Young People's Group

The Lord Is Great and Greatly to Be Praised

by Mitchell Tan
July 08, 2021

OFFERING GREAT PRAISE TO A GREAT GOD

Psalm 96 is a wonderful psalm about offering praise that is truly worthy of our God. He is awesome and almighty, and He deserves to be worshipped in a great and joyous way.

“For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised”
Psalm 96:4

The Psalmist was making a call for the whole earth to give praise to our Almighty God (Psalm 96:1). They were to sing a new song to God from hearts of thanksgiving and joy. They were to bless the Lord’s name and to give honour to Him. They were also to proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. The Lord and His work of deliverance should be proclaimed to others. The Lord God deserves nothing less than great praise. Each one of us can be part of a collective effort to bring great praise to the Lord. In order to do this, we must first seek to appreciate the Lord’s greatness.

APPRECIATING THE GREATNESS OF GOD’S REIGN

“Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns’”
Psalm 96:10

Pastor wrote in the Youth Worship bulletin concerning how the Lord reigning over all things is a key theme in this psalm. The Lord God is in absolute control over everything in the world. From the beginning of time, He has always reigned. The Lord God was the One who created the heavens (Psalm 96:5). He created everything in the universe and is absolutely in control over the billions of stars and planets including earth. He is also in absolute control over the lives of people on earth. He can bring about salvation to their lives (Psalm 96:2). He can deliver them in times of great distress or difficulties. He is truly great and glorious. Let’s comprehend and appreciate His greatness.

Young people, the Lord reigns in our lives. With concerns over the Covid 19 variants and the issue of vaccination, we can trust the Lord to reign in our lives. He is in absolute control of us.

RESPONDING BY FEARING GOD AND PRAISING HIM

“He is to be feared above all gods.”
Psalm 96:4

When the Psalmist saw the greatness of God’s reign over His creation, he recognised that He is truly all-powerful and awesome. He was able to respond by fearing Him above all else. What is the fear of the Lord? It is about giving that reverence and honour that is due to Him. It is standing in awe of this great God and giving praise to Him. Fearing the Lord and worshipping Him go very much together. This was a principle taught by Moses to the people of Israel.

“You shall fear the Lord your God … He is your praise, and He is your God”
Deuteronomy 10:20-21

They were to fear the Lord by seeing that He is a great God, who is mighty and awesome, and He has done great things. He is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great God. He has done awesome things recorded in the Old Testament. He continues to do great things today in protecting us and watching over our lives. He is meant to be revered and to be our praise.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Young people, having the fear of the Lord is part of what it means to worship the Lord. When we comprehend and appreciate the awesomeness of God, there should this proper regard for the Lord and His word. A sense of special reverence for Him should be cultivated. When we have this fear of the Lord, it will cause us to live righteously and faithfully for Him. Let’s learn to fear the Lord God above all things and to offer great praise to Him as He deserves.

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