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Psalm 111

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This Psalm is almost like a Proverb, it provides us with wisdom and direction.  Not only does it speak of God's nature and character but it suggests action for us to take.  "I will extol the Lord," and, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."  Begin by reading the passage:

"Praise the Lord.  I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.  Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.  Glorious and majestic are his deeds,and his righteousness endures forever.  He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.  He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.  The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.  They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.  He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.  To him belongs eternal praise."

God is deserving of our praise.  God is the search of wisdom and understanding.  God is good in character and deeds.  God is our provider and He is gracious and compassionate.  Perhaps most importantly, God is eternal and He is Holy.  That is why we offer our worship and praise!

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Psalm 100-101

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Psalm 100

A number of songs are based upon this brief Psalm - and for good reason.  Each line in rich in theology and truth.  Know the Lord is God.  It is He who made us.  Give thanks to Him and praise His name!  Read this passage carefully...

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

God's love and faithfulness endure forever.  We will enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise.  We turn next to Psalm 101.  After the message of Psalm 100, this Psalm ought to be our response.  Read this passage carefully....

 

Psalm 101

"I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.  I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me?  I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.  I will not look with approvalon anything that is vile.  I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.  The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.  Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence;whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.  No one who practices deceitwill dwell in my house;  no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land;  I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord."

As benefactors of God's love and justice, we ought to demonstrate our gratitude by modeling our life based upon God's nature.  Our actions ought to flow from a blameless heart.  We should turn away from whatever is vile or perverse, because such things are contrary to God's nature.

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