Our Sunday school lesson was on this beautiful chapter last week. Oh, the joy I have found in these beautiful words! In verses 6-9, we see one of our callings is to Praise The Lord! Hallelujah! But, is this something we do? Do we praise God daily in our private time with Him? Do we praise God publicly, openly for others to see? Verse 8 says we are to fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. The word fear here, in Hebrew, means to reverence. The last half of that verse says we are to stand in awe of Him! Just why are we to praise God? God is to be praised because He is upright! He is dependable! He has never given us one reason not to believe He is dependable. How will others ever see Christ in us if we don’t praise Him?
I looked back in one of my commentaries in my Bible, and it revealed a little nugget for me. Worship in Israel often involved “entering into history” in order to experience events as they were happening. What a history lesson, if we could ask God to help place ourselves in these events! Our comprehension would be so much greater, we would understand His reasonings so much better. I know we are not to know all, but if we ask God for wisdom, He will grant it.
In verses 3-5, we see God as our Ruler. But he is not a dictator! Look at verse 5: “He loveth righteousness and judgment—the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” The earth….tho’ the old deceiver is the prince of this world for now, the earth is still full of God’s goodness! Praise God, His goodness is not contingent on our goodness either! Verses 6 and 7 shows us the power of God, the Almighty! The sheer magnitude from these verses cannot be understood….we cannot fully understand just HOW great our God is!
Verse 6 is also a distinction between God’s religion and other ancient, world made religions. God’s is the one set up, began, created by—Himself! No other religion can make that claim! Therefore, any other religion pales in comparison! Because (v9) God has the power to set worlds in place, a fear (a reverence) for the Lord should be present. We shouldn’t look at the word “fear” in what we define it as today. Fearing the Lord is respecting Him, it is revering Him, it is recognizing Him for who He is! My personal favorite is the last part of verse 9. “and it stood fast.” Well, glory! Just like when I got saved, my salvation has stood fast! It’s never left me and never will leave me! My sins were forgiven just be simply asking Jesus to come into my heart and dwell there for my whole life. It is not a part time salvation!
Here’s our contrast. The difference in what the heathen plan is and God’s plan (v10) Who brings it to light that it is a false plan? GOD brings it to light Himself! Jesus—our sweet Jehovah is going to see His plan through, no matter what! His counsel stands forever to all (that means us!) generations! We should be shouting and thanking Him for this!
We know God’s chosen nation is Israel. He chose that people to receive His inheritance. Verse 13 says He looks down from heaven and beholds all the sons of men. I love that the words “his habitation” is used! And that God (verse 15) fashioneth their hearts alike. The word “fashioneth” is Hb-yatsar. This is the same word God used when forming man in Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Here’s a promise found in verse 18. God is ever watching, ever protecting and actively guiding His people. You may feel alone, but if you are a child of The King, honey, you will never be alone! Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear (reverence) Him! He is going to deliver us from death and keep us alive in famine! Our hearts shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in His holy name. If that don’t fill your cup and your saucer, mercy! I had just listened this morning to the Foster Sisters sing one of Kyla’s songs, “The Light”. My what a promise! You can look it up on Kyla’s Facebook page. Here’s a promise: because He is constantly looking out for us, “there’s not enough darkness to put out The Light!” He will shine forevermore!