Attributes of God (3)
4 February 2018 PM – Psalm 145:5-7 – Psa145 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Psalm 145 is a psalm of praise to the Lord. In it, David praises various attributes or qualities of God. So far in the Psalm, we have learned that the LORD is Admirable, Praiseworthy, Great and Mighty.
Transition: This evening we will learn that the LORD is also Majestic and Awesome!
1. The LORD is Majestic!
(Psalms 145:5) “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.”
a. David said that he would “speak”
1) Let’s focus on this word for a moment.
2) The Hebrew word, of the 20 times it is found in the Bible it is translated talk (5x), meditate (5x), speak (4x), complain (2x), pray (1x), commune (1x), muse (1x), declare (1x).
3) It comes from a root word meaning “to sweep”. Thus, it is to be swept away in thought.
4) Here are a few examples:
a) (Psalms 55:17) “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”
b) (Psalms 119:148) “Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.”
c) (Proverbs 6:22) “When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.”
5) The overall idea of the word is to talk to God or talk to yourself and meditate, to be swept away in thought about God’s majesty.
b. David said he would speak or meditate on two majestic qualities of God
1) He would speak of the glorious honour of God’s majesty.
a) The word glorious speaks of something that is weighty or valuable. Thus, it is splendid or exceptional.
b) The word honour means that something is swollen in size or magnificent.
c) The word majesty means to shout out or to proclaim the splendour or prominent beauty of another.
d) David heaped words of honour on the Lord saying, “I will speak of the exceptional, magnificence of God’s splendid beauty.”
e) Of God Charles Spurgeon said, “His least is greater than man’s greatest, his lowest is higher than man’s highest.” ToD
2) David would speak of God’s wondrous works
a) The word wondrous describes that which is marvellous. These are God’s works that are distinguished from His others.
b) David has already mentioned God’s works and his mighty acts. Evidently, these wondrous works were set apart or distinguished in some special manner.
c) I find it interesting that the word is translated “too hard” in (Genesis 18:14) “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
d) The word works is noteworthy. Of the 1439 times the Hebrew word is found in the Bible, over 800 times it is translated word. It speaks primarily of the WORDS of God rather than the works of God.
e) While many of God’s works are set apart as marvellous, this is certainly true of the words of God. The Bible has one interpretation but many applications. It is full of principles for daily life. The more you read it the more you learn. It is our guide, our protection from sin, our best meditation, our lamp, our understanding and our wisdom. It is as sweet as honey, it is true from the beginning, it gives peace, and it convicts the heart.
3) God is majestically beautiful and His works marvellous.
2. The LORD is Awesome!
(Psalms 145:6) “And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.” (Psalms 145:7) “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.”
a. David noted that men will speak of the might of God’s terrible acts
1) The speakers here are men in general. Those who observe what God does will speak of His acts even if they are unbelievers.
a) Rahab and all the people of Jericho had heard how God opened the Red Sea for Israel (Josh 2:10).
b) The Philistines feared the God who smote the Egyptians with plagues (1Sa 4:8).
2) The word translated terrible refers to that which is fearful or awesome.
3) They spoke of the might of God’s terrible acts. This word means strength, fierceness, or might.
4) Many of God’s acts or deeds were fierce and terrible in nature. When people reflected on them they shuttered with fear.
5) God’s mighty terrible acts were usually acts of judgment. Examples would include:
a) The flood
b) Destruction of Sodom
c) The plagues of Egypt
d) The Egyptians killed in the Red Sea
e) Korah, Dathan and Abiram buried by a quake (Nu 16:32)
b. David then said the he would declare God’s greatness.
1) The word translated declare means to recount or relate.
2) Instead of focussing on God’s mighty terrible acts, David recounted the greatness of God.
3) We have a choice. We can see God as a fearful judge or we can focus on the many ways He is great.
a) Judgment is always fearful. It is never pleasant. Yet it is absolutely necessary.
b) God is great, even in his fearful judgments. Review God’s greatness in Psalm 145:3.
c. God’s great goodness will be abundantly remembered (v.7).
1) The word “they” speaks of men in general.
2) The words “abundantly utter” describe an overflow, a bubbling spring, or a gushing out. An artesian well is one that constantly bubbles out water because of underground pressure. That is the Psalmist’s idea here.
3) We ought to constantly be bubbling out memories of God’s great goodness. We must remember not just God’s goodness, but the greatness of His goodness. God’s great goodness is awesome! “I am so glad that Jesus loves me!” (Hymn 492) “Count your blessing” (Hymn 370)
d. Men will sing of God’s righteousness (v.7)
1) The word translated “sing” literally means to give a ringing cry in joy or praise. In the Bible it is translated sing (20x), rejoice (11x), sing aloud (4x), shout (4x), shout for joy (3x), sing for joy (2x), crieth (2x), cry out (2x), shout aloud (1x), miscellaneous (3x).
2) This does not describe a normal singing. It is a much more excited, loud, singing for joy. It is singing praise from the heart with great excitement.
3) In this case, it is singing excitedly of God’s righteousness or justness. It is proclaiming that He is always right and fair in all that He does, even when we do not fully understand.
Conclusion: When is the last time you spoke or meditated on the glorious honour of God’s majesty or on His wondrous works and words? We need to spend more time just pondering our wonderful God and what He has done and said. We also need to speak of his terrible or fearful acts, recount His greatness, bubble over with the memories of God’s goodness and sing excitedly of His righteousness.
Our lives are often focussed on work, hobbies, pleasures, and self-interests. This Psalm urges us to take time to sincerely focus on God. It will take effort and determination, but God will be praise and our souls will be enriched if we will do it.
Song: Choruses 124 & 125