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The Psalms 26
Introduction: 1. The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 poems, songs, and prayers, composed over a long period of time by a number of people who wrote under a variety of circumstances. 2. Because of their beginning and concluding exhortations ["Praise ye the Lord"], the last 5 psalms (146-150) are designated as "Hallelujah Psalms." 3. This lesson is a study of Psalms 149-150. 4. According to Luke 24:44, the Psalms are a part of the Old Testament Scriptures. 5. Since this is the case, we must study the Psalms carefully because they "were written for our learning" (Romans 15:4). 6. Although a tremendous amount of valuable information can be learned from the Psalms, we must "rightly divide" them as we study (2 Timothy 2:15). 7. This is especially important as we examine the ways in which God's people were exhorted to offer praise to Him in the Psalms. Discussion: I. (Psalm 149) ISRAEL IS EXHORTED TO PRAISE GOD A. After the opening exhortation, the writer called upon Israel to "sing unto the Lord a new song." 1. On a number of occasions the Israelites sang songs after their enemies were defeated. a. (Exodus 15) A song was sung after the Egyptians drowned in the Red Sea. b. (Judges 5) Deborah and Barak sang a song after defeating the Canaanites. 2. Notice how several references to military victory are made in vs.6-9. B. (vs.1c) The writer called for the Lord to be praised "in the congregation of saints." C. (vs.4) God deserves such praise because of the blessings He provides, especially "salvation." D. The writer associated "joy" with praise being offered to God (vs.2, 5). E. (vs.3) The writer called upon Israel to praise God with dancing as well as with instruments, including the timbrel and harp. II. (Psalm 150) EVERYONE IS EXHORTED TO PRAISE GOD A. After the opening exhortation, the writer called for God to be praised "in his sanctuary." B. (vs.6) This appeal is for all living beings. C. (vs.1c-2) God deserves such praise because of His power and greatness. D. (vs.3-5) The writer called for God to be praised with dancing as well as with instruments, including the trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, stringed instruments, organs, and cymbals. III. ADDITIONAL MATTERS A. The Israelites used instruments when praising God (1 Chronicles 15:16, 19, 28; 25:1, 6). B. Praising God with instruments is mentioned many times in the Psalms. 1. 81:1-2 2. 98:4-6 3. 137:2 4. 147:7 C. For those who appeal to the Psalms for authority to use instruments in worship today, they also mention offering animal sacrifices (Psalm 66:13-15). D. Are Christians to praise God with dancing and with mechanical instruments today? 1. Jesus gave His guidelines for Christian worship in John 4:23-24. 2. Christians are instructed to "sing" (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). 3. Christians are to only say and do those things authorized by Christ (Colossians 3:17). 4. We must not alter the Lord's Word in any way (Revelation 22:18-19). | ||