Theological Proposition/Focus: The God of the universe loves us and is worthy of our praise. Homiletical Proposition/Application: The follower of Christ must turn to the God of the universe and praise him for his never-ending faithful love.

Introduction

Image: Why do we pray before a meal, we haven’t even tasted it yet?

Need: We need to be reminded that the God of love is worthy of our praise even before we know how he will provide.

Subject: Our God has done and will do so much that is worthy of our praise.

Text: Psalm 136

Preview: In Psalm 136 we are going to see four descriptors of God. He is God of gods, Compassionate Creator, Divine Deliverer, and a Redeeming Ruler but as we look at God don’t forget his loyal love.

Setting the Stage: Antiphonal (played alternating by two groups) appearing to be based on Psalm 135, full of allusions to Deuteronomy and Isaiah, and probably developed for liturgical use.

Body

God of gods: Praise the Highest, his mercy endures forever. (v.1-3)

Deuteronomy 10:17

יהוה - Our God alone is the self-existent one, the one without beginning and without end.

6823 times in the OT, The I AM – the name was sacred and a Rabbi would use אדני

אלהי אלהים - Our God alone stands above all that would otherwise make themselves gods.

אדני - Our God alone is the personal God who accepts his people.

Image: Aslan is not a tame lion.

MTR: This week we need to praise God for his mercy!

Compassionate Creator: Praise the Creator, his steadfast love endures forever. (v. 4-9)

Man seeks to understand just a hair of the universe that God created.

Man learned to depend on the seasons and cycles but the one who made them is more dependable.

Image: The changing world in which we live.

MTR: This week we need to praise God for his immutability!

Divine Deliverer: Praise he God of the Exodus, his loyal love endures forever. (v. 10-22)

The same God who was loyal to his people in delivering them from Egypt is loyal to you.

The same God who gave Israel victory in the promised land is loyal to you.

Sihon and Og were two kings that Israel defeated in Numbers 21:21-35

MTR: This week we need to praise God for what he has done for us in the past!

Redeeming Ruler: Praise the Redeemer of heaven, his faithful love endures forever. (v. 23-26)

God redeems us from his lowly estate.

God rescues us from those who oppose us.

God is our provider

1 Cor. 15:55-57

MTR: This week we need to praise God for Salvation.

Conclusion:

How will you make sure that you thank God for his: Mercy, Immutability, Faithfulness, Salvation?

Psalm 136 Worthy of Praise

Contents