Psalms of Praise - Linda Bailey
On Sunday, Linda Bailey, began our new series which is titled ‘Out of the Depths’ on the book of Psalms by introducing us to the topic of Psalms of Praise and exploring Psalm 145. Below you’ll find recordings of her sermon as well as a summary of her message and questions for personal reflection and small group discussion.
the Heart of Praise - Psalm 145
The book of Psalms is a treasure trove, filled with every human emotion and experience, all pointing us back to God. As Linda reminded us, even amidst different themes, every Psalm ultimately extols and glorifies God. We were created to worship Him, and if we don't direct our praise towards our Heavenly Father, we'll find ourselves giving that praise to other things – our jobs, finances, or even ourselves.
Psalm 145, attributed to King David, is a magnificent song of praise. When we read it, it’s not just a collection of nice words; it’s a profound declaration of who God is and why He’s worthy of all our adoration. It starts with David proclaiming, "I will exalt you, my God, the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever."
One of the fascinating things about this Psalm is its structure. It's an acrostic poem in Hebrew, meaning each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Just like saying "from A to Z" covers everything, this structure beautifully conveys the idea of universal praise – that God is praised in entirety, from beginning to end, by all things.
As Linda shared:
"In entirety, we praise God with everything that we are, from beginning to end, from alpha, omega, from A to Z, from the beginning of the alphabet, all the way to the end, we encapsulate and in everything that we do, we can praise God."
This universal praise isn’t just for us humans; it's for all creation! Think about it – the crashing waves, the shining stars, the vibrant sunrises and sunsets. They all silently declare God’s glory simply by existing as He created them. As Psalm 19 tells us, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Even a wombat munching on grass in the dark of night can spark joy and wonder at God's incredible creation!
Connecting Praise to Our Everyday Lives
Our praise to God isn't just universal; it’s also rational. We don't praise God blindly or because He demands it to boost His ego. No, we praise Him because the more we genuinely know Him, the more we understand His incredible holiness and goodness, the more our hearts overflow with worship.
Psalm 145:8 gives us a beautiful glimpse into God’s character: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” These aren't just nice words; they are profound truths about our King. In ancient times, kings were often powerful but not necessarily good or compassionate. Yet, our God is both – mighty in power and overflowing with goodness. This is truly good news!
And this truth was perfectly exemplified in Jesus. When Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, walked among us, He showed us the very heart of God's grace, compassion, patience, and boundless love. He lived out the qualities that David wrote about centuries before. Our praise isn't some irrational outpouring; it's a deeply felt response to the God who is "just too good to be true" – a goodness made real in Jesus.
Finally, our worship is meant to be forever and ever. This can feel daunting, right? Especially when life is tough. When we look at David, the author of Psalm 145, we might think his life was easy, full of constant praise. But history tells a different story. David faced intense persecution, family struggles, and personal sin, yet he still declared: "I will praise you forever and ever."
Linda beautifully highlighted this truth with a powerful quote from a song currently making waves:
"Yeah, I don’t always feel it, but that’s when I need it the most. So I’mma keep on singing till my soul catches up with my song… I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, been-through-hell hallelujah."
There will be days when praise feels like a "hard-fought hallelujah," when it takes every ounce of strength. And this is where the power of community comes in. We don't have to carry the burden of praise alone. God understands our struggles. He created us to be in community so that when we can't find the words or the strength, our brothers and sisters in Christ can stand with us, pray for us, and sing praises on our behalf.
This "forever and ever" praise isn't just about us, but about the generations to come. Just as previous generations have kept the song of praise alive for us, we too have a role in nurturing the next generation, ensuring that the worship of God continues unashamedly.
Psalm 145 reminds us that our praise to God is:
Universal: It's for all people and all of creation.
Rational: It flows naturally as we grow in our understanding of God’s gracious, compassionate, and loving character.
Forever and Ever: We can praise Him through every season, good or bad, and we do it together as a community, building up future generations to continue the song.
No matter what you're facing today, remember who God is. He is worthy of your praise, always.
One Way to Live it Out THIS WEEK
This week, try to find one moment each day to simply pause and observe something beautiful in God's creation around you – the sky, a plant, an animal – and allow it to prompt a simple moment of praise or thanks to God.
A Prayer for your Week
Lord God, you are so worthy of our praise. We thank you for your grace, compassion, and endless love. There are days when praise flows easily from our hearts, and days when it feels like a struggle. We thank you for your understanding, and for the community of faith that surrounds us, lifting us up when we are weak. Help us to always turn our eyes to you, giving you the honour and glory you deserve, today and forever. Amen.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
For Personal Reflection:
How do you personally experience or connect with God's presence in nature or through creation?
Thinking about God as "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love," how does this understanding impact your trust in Him, especially during difficult times?
Are there times when you find it challenging to offer praise to God? How might the idea of a "hard-fought hallelujah" resonate with you?
For Small Group Discussion:
The sermon discussed how all of creation gives glory to God. What are some specific examples of creation's "praise" that you’ve noticed recently?
Linda mentioned that if we don't praise God, we'll find other things to praise. What are some things in our culture or personal lives that often compete for our worship and attention?
The sermon highlighted that our worship is "rational" – we praise God because we know Him. What's one new thing you've learned or been reminded of about God's character recently that deepens your praise?
Why is it significant that Psalm 145 describes God as both a mighty King and gracious, compassionate, and rich in love?
Linda shared the powerful lyrics about a "hard-fought hallelujah." Can you share a time when praising God felt difficult, but you found a way to do it anyway (perhaps through prayer, music, or community support)?
How does being part of a faith community like One Church help you sustain your praise to God, especially during challenging seasons?
Psalm 145:4 says, "One generation commends your works to another." How can we, as a group, encourage and equip the next generation to continue praising God?
As we finish, let's take a moment to share one specific thing we're grateful for about God's character today, and how that leads us to praise Him.