Pastor Rick Jackson
The saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words" explains the title of this message. David gives us considerably less than 3000 words in this Psalm but in it he paints three pictures that have stood the test of time. Here are three pictures that have spoken volumes to multitudes and should they fail to impress you the fault would be explained by the third picture. Before we get there let's look at the first two pictures presented to us in this Psalm.
I. THE PICTURE OF GOD [V. 1-6]
A little boy was drawing a picture and his mom asked him what he was drawing and he replied, "God." She said, "Honey, nobody knows what God looks like." He said, "They will when I get done." The Psalmist David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit shows us a much more accurate picture than any camera could take.
1. We see an awe-inspiring God [v. 1-2]
In verse one He is called "LORD" in all caps. That means it is the name "Yahweh" or, as some pronounce it, "Jehovah". It is derived from the Hebrew word "havah" meaning "to be" or "being" speaking of existence or rather, self-existence. Thus Yahweh is the eternal, self-existent One without beginning or end. (Heb. 13:8, Rev. 4:8) This is how He revealed Himself to Moses in Ex. 3:14 and how Jesus revealed Himself to the Jews in John 8:58.
In verse 2 David calls Him "My King" and "my God". Elohim is derived from two root words. "El" meaning unlimited energy, might, power , strength (Gn. 1:1) It celebrates the divine attribute known as Omnipotence. (Heb. 1:3, Ps. 19:1). "Alah" meaning "to swear". It celebrates the divine attribute of truth and activity of giving His Word. The covenant making and keeping God. (Num. 23:19, Heb. 6:17-18, Jn. 14:6, 17:17). "Elohim" is a plural noun. (Gn. 1:26, 3:22, 11:7) This fits in perfectly with the doctrine of the Trinity expounded in the O.T. and N.T. alike (Ps. 2, Mt. 28:19, II Cor. 13:14)
Here's a truth the Apostle Thomas grasped when he saw the resurrected Lord and exclaimed with the psalmist, "My Lord and my God!" (Jn. 20:28). Thomas condensed a thousand words into five English words but what a picture!
Not only an awe-inspiring God but...
2. We see a prayer-hearing God [v. 1-3]
Oh the compassion of God. Oh the grace of God. oh the goodness of God! No wonder the Bible says, [Romans 2:4] Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
And then...
3. We see a sin-hating God [v. 4-6]
Pr. 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
The next picture is...
II. THE PICTURE OF A WISE BELIEVER [V. 7-8]
1. We see a person unashamedly embracing God's mercy [v. 7a]
2. We see a person worshipping God openly [v. 7b]
3. We see a person wisely seeking God's leading [v. 8]
III. THE PICTURE OF THE UNBELIEVER [V. 9-12]
1. See the inner character of the wicked [v.9]
2. See the impending consummation of the wicked [v. 10]
3. See the only chance of the wicked [v. 11-12]
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