Message Notes

A strong desire to praise the Lord

“Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.”   Psalm 111:1

1. The Psalmist reflected a strong desire to praise God

a. He spoke of praising God with his whole heart

b. His praise was not just an external act but one that came from within.

2. He sought to praise the Lord among His people

a. In the assembly of the upright

b. In the congregation

A deeper understanding of the great works of God

1. Through a deep study of the great works of God

“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.”   Psalm 111:2

a. The great works of God require an in-depth study

b. It would take time and effort

c. Only those who have pleasure in them would study them

2. Through the deep insights gained

a. The Psalmist discovered a far deeper way to know how great the works of God are

b. They are far greater than what we thought they were

A true appreciation of the great works of God

1. Honourable   (Psalm 111:3)

2. Glorious   (Psalm 111:3)

3. Wonderful   (Psalm 111:4)

4. Verity   (Psalm 111:7)

5. Justice   (Psalm 111:7)

Reasons for the way God’s great works are made

1. A reflection of the attributes of God

a. Righteous   (Psalm 111:3)

b. Gracious   (Psalm 111:4)

c. Compassionate   (Psalm 111:4)

d. Powerful   (Psalm 111:6)

2. For man to remember the great works

a. As part of God’s covenant promise to Israel   (Psalm 111:6)

b. The Abrahamic covenant   (Genesis 15)

c. Some of the great works that God did for Israel

i. He gave food   (Psalm 111:5)

ii. He provided water

iii. He protected them from their enemies

iv. He provided the promised land as their heritage   (Psalm 111:6)

v. He brought redemption to His people   (Psalm 111:9)

Appropriate Responses

1. Regard for the name of the Lord   (Psalm 111:9)

a. Awesome

b. Holy

2. Reverence for the Lord   (Psalm 111:10)

a. Fear of the Lord

b. To acquire wisdom and understanding

3. To praise the Lord forever   (Psalm 111:10)

a. To have this strong desire to praise with the heart

b. To continue to praise the Lord