obviously,

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 to the Psalmists,

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 this was an important subject,

00:03:47.179 --> 00:03:48.639
 such an important subject

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 that they didn't think,

00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:50.479
 yeah,

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 I've written a song about that,

00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:54.060
 I can move on to something else now.

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 They keep coming back to it

00:03:55.899 --> 00:03:56.899
 again and again.

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 Why?

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 I think the answer,

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 shocking as it may sound,

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 is this,

00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:07.060
 praise doesn't come naturally.

00:04:08.359 --> 00:04:09.139
 Praise is something

00:04:09.139 --> 00:04:09.960
 that we find

00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:11.439
 really difficult.

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 Although,

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 it's the primary thing

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 that we were made for.

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 As the Catechism says,

00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:19.180
 man's chief end

00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:20.360
 is to glorify God,

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 yet,

00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:23.000
 in our fallen state,

00:04:23.159 --> 00:04:24.339
 this side of eternity,

00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:26.779
 praise is something

00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:27.860
 we struggle with.

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 Sometimes,

00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:32.019
 yes,

00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:33.180
 it naturally,

00:04:33.419 --> 00:04:34.759
 spontaneously pours out.

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 Sometimes,

00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:37.479
 a glimpse of God's goodness,

00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:38.620
 his glory,

00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:39.859
 his majesty,

00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:40.439
 is seen,

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 and we respond spontaneously.

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 It may be in nature,

00:04:45.979 --> 00:04:46.899
 as we've sung about,

00:04:47.039 --> 00:04:48.740
 whether something spectacular,

00:04:49.799 --> 00:04:50.839
 or just a sunny day,

00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:52.579
 rare as those are.

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 It may be the actions

00:04:55.099 --> 00:04:56.019
 of a fellow human,

00:04:56.359 --> 00:04:57.500
 of another bearer

00:04:57.500 --> 00:04:58.339
 of God's image.

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 It may be something

00:05:00.299 --> 00:05:01.379
 in our circumstances,

00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:03.439
 a new job,

00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:04.859
 the birth of a child,

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 or something trivial,

00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:07.719
 like a lovely meal.

00:05:09.539 --> 00:05:10.500
 It may be some piece

00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:11.259
 of art,

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 music,

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 literature,

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 or in my case,

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 architecture.

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 Something that just,

00:05:17.719 --> 00:05:18.939
 our heart catches on

00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:20.039
 to a glimpse

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 of God's glory.

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 And then,

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 sings my soul,

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 my saviour,

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 God,

00:05:26.859 --> 00:05:27.659
 to thee.

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 And those times

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 are wonderful,

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 whether they're days,

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 months,

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 or just minutes.

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 But often,

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 it's hard.

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 We forget

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 how good God is.

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 We forget

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 all we know

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 about him.

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 We forget

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 all he has done

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 for us.

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 And we have

00:05:50.919 --> 00:05:52.139
 difficulty seeing him.

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 For now,

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 we see only

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 a reflection

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 as in a mirror.

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 the transient,

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 superficial things

00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:01.019
 of this world

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 seem to have

00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:03.660
 so much more substance.

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 They cloud our eyes.

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 They distract

00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:07.420
 our attention.

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 They capture

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 our affections.

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 And also,

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 worse than that,

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 there is still

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 that rebellious element

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 in our hearts

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 that doesn't want

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 to acknowledge

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 that we are not

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 the greatest.

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 That he

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 is worthy

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 of all praise

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 and not us.

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 And so,

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 the psalmist,

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 knowing both

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 how important it is

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 and how difficult

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 we find it,

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 repeatedly

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 return to the subject,

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 writing psalm

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 after psalm,

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 reminding us

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 to praise.

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 In fact,

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 they know

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 the struggle

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 themselves.

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 And so,

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 for instance,

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 David in Psalm 103

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 addresses the psalm

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 to his own soul.

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 He's talking

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 to himself.

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 And he's exhorting

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 himself to praise

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 because he knows

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 exactly

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 how easily

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 he forgets.

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 Praise the Lord,

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 O my soul,

00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:07.959
 all my inmost being,

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 praise his holy name,

00:07:10.919 --> 00:07:11.959
 praise the Lord,

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 O my soul,

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 and forget not

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 all his benefits.

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 I know,

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 even as I was

00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:20.860
 writing this,

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 how much

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 I was struggling

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 to focus,

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 to concentrate,

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 to be excited

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 by something

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 as important

00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:29.439
 as this.

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 To be honest,

00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:33.040
 I feel a bit

00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:33.759
 of an imposter

00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:35.180
 standing up here

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 telling you

00:07:36.340 --> 00:07:37.280
 to praise God

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 when,

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 really,

00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:39.939
 I'm not feeling it.

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 Not for any

00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:42.899
 particular reason,

00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:43.379
 just,

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 I'm not.

00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:46.100
 But that's

00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:46.720
 exactly

00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:47.600
 the point

00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:48.319
 of these psalms.

00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:49.700
 That's exactly

00:07:49.700 --> 00:07:50.140
 who they're

00:07:50.140 --> 00:07:50.600
 written to.

00:07:51.300 --> 00:07:52.260
 We don't need

00:07:52.260 --> 00:07:52.980
 something telling

00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:53.819
 us to praise God

00:07:53.819 --> 00:07:54.300
 when we feel

00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:54.700
 like it.

00:07:55.200 --> 00:07:56.180
 We do it,

00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:56.700
 naturally.

00:07:57.160 --> 00:07:58.000
 We need something

00:07:58.000 --> 00:07:58.860
 to tell us to praise

00:07:58.860 --> 00:07:59.840
 God when we don't.

00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:03.300
 As one song

00:08:03.300 --> 00:08:03.820
 says,

00:08:04.820 --> 00:08:05.860
 it doesn't depend

00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:07.040
 on the circumstance,

00:08:07.900 --> 00:08:08.540
 the strength

00:08:08.540 --> 00:08:09.220
 of my arm

00:08:09.220 --> 00:08:10.080
 or my voice.

00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:11.840
 It doesn't depend

00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:12.299
 on the way

00:08:12.299 --> 00:08:12.819
 I feel

00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:14.379
 for I've

00:08:14.379 --> 00:08:15.339
 made up my mind

00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:16.479
 and I'm going

00:08:16.479 --> 00:08:17.439
 to rejoice.

00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:20.019
 And so,

00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:20.699
 in general,

00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:22.219
 we see all

00:08:22.219 --> 00:08:23.060
 these psalms

00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:23.799
 follow a similar

00:08:23.799 --> 00:08:24.319
 structure.

00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:26.299
 They start

00:08:26.299 --> 00:08:27.439
 with an exhortation

00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:28.059
 to praise

00:08:28.059 --> 00:08:29.739
 and then they

00:08:29.739 --> 00:08:30.239
 continue

00:08:30.239 --> 00:08:31.120
 by telling us

00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:31.479
 why.

00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:33.319
 By setting out

00:08:33.319 --> 00:08:34.299
 some of the

00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:35.240
 things that we

00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:35.720
 should praise

00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:36.299
 God for.

00:08:36.959 --> 00:08:37.819
 For his character,

00:08:38.459 --> 00:08:39.259
 for his deeds.

00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:40.879
 And this psalm

00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:41.439
 is exactly

00:08:41.439 --> 00:08:41.939
 the same.

00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.179
 We see the

00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:44.799
 first three

00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:45.399
 verses

00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.059
 exhort us

00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:48.500
 to praise

00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:48.899
 God.

00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:50.879
 The next

00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:51.500
 16,

00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:52.779
 4 to

00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:53.379
 19

00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:54.860
 tell us

00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:55.240
 why.

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 And then

00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:56.899
 the final

00:08:56.899 --> 00:08:58.439
 three tell us

00:08:58.439 --> 00:08:58.980
 how we should

00:08:58.980 --> 00:08:59.620
 respond to

00:08:59.620 --> 00:08:59.960
 this.

00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:03.879
 And so,

00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:05.159
 our psalm

00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.580
 here starts

00:09:06.580 --> 00:09:07.279
 with a call

00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:08.500
 to sing

00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:09.419
 for joy

00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:09.879
 to the

00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:10.259
 Lord.

00:09:11.459 --> 00:09:12.039
 Or as some

00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:12.759
 other translations

00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:13.419
 put it,

00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:14.019
 shout,

00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:15.579
 rejoice,

00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:16.720
 exult.

00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:19.439
 Which of

00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:19.980
 those is more

00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:20.399
 accurate?

00:09:20.959 --> 00:09:21.720
 I don't know,

00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:22.480
 but they

00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.179
 pretty much

00:09:23.179 --> 00:09:23.799
 get the same

00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:24.559
 concept.

00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:27.459
 That we

00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:28.000
 have to bring

00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:28.600
 praise

00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:29.740
 joyfully

00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:31.000
 to God.

00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:32.759
 But we

00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:33.279
 see that it's

00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:33.720
 a call

00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:34.759
 to you

00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:35.179
 righteous,

00:09:35.179 --> 00:09:35.359
 righteous,

00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:37.099
 to those

00:09:37.099 --> 00:09:37.519
 who seek

00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:38.019
 to follow

00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:38.459
 God.

00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.199
 Not to

00:09:40.199 --> 00:09:40.459
 those who

00:09:40.459 --> 00:09:41.099
 are perfect,

00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:42.439
 but to

00:09:42.439 --> 00:09:42.779
 those who

00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:43.279
 recognize

00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:43.799
 their weakness

00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:44.179
 and look

00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:44.699
 to God

00:09:44.699 --> 00:09:45.979
 for his

00:09:45.979 --> 00:09:46.659
 righteousness,

00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:48.099
 the righteousness

00:09:48.099 --> 00:09:49.099
 that comes

00:09:49.099 --> 00:09:49.779
 by faith.

00:09:51.259 --> 00:09:51.620
 It's

00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:52.079
 pointless

00:09:52.079 --> 00:09:52.819
 as being

00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:53.459
 in open

00:09:53.459 --> 00:09:54.379
 rebellion

00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:55.359
 against God

00:09:55.359 --> 00:09:56.500
 and singing

00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:56.959
 to him.

00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.059
 As

00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:00.539
 Salty,

00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:00.959
 the singing

00:10:00.959 --> 00:10:01.659
 song book

00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:02.019
 in the

00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:02.539
 Kids Praise

00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.259
 album that

00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:04.120
 some of

00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:04.419
 you may

00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:04.799
 remember

00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.159
 from your

00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:05.539
 childhood

00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.259
 says,

00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:08.519
 you can

00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:08.840
 sing

00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:09.259
 Christian

00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:09.779
 songs

00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:10.419
 till you're

00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:10.779
 blue in

00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:11.259
 the face,

00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:12.799
 but if

00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:13.080
 it's not

00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:13.379
 from the

00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:13.720
 heart,

00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:14.200
 it's not

00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:14.580
 praise.

00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:17.939
 But we

00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:18.720
 see also

00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:19.319
 that for

00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:19.899
 those following

00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:20.259
 God,

00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:20.639
 it's not

00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:21.279
 just possible,

00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:22.559
 but it's

00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:22.899
 fitting.

00:10:23.819 --> 00:10:24.480
 It's the

00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.100
 right and

00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:25.819
 proper thing

00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:26.580
 for them

00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:27.019
 to do.

00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:28.639
 It's not

00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.120
 just an

00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:29.840
 optional extra

00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:31.059
 for those

00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:31.379
 who like

00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:31.819
 that sort

00:10:31.819 --> 00:10:32.159
 of thing.

00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:34.580
 it's the

00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:35.240
 proper

00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:36.039
 response

00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:37.620
 of those

00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.799
 who are

00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:38.980
 the

00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:39.279
 righteous.

00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.279
 I don't

00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:42.539
 know if

00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:43.100
 there's any

00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:43.659
 particular

00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:44.299
 significance

00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:44.899
 in the

00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:45.600
 instruments

00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.279
 mentioned

00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:46.759
 in verse

00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:47.059
 two.

00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:49.799
 The

00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:50.220
 harp

00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:50.720
 and the

00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:51.319
 ten-stringed

00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:51.639
 lyre.

00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:53.500
 Maybe

00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:54.019
 one's a

00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:54.580
 simple folk

00:10:54.580 --> 00:10:55.039
 instrument

00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:55.740
 and one's

00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:56.899
 a more

00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:58.259
 complex

00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.240
 professional

00:10:59.240 --> 00:10:59.740
 instrument.

00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.319
 Maybe

00:11:01.319 --> 00:11:02.120
 one's a

00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:02.659
 strummed

00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:02.919
 rhythm

00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:03.360
 instrument

00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:03.939
 one's

00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:04.279
 more of

00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:04.399
 the

00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:04.860
 melodic

00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:05.179
 lead.

00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:07.079
 I don't

00:11:07.079 --> 00:11:07.339
 know,

00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:08.419
 but whatever

00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:09.019
 they are,

00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.120
 we're called

00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:10.559
 to use

00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.299
 everything we

00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:11.919
 have at

00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:12.480
 our disposal

00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.480
 to praise

00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:13.819
 God.

00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.279
 But then

00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:16.899
 verse three

00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:17.439
 tells us

00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:18.360
 three important

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.539
 things about

00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:20.159
 our praise.

00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:21.419
 It should

00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:21.839
 be new,

00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.100
 it should

00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:23.699
 be skilful,

00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:24.659
 and it

00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:24.899
 should be

00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:25.240
 loud.

00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:27.919
 We are to

00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:28.659
 sing a new

00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:28.959
 song.

00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:31.480
 I did

00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:32.120
 wonder about

00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:32.620
 just telling

00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:33.040
 the band

00:11:33.040 --> 00:11:34.540
 that tonight

00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:34.879
 we were

00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.680
 singing songs

00:11:35.680 --> 00:11:37.060
 that to be

00:11:37.060 --> 00:11:37.480
 written for

00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.000
 tonight we

00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.320
 would sing

00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:38.759
 them once

00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:39.040
 and never

00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:39.400
 sing them

00:11:39.400 --> 00:11:39.700
 again,

00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:41.800
 but maybe

00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:42.040
 not.

00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:45.280
 But the

00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:45.879
 important thing

00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:46.360
 here is we're

00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.120
 not to be just

00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:47.500
 going through

00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:48.040
 the motions,

00:11:49.160 --> 00:11:49.759
 but we're to

00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.160
 have something

00:11:50.160 --> 00:11:51.080
 fresh to sing

00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:51.340
 about,

00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:54.040
 something about

00:11:54.040 --> 00:11:54.560
 what we have

00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:55.780
 learnt from

00:11:55.780 --> 00:11:56.540
 God, what we

00:11:56.540 --> 00:11:57.000
 have learnt

00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:57.860
 about God.

00:11:58.940 --> 00:11:59.759
 We should

00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:01.500
 not be just

00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.320
 repeating what

00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:02.919
 was once

00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:03.679
 meaningful to

00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:05.299
 us, but is

00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:06.360
 now routine.

00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:08.519
 There is

00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:09.639
 nothing wrong

00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:10.379
 with old

00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:10.740
 songs.

00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:13.000
 Many of them

00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.539
 are wonderful.

00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.559
 I love them.

00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:17.480
 I love the

00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.139
 deep poetry

00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:19.460
 of the words,

00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.960
 the anthemic

00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.700
 tunes, how

00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:24.340
 they speak of

00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:25.159
 great truths,

00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.059
 songs, but

00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:26.759
 why are we

00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.179
 singing them?

00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.059
 Are we

00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:29.439
 singing them

00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.159
 for yesterday's

00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:31.419
 reasons or

00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:32.179
 for today's?

00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:33.699
 Are we

00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:34.159
 singing them

00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:34.879
 to recapture

00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.360
 what we

00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.719
 felt sometime

00:12:36.719 --> 00:12:37.539
 in the past

00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.620
 or are we

00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.120
 using them

00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:39.659
 to express

00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:40.299
 the reality

00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:40.980
 of today?

00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:44.100
 But then

00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:44.399
 we're to

00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.199
 play skillfully.

00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:47.639
 Praising

00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.120
 God is

00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:48.539
 something that

00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:48.860
 we have to

00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.839
 do to the

00:12:49.839 --> 00:12:50.360
 best of our

00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:50.839
 ability,

00:12:51.839 --> 00:12:53.100
 however much

00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:53.620
 or little

00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.259
 that is.

00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:56.179
 We

00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:56.759
 shouldn't be

00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.560
 half-heartedly

00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.639
 just trying to

00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.120
 get away with

00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.360
 the bare

00:12:59.360 --> 00:12:59.679
 minimum.

00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:00.539
 Yeah, that

00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:00.940
 will do for

00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:01.220
 God.

00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:03.279
 We should be

00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:03.940
 bringing God

00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:04.440
 the first

00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.000
 fruits, the

00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:05.460
 best that

00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:05.899
 we have.

00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.500
 Here we

00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.179
 have a band

00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:10.100
 of skilled

00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:11.840
 musicians who

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.379
 put a lot

00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.360
 of work into

00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:14.139
 helping us in

00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:14.580
 our worship,

00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:17.000
 and we often

00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.500
 take them for

00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:17.820
 granted.

00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.759
 We only comment

00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:20.399
 when they don't

00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:21.120
 do things quite

00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.539
 the way we'd

00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:21.960
 like them to

00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:22.159
 do.

00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:24.480
 But it's

00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:26.039
 right that

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.339
 we should

00:13:26.339 --> 00:13:27.819
 put that

00:13:27.819 --> 00:13:28.639
 much focus

00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.120
 on it,

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:31.059
 because it

00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:32.000
 is important.

00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.399
 Our worship

00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:34.159
 is for God,

00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:35.959
 and therefore

00:13:35.959 --> 00:13:36.799
 it matters.

00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:40.299
 But our

00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:40.899
 worship's not

00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:41.459
 just to be

00:13:41.459 --> 00:13:41.919
 skillful.

00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.319
 We're called

00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:43.659
 to give

00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:44.159
 loud,

00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.079
 joyful

00:13:45.079 --> 00:13:45.779
 shouts.

00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.819
 It's to be

00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:49.480
 passionate and

00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.079
 energetic.

00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:52.420
 it's all

00:13:52.420 --> 00:13:52.960
 too easy

00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.320
 to have

00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:53.879
 music

00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.660
 that's

00:13:54.660 --> 00:13:55.160
 skillful.

00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:56.759
 It's

00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.360
 perfect,

00:13:58.020 --> 00:13:58.600
 smooth,

00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.620
 polished,

00:14:00.280 --> 00:14:01.120
 but dead.

00:14:03.520 --> 00:14:04.280
 This is

00:14:04.280 --> 00:14:04.740
 something I

00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.420
 struggle with.

00:14:05.520 --> 00:14:05.860
 There is

00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:07.240
 a lot of

00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.139
 music that

00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:08.620
 I love to

00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.160
 listen to,

00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.200
 particularly

00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:12.300
 Renaissance

00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.340
 choral music,

00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.180
 music written

00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:14.700
 for the

00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:15.280
 worship of

00:14:15.280 --> 00:14:15.620
 God,

00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:17.320
 that's so

00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:18.500
 often performed

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.379
 beautifully,

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:21.080
 with exquisite

00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:21.720
 skill,

00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.000
 and lacking

00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:24.200
 any passion.

00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:27.299
 With no

00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:27.940
 sense that

00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:28.320
 the people

00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:29.019
 singing it

00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:29.759
 have any

00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.899
 idea what

00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:31.299
 they're singing

00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:31.580
 about.

00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.340
 And then

00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.379
 there's much

00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:35.820
 of modern

00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.519
 worship music

00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:36.860
 that,

00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.940
 quite frankly,

00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.519
 I don't

00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.419
 really like.

00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:44.480
 Often,

00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:44.980
 and I'm

00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.320
 sure I

00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:45.840
 sound like a

00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:46.340
 real old

00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.000
 fogey here,

00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.080
 it sounds

00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.639
 like noise.

00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:50.740
 But,

00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.019
 it's a

00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:52.820
 joyful noise

00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:53.200
 to the

00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:53.480
 Lord.

00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:55.700
 I know

00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:56.019
 what I

00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:56.540
 like,

00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.300
 but I

00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:58.660
 know what

00:14:58.660 --> 00:14:58.800
 should

00:14:58.800 --> 00:14:59.120
 better

00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.440
 worship.

00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:02.840
 And so,

00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.800
 why does

00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:05.360
 the psalmist

00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.300
 call us to

00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:06.820
 bring this

00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:07.280
 new,

00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.399
 skillful,

00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:09.200
 loud,

00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:10.639
 joyful song

00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.220
 of praise?

00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:14.240
 He gives

00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:14.620
 us the

00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:16.100
 reason in

00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.019
 verses 4

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.620
 and 5.

00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.259
 In fact,

00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:19.740
 I think

00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.560
 most of

00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:20.879
 the rest

00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.139
 of the

00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:21.500
 psalm

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.740
 is just

00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.340
 examples

00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.000
 of this

00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.680
 first reason.

00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.160
 The reason

00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:27.740
 is this.

00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:29.279
 He is

00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:29.660
 faithful.

00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:30.720
 He is

00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.200
 just.

00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:31.920
 He is

00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:32.300
 loving.

00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:32.879
 He is

00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.300
 righteous.

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.259
 His words

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.800
 are true.

00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.080
 He is a

00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:36.399
 good,

00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.720
 good God.

00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.180
 And

00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:38.779
 everything he

00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.279
 has made

00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:39.919
 is filled

00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:40.819
 with his

00:15:40.819 --> 00:15:41.259
 goodness

00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.339
 and love.

00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.299
 This is

00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:44.799
 the primary

00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:46.220
 reason that

00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:46.620
 God is

00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.139
 worthy of

00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.439
 all our

00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:47.779
 praise.

00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.740
 Not

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.360
 because of

00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.000
 anything he

00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.459
 has done,

00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:53.399
 but because

00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:53.839
 of who he

00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:54.159
 is,

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.759
 because of

00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.360
 his character.

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.639
 But we

00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:59.139
 see that

00:15:59.139 --> 00:15:59.620
 character

00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:02.000
 displayed in

00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.819
 everything that

00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.240
 he does.

00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:05.860
 We see that

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.699
 character displayed

00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:07.039
 in our

00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:08.319
 experience as

00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:08.720
 we follow

00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.000
 him.

00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.439
 both as

00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:11.019
 individuals

00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:12.139
 and as

00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.720
 a church.

00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:14.519
 As a

00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:14.899
 church,

00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:16.000
 see,

00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:16.339
 we're

00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:16.799
 celebrating

00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:17.600
 50 years

00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.159
 of God's

00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.759
 faithfulness.

00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:20.819
 As

00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:21.459
 individuals,

00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.039
 whether we've

00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.559
 been following

00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:24.120
 him for

00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.919
 80,

00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.120
 90 years

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.679
 or a

00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:26.919
 day.

00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:28.620
 As we

00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.079
 sang this

00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:29.480
 morning,

00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.120
 through many

00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:31.819
 dangers,

00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:32.980
 toils and

00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.459
 snares,

00:16:33.819 --> 00:16:35.000
 I have

00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:35.419
 already

00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:35.860
 come.

00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:37.860
 Tis grace

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.299
 has brought

00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:38.899
 me safe,

00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.600
 thus far,

00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.279
 and grace

00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.799
 will lead

00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.299
 me home.

00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:45.579
 And so

00:16:45.579 --> 00:16:46.159
 we can see

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.220
 his faithfulness,

00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:48.220
 love,

00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:49.319
 beauty,

00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.360
 in so many

00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:50.819
 things.

00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.059
 But the

00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:52.639
 psalmist wants

00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.179
 us to think

00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:53.679
 of two

00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:54.699
 particular

00:16:54.699 --> 00:16:55.519
 examples.

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:55.659
 disciples.

00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.879
 The first

00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.399
 of these

00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:02.139
 is given

00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:02.639
 in verses

00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.980
 6 to

00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.259
 9.

00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.420
 And it's

00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:06.799
 the same

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.559
 reason that

00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.500
 Peter brought

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.019
 to us

00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.160
 from Psalm

00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:10.900
 19 a

00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.240
 couple of

00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.680
 weeks ago.

00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:14.900
 we see

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:16.440
 here that

00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:16.740
 we should

00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.620
 praise God

00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.920
 because he

00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.220
 is the

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:19.620
 creator.

00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.200
 And

00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:22.600
 emphasis

00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:23.380
 here is

00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:23.620
 that he

00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:25.160
 created

00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.840
 by his

00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:27.220
 word.

00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.120
 He has

00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:29.620
 the power

00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.460
 and authority

00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.200
 to speak

00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.880
 a universe

00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.759
 into existence.

00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.580
 How crazy

00:17:34.580 --> 00:17:35.019
 is that?

00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:38.099
 And it's

00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:38.799
 repeated four

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.339
 times.

00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.519
 By the

00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.000
 word of

00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.500
 the Lord

00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:41.879
 were the

00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:42.539
 heavens made.

00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:43.900
 A starry

00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.619
 host by

00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:45.139
 the breath

00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:45.460
 of his

00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:45.859
 mouth.

00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.440
 Verse

00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:48.700
 9.

00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.099
 For he

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:50.059
 spoke and

00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.400
 it came

00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:50.799
 to be.

00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:51.500
 He

00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.000
 commanded

00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.639
 and it

00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:52.859
 stood

00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:53.220
 firm.

00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.299
 We see

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.460
 here an

00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:58.980
 amazing,

00:17:59.400 --> 00:17:59.799
 awesome,

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.019
 powerful God

00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.440
 that can

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.639
 just speak

00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:05.000
 and

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.740
 the

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.319
 universe

00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.380
 becomes.

00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:09.880
 Now,

00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.180
 I know

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.519
 in a

00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:10.940
 church like

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.380
 this there

00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:11.720
 will be

00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.380
 many

00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:12.880
 different

00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:13.319
 and

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.740
 probably

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.160
 strongly

00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:14.480
 held

00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:14.920
 opinions

00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.380
 on

00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.099
 the

00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:16.579
 details

00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.559
 of

00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:17.900
 when

00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.680
 and

00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:18.980
 how,

00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:19.759
 of

00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.700
 how

00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.160
 literally,

00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.460
 how

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.039
 poetically

00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.359
 we should

00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:22.660
 take the

00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:22.960
 first

00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.779
 chapters

00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:23.980
 of

00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.319
 Genesis.

00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:25.859
 And I

00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.319
 think these

00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.779
 are

00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.539
 very

00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:27.880
 important

00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.380
 questions

00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:30.140
 that

00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:31.000
 actually

00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.740
 display

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.259
 quite a

00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.819
 lot of

00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.920
 things of

00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.400
 what we

00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:34.859
 think about

00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.240
 God.

00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.319
 But the

00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.959
 main focus

00:18:37.959 --> 00:18:40.279
 here is

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.039
 that it

00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.439
 did not

00:18:41.439 --> 00:18:42.619
 happen as

00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:43.059
 a result

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.679
 of some

00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:44.339
 impersonal

00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:46.079
 force or

00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:46.679
 some random

00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.319
 chance,

00:18:47.939 --> 00:18:48.479
 but at the

00:18:48.479 --> 00:18:49.679
 divine command

00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.559
 of God

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:52.439
 and that

00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.199
 it displays

00:18:53.199 --> 00:18:54.139
 the character

00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:55.279
 and nature

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:55.899
 of God.

00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.439
 When we're

00:18:59.439 --> 00:19:00.240
 interacting with

00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.899
 non-Christians

00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:01.619
 around us,

00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.740
 sometimes,

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.160
 sometimes,

00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:05.259
 it may be

00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:05.880
 appropriate

00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:07.240
 to get

00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:07.740
 into some

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.180
 of these

00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:08.859
 details,

00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.960
 as long

00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.539
 as we

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:11.980
 keep the

00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.380
 emphasis

00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:14.160
 not on

00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.640
 the when

00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.460
 or how

00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:15.980
 question,

00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.299
 but on

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.620
 the who

00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.180
 question.

00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.460
 What matters

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.380
 is not

00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.900
 that they

00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.519
 agree with

00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:22.920
 us

00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:25.279
 about the

00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.759
 details,

00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.099
 but that they

00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.539
 come to

00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.259
 acknowledge the

00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.700
 one who

00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.200
 called the

00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.920
 whole universe

00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.980
 into being.

00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.880
 I know I

00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.180
 have been

00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.820
 involved in

00:19:33.820 --> 00:19:34.320
 plenty

00:19:34.320 --> 00:19:35.360
 pointless

00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:36.259
 discussions

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:39.640
 that got

00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.300
 caught up

00:19:40.300 --> 00:19:42.320
 in scientific

00:19:42.320 --> 00:19:42.980
 details,

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.660
 that probably

00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.380
 both sides of

00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:46.960
 the conversation

00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.940
 really were out

00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.440
 of our depths

00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:48.860
 and didn't

00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.160
 know what

00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.320
 we were

00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.940
 talking about,

00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.700
 and yet,

00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.519
 they completely

00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.100
 missed the

00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:53.420
 point.

00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.300
 They got

00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:55.759
 caught up in

00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.279
 the details

00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.920
 of creation

00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.440
 and missed

00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:57.960
 the creator.

00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:02.360
 And, but

00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.019
 then verse

00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.660
 eight tells

00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.279
 us that

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.080
 when we

00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:06.860
 recognize him,

00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:08.680
 there is

00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.400
 only one

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.100
 appropriate

00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:10.700
 response.

00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:13.000
 Let all

00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.740
 the earth

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.720
 fear the

00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.039
 Lord.

00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.539
 Let all

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:16.980
 the people

00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.279
 of the

00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.640
 world

00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.300
 revere

00:20:18.300 --> 00:20:18.560
 him.

00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.060
 The only

00:20:21.060 --> 00:20:21.800
 suitable

00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.759
 response

00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:24.600
 is reverent

00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:25.720
 fear and

00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.960
 worship of

00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.539
 our awesome

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.120
 creator.

00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:30.139
 when we

00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:30.819
 recognize

00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.679
 that all

00:20:31.679 --> 00:20:32.299
 the glories

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.699
 of the

00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:32.919
 world

00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:33.619
 around us,

00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:34.839
 not just

00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.339
 the nice,

00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.000
 romantic,

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.039
 picturesque

00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.159
 parts of

00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:38.539
 creation,

00:20:38.699 --> 00:20:39.299
 but every

00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.859
 part of

00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.039
 it,

00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.419
 the air

00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.459
 we breathe,

00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.419
 our bodies,

00:20:44.199 --> 00:20:44.699
 the very

00:20:44.699 --> 00:20:45.839
 solidity of

00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.359
 objects,

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:46.899
 the fact

00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.199
 that there

00:20:47.199 --> 00:20:49.139
 is a

00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:49.379
 sheer

00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:49.859
 existence

00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.599
 of anything,

00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:52.699
 that all

00:20:52.699 --> 00:20:53.239
 of that

00:20:53.239 --> 00:20:54.079
 comes from

00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.399
 him,

00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:56.179
 then we

00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:57.539
 must worship

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.859
 him.

00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:02.819
 And so

00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.259
 then the

00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.599
 psalmist

00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.259
 continues

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.240
 on to

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.700
 the second

00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:07.319
 example of

00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:07.920
 how God's

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.579
 character is

00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:09.159
 displayed,

00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.339
 when we

00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:11.720
 see that

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:13.180
 God is

00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.599
 not just

00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.079
 creator,

00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:14.940
 but he

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.200
 is in

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.639
 control.

00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.339
 See this

00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:20.599
 in verses,

00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:23.519
 where are we,

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.519
 verses 10

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.619
 10 to

00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.119
 19,

00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.920
 basically,

00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:27.660
 it's all

00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.240
 on this

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.700
 subject,

00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:31.720
 because God

00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.500
 is not an

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.039
 absentee

00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.379
 landlord.

00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.519
 God is

00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:37.240
 not the

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.819
 watchmaker

00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.460
 who created

00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:39.039
 a wonderful

00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:39.539
 watch,

00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.420
 wound it

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.700
 up,

00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:41.599
 and left

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.759
 it to run

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.079
 on its

00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.319
 own.

00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:44.680
 God is

00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.339
 involved

00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:45.940
 with his

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.359
 creation.

00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:47.920
 He's not

00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:49.359
 just standing

00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.299
 back and

00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.839
 looking on

00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.859
 disinterestedly.

00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:54.259
 And so

00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.679
 in verses

00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:55.839
 10 to

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.419
 12,

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.839
 we're told

00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.219
 that his

00:21:58.219 --> 00:21:59.619
 plans will

00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.240
 be fulfilled.

00:22:01.959 --> 00:22:02.479
 It's sheer

00:22:02.479 --> 00:22:03.979
 arrogance to

00:22:03.979 --> 00:22:05.240
 accept that

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.119
 God is the

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.479
 almighty

00:22:06.479 --> 00:22:07.079
 creator,

00:22:08.439 --> 00:22:08.740
 and then

00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.199
 think that we

00:22:09.199 --> 00:22:09.740
 can just go

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.319
 ahead and make

00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.899
 our own

00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.419
 plans,

00:22:11.979 --> 00:22:12.719
 in spite of

00:22:12.719 --> 00:22:13.159
 him, in

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.699
 spite of

00:22:13.699 --> 00:22:14.839
 what he

00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.219
 says.

00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:18.059
 Here

00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.859
 specifically

00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:20.219
 talks about

00:22:20.219 --> 00:22:20.899
 the futility

00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:22.160
 of nations

00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:23.180
 making

00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:23.800
 godless

00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.500
 plans.

00:22:27.040 --> 00:22:28.019
 Psalm 2

00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.560
 says,

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.540
 why do

00:22:29.540 --> 00:22:30.019
 the nations

00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.759
 conspire,

00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.300
 and the

00:22:31.300 --> 00:22:32.019
 peoples plot

00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.560
 in vain?

00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.019
 The kings

00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.460
 of the earth

00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.160
 rise up,

00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:36.220
 the rulers

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.000
 band together

00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.660
 against the

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.100
 Lord and

00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:38.640
 against his

00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.060
 anointed,

00:22:39.300 --> 00:22:39.560
 saying,

00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.759
 let us

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.360
 break their

00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:42.340
 chains and

00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:42.800
 throw off

00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:44.220
 their shackles.

00:22:45.040 --> 00:22:45.759
 The one

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.780
 enthroned in

00:22:46.780 --> 00:22:47.160
 heaven

00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:48.180
 laughs.

00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.840
 the Lord

00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:51.259
 scoffs at

00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.519
 them.

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.680
 God's

00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.200
 plans,

00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:55.700
 God's

00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.140
 purposes

00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:58.220
 will be

00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:58.560
 fulfilled,

00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.480
 and those

00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.000
 who try and

00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.380
 stand in

00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:01.840
 his way

00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:03.140
 will be

00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:03.340
 pushed

00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:03.720
 aside.

00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.160
 But if

00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:06.539
 there is a

00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.180
 warning to

00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.920
 those nations

00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.860
 who would

00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.180
 try and

00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.840
 stand against

00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.240
 God,

00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.720
 the reverse

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.279
 is also

00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.580
 true.

00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:16.039
 in verse

00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.740
 12 we

00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.319
 read of

00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:17.980
 the blessing

00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:19.659
 to the

00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:20.460
 nation whose

00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.179
 God is

00:23:21.179 --> 00:23:21.659
 the Lord,

00:23:22.199 --> 00:23:22.859
 the people

00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.919
 he chose

00:23:23.919 --> 00:23:24.619
 for his

00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.139
 inheritance.

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.379
 In the

00:23:28.379 --> 00:23:28.939
 context of

00:23:28.939 --> 00:23:29.579
 the Psalms,

00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.339
 the nation

00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.939
 in question

00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:32.720
 is Israel.

00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.899
 But there

00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:35.299
 are many

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.319
 nations since

00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.299
 then who

00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:37.899
 have claimed

00:23:37.899 --> 00:23:38.980
 this position

00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.819
 for themselves.

00:23:41.179 --> 00:23:41.859
 Britain

00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:42.399
 certainly

00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:42.960
 thought,

00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.799
 it had

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.039
 that

00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.559
 position.

00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:47.880
 And many

00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.920
 in the

00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.880
 USA today

00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.740
 would claim

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.019
 it.

00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:53.039
 If you do

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.500
 an image

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.380
 search for

00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:56.279
 the nation

00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.759
 whose God

00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.079
 is the

00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.420
 Lord,

00:23:58.079 --> 00:24:00.740
 basically

00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.360
 almost

00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:01.840
 everything

00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.100
 that's

00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:02.500
 returned

00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.279
 is an

00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.620
 American

00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.200
 flag

00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.380
 with this

00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:05.840
 verse

00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.680
 emblazoned

00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.319
 across it.

00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:10.980
 One article

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.440
 I read

00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:11.960
 states,

00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.279
 Psalm 33

00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.200
 verse 12

00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.380
 may be the

00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:15.700
 most

00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.640
 misappropriated

00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.299
 verse in

00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.700
 the entire

00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.079
 Bible.

00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.380
 Question that

00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:21.840
 because there

00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.840
 are many

00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.579
 others that

00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.559
 probably could

00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.019
 compete for

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.579
 that title,

00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:28.039
 but it

00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.600
 continues,

00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.819
 there is no

00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.420
 such thing

00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.440
 as a Christian

00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:31.900
 nation.

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.500
 There is not

00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:33.860
 now,

00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.279
 nor has there

00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.779
 ever been,

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.180
 a nation on

00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.579
 earth that

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.299
 collectively

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.319
 bowed its

00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.900
 knee to the

00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.460
 lordship of

00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.240
 Jesus Christ.

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.540
 Satan,

00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.259
 who insisted

00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.880
 that Christ

00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.500
 might bow

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.000
 the knee to

00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.320
 him,

00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.500
 is the

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.160
 present ruler

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.000
 of this

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.340
 world.

00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:52.240
 And so,

00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:54.680
 if there is

00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.100
 no such

00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:56.220
 thing as a

00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.940
 Christian nation,

00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.640
 who is this

00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.120
 I'm talking

00:24:59.120 --> 00:24:59.380
 about?

00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:02.600
 I think 1 Peter

00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:03.000
 would bring

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.620
 some light

00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.140
 on this,

00:25:05.060 --> 00:25:05.640
 when it

00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.000
 says,

00:25:06.820 --> 00:25:08.400
 you are a

00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:09.040
 chosen people,

00:25:10.080 --> 00:25:10.560
 a royal

00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:11.200
 priesthood,

00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.080
 a holy

00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:12.540
 nation,

00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.620
 God's

00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:14.280
 special

00:25:14.280 --> 00:25:14.840
 possession,

00:25:15.520 --> 00:25:15.900
 that you

00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.600
 may declare

00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:17.340
 the praises

00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:17.900
 of him

00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.780
 who called

00:25:18.780 --> 00:25:19.320
 you out of

00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:19.820
 darkness

00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:20.740
 into his

00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.600
 wonderful light.

00:25:22.280 --> 00:25:23.720
 Once you

00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.260
 were not a

00:25:24.260 --> 00:25:24.500
 people,

00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:26.220
 but now you

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.180
 are the

00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:27.980
 people of

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.339
 God.

00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:29.940
 Once you

00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.259
 had not

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:30.620
 received

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.099
 mercy,

00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.259
 but now

00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.720
 you have

00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.099
 received

00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.559
 mercy.

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.120
 And further

00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.640
 down in

00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.140
 Psalm 2

00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.420
 that we

00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.140
 read earlier,

00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:39.599
 addressing

00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.079
 God's

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.779
 chosen king,

00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.460
 I will

00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:42.900
 make the

00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.360
 nations

00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:44.220
 your

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.779
 inheritance,

00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.299
 the ends

00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:46.539
 of the

00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.360
 earth your

00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:47.860
 possession.

00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.900
 No longer

00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.380
 is this

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.039
 blessing,

00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:51.700
 this promise,

00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.480
 this inheritance

00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:54.480
 attached just

00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.380
 to one

00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.440
 earthly nation,

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.660
 but to a

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.220
 kingdom which

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.440
 includes all

00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.400
 from every

00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.600
 language and

00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.440
 tribe and

00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.059
 people and

00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.100
 nation who

00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:05.400
 acknowledge that

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.400
 Jesus is

00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:06.740
 Lord.

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:10.039
 And as such,

00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.700
 just as the

00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.940
 blessing is

00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.640
 attached to

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.240
 individuals,

00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.660
 so too is the

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:15.960
 warning.

00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:18.380
 As James would

00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:18.799
 write,

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.799
 now listen,

00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.600
 you who say

00:26:21.600 --> 00:26:22.620
 today or

00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.080
 tomorrow,

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.860
 we'll go to

00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.400
 this or that

00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.740
 city,

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.779
 spend a year

00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.099
 there,

00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:26.839
 carry on

00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.460
 business and

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:27.960
 make money.

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.339
 Why?

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:29.940
 You do not

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.740
 even know

00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.079
 what will

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.839
 happen tomorrow.

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.180
 What is

00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.720
 your life?

00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:34.759
 You're a

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.180
 mist that

00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:35.779
 appears for

00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.099
 a little

00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:37.379
 while and

00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.039
 then vanishes.

00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:39.879
 Instead,

00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:40.480
 you ought to

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:40.779
 say,

00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.220
 if it is the

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.779
 Lord's will,

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:44.119
 we will live

00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:45.180
 and do this

00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.779
 or that.

00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.799
 Just to get

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.299
 this clear,

00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.059
 this does not

00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.779
 mean suffixing

00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.639
 our announcements

00:26:52.639 --> 00:26:54.379
 with DV or

00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:54.940
 God willing

00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:56.280
 and continuing

00:26:56.280 --> 00:26:56.940
 to make all

00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.300
 our plans

00:26:57.300 --> 00:26:58.000
 ignoring God.

00:26:59.520 --> 00:27:00.320
 It means

00:27:00.320 --> 00:27:01.160
 recognizing that

00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:01.740
 God's ways

00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.760
 are not our

00:27:02.760 --> 00:27:03.080
 ways,

00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:05.020
 that he is

00:27:05.020 --> 00:27:05.500
 the one that

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.100
 is in control.

00:27:08.020 --> 00:27:08.820
 Not that we

00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:09.420
 shouldn't make

00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.920
 plans,

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.420
 but that we

00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.240
 should be

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.380
 seeking to

00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:13.840
 make them

00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.520
 according to

00:27:14.520 --> 00:27:15.160
 what we know

00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:15.680
 of God's

00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:15.880
 will,

00:27:17.260 --> 00:27:17.900
 and fully

00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.740
 accepting that

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.380
 God may turn

00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:19.840
 around and

00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.140
 say,

00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.200
 no,

00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.000
 no,

00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.520
 that's not

00:27:23.520 --> 00:27:23.880
 what I've

00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.300
 planned for

00:27:24.300 --> 00:27:24.480
 you.

00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.060
 I've got

00:27:26.060 --> 00:27:26.620
 another plan.

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.120
 You thought

00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:28.680
 this was good?

00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.020
 You thought

00:27:30.020 --> 00:27:30.500
 this was the

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:30.820
 life you

00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.140
 wanted?

00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.120
 I have other

00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:33.560
 plans,

00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.480
 better plans.

00:27:36.580 --> 00:27:37.460
 You may not

00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.080
 like the sound

00:27:38.080 --> 00:27:38.440
 of them,

00:27:39.540 --> 00:27:40.400
 but trust me.

00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.259
 And so

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.600
 carrying on

00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.039
 in verses

00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.959
 13 to 17

00:27:47.959 --> 00:27:49.480
 and verses

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.579
 18 to 19,

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:52.159
 we get two

00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:52.859
 contrasting

00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.319
 pictures.

00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.619
 Both of

00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.159
 them speak

00:27:56.159 --> 00:27:56.799
 of God

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.279
 watching.

00:27:58.919 --> 00:27:59.699
 In verse

00:27:59.699 --> 00:28:00.259
 13,

00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:00.959
 we read,

00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.319
 from heaven

00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.439
 the Lord

00:28:03.439 --> 00:28:04.199
 looks down

00:28:04.199 --> 00:28:05.379
 and sees

00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:06.179
 all mankind.

00:28:07.419 --> 00:28:07.959
 From his

00:28:07.959 --> 00:28:08.839
 dwelling place

00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.519
 he watches

00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.559
 all who

00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.000
 live on

00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.279
 earth.

00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:13.799
 But in

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.399
 verse 18,

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:14.959
 we read,

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.259
 the eyes

00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.539
 of the

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.519
 Lord are

00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:17.939
 on those

00:28:17.939 --> 00:28:18.359
 who fear

00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:18.639
 him,

00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.139
 on those

00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:20.740
 whose hope

00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.519
 is in

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.579
 his unfailing

00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.059
 love.

00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:26.079
 In the

00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.799
 first passage,

00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:27.299
 God is

00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:28.500
 watching all

00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.279
 of mankind.

00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.039
 He sees,

00:28:31.699 --> 00:28:32.359
 he knows

00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:33.219
 everything that

00:28:33.219 --> 00:28:33.740
 goes on.

00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.799
 Nothing can

00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.139
 be hidden

00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:36.899
 from him.

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.219
 He knows

00:28:38.219 --> 00:28:38.859
 their hearts.

00:28:39.719 --> 00:28:40.139
 He knows

00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:40.599
 the depths

00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:40.980
 of their

00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.419
 hearts,

00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.759
 because he

00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.199
 made them.

00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:45.840
 as Psalm

00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.819
 103 says,

00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.380
 he knows

00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:47.940
 how we

00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.400
 are formed.

00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:50.039
 He remembers

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.860
 we are

00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.279
 dust.

00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.420
 But in

00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:54.799
 the second

00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.400
 passage,

00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:56.799
 God is

00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.880
 watching those

00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.299
 who fear

00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:58.580
 him.

00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.400
 And we

00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:01.840
 see here

00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:02.180
 that there's

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.920
 a huge

00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.900
 difference.

00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:06.420
 He looks

00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.000
 down on

00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.319
 mankind

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.960
 and sees

00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.799
 the futility

00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:11.160
 of the things

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.920
 they trust in

00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.660
 to save

00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:12.920
 them.

00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.960
 Verse 16,

00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.259
 no king

00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.259
 is saved

00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.660
 by the

00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.060
 size of

00:29:19.060 --> 00:29:19.519
 his army.

00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.300
 No warrior

00:29:21.300 --> 00:29:22.039
 escapes by

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.440
 his great

00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:22.960
 strength.

00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.840
 A horse

00:29:24.840 --> 00:29:25.380
 is a vain

00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:25.960
 hope for

00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.620
 deliverance.

00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:27.900
 Despite all

00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:28.340
 its great

00:29:28.340 --> 00:29:28.840
 strength,

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.320
 it cannot

00:29:29.320 --> 00:29:29.759
 save.

00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.259
 And

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.759
 even

00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.180
 today,

00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.060
 we see

00:29:36.060 --> 00:29:36.600
 rulers

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:38.039
 hoping to

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.600
 be saved

00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.580
 by their

00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:39.960
 military

00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:40.380
 might.

00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:42.300
 we

00:29:42.300 --> 00:29:42.640
 recently

00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:42.920
 saw

00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.280
 images

00:29:43.280 --> 00:29:44.320
 of

00:29:44.320 --> 00:29:44.580
 North

00:29:44.580 --> 00:29:44.940
 Korea

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.620
 parading

00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:47.420
 their

00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:47.880
 armies,

00:29:48.060 --> 00:29:48.180
 their

00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:48.680
 weapons

00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:49.600
 for all

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:49.940
 the world

00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.400
 to see.

00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:53.220
 We also

00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.460
 saw

00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:53.960
 America

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.120
 firing off

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.740
 dozens of

00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.400
 missiles at

00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.700
 Syria

00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:58.500
 and dropping

00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:58.940
 the

00:29:58.940 --> 00:30:00.260
 quite arrogantly

00:30:00.260 --> 00:30:00.680
 named

00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.240
 mother of

00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.960
 all bombs

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.540
 in

00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:03.040
 Afghanistan.

00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:05.780
 And while

00:30:05.780 --> 00:30:06.360
 we may

00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:06.960
 take a

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.360
 certain

00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:08.020
 amount of

00:30:08.020 --> 00:30:09.040
 comfort in

00:30:09.040 --> 00:30:09.600
 our nation's

00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:09.919
 army,

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:12.139
 I doubt

00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:12.619
 that that

00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.799
 really is

00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.299
 what most

00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.059
 of us are

00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.699
 trusting in

00:30:15.699 --> 00:30:16.500
 for our

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:16.980
 security.

00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.879
 But we

00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.279
 may be

00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.939
 trusting in

00:30:20.939 --> 00:30:21.599
 equally

00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.399
 futile

00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:23.019
 things.

00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.199
 Are we

00:30:25.199 --> 00:30:25.799
 trusting in

00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.919
 our income,

00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:29.719
 our pension,

00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.639
 our family,

00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.119
 our friends,

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.839
 our health?

00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:36.480
 are we

00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.099
 trusting in

00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.679
 our own

00:30:37.679 --> 00:30:38.799
 ability to

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.319
 cope with

00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.319
 whatever life

00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.819
 throws at

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.059
 us?

00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:42.480
 Are we

00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.240
 just gritting

00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.699
 our teeth

00:30:43.699 --> 00:30:44.099
 and singing

00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.579
 into the

00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:44.879
 storm,

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.359
 I will

00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:45.959
 survive?

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.000
 None of

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.500
 these things

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.039
 are secure.

00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.240
 All of

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.480
 them are

00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:52.779
 good,

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.039
 or maybe

00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.379
 good,

00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:56.339
 but none

00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.259
 can be

00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.919
 relied upon.

00:30:57.920 --> 00:31:01.120
 But for

00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:01.560
 those who

00:31:01.560 --> 00:31:02.060
 fear him,

00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.700
 for those

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.140
 who trust

00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.400
 him,

00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:05.440
 for those

00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.900
 whose hope

00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.259
 is in

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.759
 unfailing

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.240
 love of

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.860
 the Lord,

00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.180
 everything

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.539
 is different.

00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.400
 Because we

00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:14.740
 read in

00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.380
 verse 18

00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.019
 and 19,

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:17.440
 the eyes

00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:17.720
 of the

00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.559
 Lord are

00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:18.960
 on those

00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.339
 who fear

00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.639
 him,

00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:21.500
 on those

00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.220
 whose hope

00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.460
 is in

00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.339
 his unfailing

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.339
 love to

00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.960
 deliver them

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.619
 from death

00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.500
 and keep

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.019
 them alive

00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.579
 in famine.

00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.660
 Because they

00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.339
 are not

00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:32.960
 trusting in

00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.299
 what they

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.660
 have.

00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.180
 They are

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.740
 not trusting

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.079
 in their

00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.700
 own might.

00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.440
 They are

00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:37.980
 trusting in

00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.279
 God.

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:39.779
 They are

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.420
 trusting in

00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:41.119
 something,

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.819
 in someone

00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.359
 that is

00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:42.799
 secure,

00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.599
 that can

00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.099
 be trusted,

00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:46.819
 that is

00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.439
 reliable.

00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.639
 One who

00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:51.359
 Psalm 62

00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:51.980
 would tell

00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.039
 us is

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.779
 loving and

00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.399
 is strong.

00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.879
 One who

00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:58.879
 wants to

00:31:58.879 --> 00:31:59.439
 save us

00:31:59.439 --> 00:32:00.299
 from whatever

00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.839
 comes our

00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.159
 way,

00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:02.659
 but is not

00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.299
 just willing,

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.899
 but is

00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:05.279
 able,

00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.480
 is powerful

00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.740
 to save us

00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.539
 completely,

00:32:09.439 --> 00:32:10.279
 is able to

00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.899
 take us

00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:11.859
 through the

00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.419
 storms of

00:32:12.419 --> 00:32:12.740
 life,

00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.679
 whatever they

00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:14.159
 might throw

00:32:14.159 --> 00:32:14.699
 at us,

00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.879
 and to

00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.419
 take us

00:32:16.419 --> 00:32:17.619
 safely home.

00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.279
 I seem

00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.879
 to be

00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:23.439
 quoting a

00:32:23.439 --> 00:32:24.199
 lot of

00:32:24.199 --> 00:32:25.219
 old hymns

00:32:25.219 --> 00:32:25.879
 for a

00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.339
 psalm that

00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:26.779
 talks about

00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.199
 singing a

00:32:27.199 --> 00:32:27.719
 new song,

00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.319
 but as we

00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.119
 often sing,

00:32:31.199 --> 00:32:32.359
 here I

00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:32.839
 raise my

00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:33.419
 Ebenezer,

00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:35.179
 here by

00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:35.879
 thy great

00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:36.799
 help I've

00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.079
 come,

00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:38.759
 and I

00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.579
 hope by

00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:40.179
 thy good

00:32:40.179 --> 00:32:40.740
 pleasure

00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:42.699
 safely to

00:32:42.699 --> 00:32:43.299
 arrive at

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:43.599
 home.

00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:45.980
 we know

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:47.039
 he is

00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.500
 trustworthy,

00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.819
 and therefore

00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.779
 we trust

00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.000
 him.

00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.099
 And then

00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.399
 in the

00:32:55.399 --> 00:32:55.959
 final few

00:32:55.959 --> 00:32:56.339
 verses,

00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.639
 we get

00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:58.319
 three ways

00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:58.819
 of how we

00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:58.980
 should

00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.459
 respond.

00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.240
 How we

00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.399
 should

00:33:01.399 --> 00:33:02.699
 respond to

00:33:02.699 --> 00:33:03.500
 this display

00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.139
 of God's

00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:04.619
 character,

00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:05.679
 both in

00:33:05.679 --> 00:33:06.119
 his works

00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:06.740
 of creation

00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.799
 and in

00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.480
 his ongoing

00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.139
 control and

00:33:10.139 --> 00:33:10.699
 care for

00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:10.980
 it.

00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.880
 Firstly,

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.319
 in verse

00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:14.799
 20,

00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:17.080
 we wait

00:33:17.080 --> 00:33:17.460
 and hope

00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:17.819
 for the

00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.140
 Lord.

00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:19.799
 He is our

00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.360
 help and

00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:20.819
 our shield.

00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:23.259
 We wait.

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.720
 We trust

00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:25.940
 him.

00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.480
 We rely

00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.019
 on him.

00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.259
 We put

00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:29.720
 our hope

00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.120
 on him.

00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.259
 We know

00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.900
 he is

00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.340
 faithful,

00:33:33.340 --> 00:33:34.080
 and therefore

00:33:34.080 --> 00:33:35.360
 we commit

00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:36.559
 our lives,

00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.799
 our plans,

00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:38.740
 our hopes,

00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.759
 our futures

00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.559
 to him.

00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:43.980
 And then

00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.859
 verse 21,

00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:46.960
 in him

00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:47.879
 our hearts

00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:48.519
 rejoice,

00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.460
 for we

00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.359
 trust in

00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:51.900
 his holy

00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:52.279
 name.

00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:55.180
 Because we

00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.579
 trust in

00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:55.779
 him,

00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.480
 we rejoice.

00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.640
 We have

00:33:59.640 --> 00:34:00.039
 learned to

00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:00.339
 know the

00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:00.819
 wonder of

00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.460
 his character,

00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.259
 and therefore

00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:04.519
 we rejoice.

00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:08.000
 And then

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.400
 finally,

00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.300
 verse 22,

00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:11.460
 may your

00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.000
 unfailing

00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.220
 love rest

00:34:13.220 --> 00:34:13.860
 upon us,

00:34:14.060 --> 00:34:14.500
 O Lord,

00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:16.700
 even as we

00:34:16.700 --> 00:34:17.240
 put our

00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:17.820
 hope in

00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.040
 you.

00:34:19.560 --> 00:34:20.320
 We pray

00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:20.760
 to him.

00:34:22.100 --> 00:34:23.040
 Because we

00:34:23.040 --> 00:34:23.480
 have trusted

00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:23.740
 him,

00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:25.740
 because we

00:34:25.740 --> 00:34:26.240
 have put our

00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:26.580
 hope in

00:34:26.580 --> 00:34:26.820
 him,

00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:28.140
 we pray that

00:34:28.140 --> 00:34:29.180
 his unfailing

00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:30.420
 love will be

00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:30.940
 with us.

00:34:32.600 --> 00:34:33.420
 We wait

00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:33.840
 on him.

00:34:34.300 --> 00:34:34.960
 We sing our

00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.480
 praise to

00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.120
 him, and

00:34:36.120 --> 00:34:36.680
 while we

00:34:36.680 --> 00:34:37.100
 wait,

00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:38.159
 we ask

00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:38.559
 that he

00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:39.480
 will act

00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.339
 in accordance

00:34:40.339 --> 00:34:40.799
 with the

00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:41.400
 character that

00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:41.920
 he's revealed

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.599
 to us.

00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.279
 Not that he

00:34:44.279 --> 00:34:45.099
 could ever

00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.380
 be unfaithful

00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.099
 to his

00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.519
 character,

00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:48.619
 but by

00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.380
 doing so,

00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.339
 we show

00:34:50.339 --> 00:34:51.299
 our dependence

00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:51.940
 on him.

00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.980
 We ask him

00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.559
 to act,

00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.940
 and we trust

00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.519
 him to do

00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.719
 so, not

00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.299
 because of

00:34:58.299 --> 00:34:58.599
 what we

00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.980
 want, but

00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.460
 because of

00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.139
 who he

00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:01.599
 is.

00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:06.639
 will we

00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.420
 listen to

00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:07.559
 the

00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.139
 exhortation

00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:08.619
 of the

00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.000
 psalmist?

00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:11.539
 Will we

00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.199
 be those,

00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:13.259
 the

00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:13.619
 righteous,

00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.099
 who trust

00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.339
 and wait

00:35:16.339 --> 00:35:17.039
 on the

00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.400
 Lord,

00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:18.759
 and worship

00:35:18.759 --> 00:35:19.699
 him afresh,

00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:21.319
 with skill

00:35:21.319 --> 00:35:22.460
 and with

00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:22.940
 passion,

00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.799
 whether we

00:35:25.799 --> 00:35:26.299
 feel like

00:35:26.299 --> 00:35:26.779
 it or

00:35:26.779 --> 00:35:27.179
 not,

00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:30.099
 but because

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.099
 he is

00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.859
 worthy

00:35:31.859 --> 00:35:32.799
 to be

00:35:32.799 --> 00:35:33.119
 praised.

00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.219
 Thank you.