April 7, 2008

Text: Psalm 146


A TREMENDOUS COMMITMENT TO ALWAYS PRAISE THE LORD
"Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
While I live I will praise the LORD;
I will sing praises to my God, while I have my being"    Psalm 146:1-2

1. A commitment made
"I will sing praises to my God"    Psalm 146:2

2. A challenge to self (the soul) to fulfill commitment
"Praise the LORD, O my soul"    Psalm 146:1

3. A consciousness of the brevity of life
"While I have my being"    Psalm 146:2

DISDAIN TRUST IN MAN
"Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish"    Psalm 146:3-4

1. Tendency to put trust in man

a) Princes... people of influence

b) Son of man... the ordinary man in the street

2. Trust in man is in vain

a) He is only a human being

b) He dies and his spirit departs

c) His best laid plans perish with him

TRUST IN GOD
1. Reasons to trust in God

a) He is the Creator
"He made the heaven and earth
The sea, and all that is in them"    Psalm 146:6

b) He is a great and wonderful God

    i) He executes justice    Psalm 146:7a

    ii) He gives food to the hungry    Psalm 146:7b

    iii) He gives freedom to prisoners    Psalm 146:7c

    iv) He heals    Psalm 146:8a

    v) He raises up those who are bowed down    Psalm 146:8b

    vi) He loves the righteous    Psalm 146:8c

    vii) He watches over strangers    Psalm 146:9a

    viii) He relieves the fatherless and widow    Psalm 146:9b

    ix) He upsets the plans of the wicked    Psalm 146:9c

    x) He reigns forever as King and God    Psalm 146:10

2. Blessed state of those who trust in God
"Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
whose hope is in the LORD his God"    Psalm 146:5

a) Those who hope in God

b) Those whose help comes from the Lord

c) Their lot is a happy one!