Remember—the secret is never to forget your hold on the past—your memories—an’ through thinkin’ of them to save your mind an’ apply it to all that faces you out there … if you fight an’ think together like a man meanin’ to repent of his sin—somewhere out there in the loneliness an’ silence you will find God!”
–Zane Grey (Wanderer of the Wasteland)
“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope… It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope… It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
–Lamentations 3:21, 26 (NKJV)
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“How big is God? How big and wide His vast domain
To try and tell, these lips can only start,
He’s big enough to rule His mighty universe,
Yet small enough to live within my heart.”
–Stuart Hamblen
Psalm 111 is a relatively short psalm, but because it is worth the time to ponder, meditate, and contemplate on it, I will divide it into two lessons. God is worthy to be praised, not only for who He is, but also for what He does. “Who God is cannot be separated from what God does,” states Steven Lawson. He continues, “Both the person and work of God are indissolubly one. God’s attributes and His actions are inseparably united, the latter being an extension of the former.” As we look at this Psalm, take heed to praise God for who He is and what He does, and especially for He has done for you.
1 — Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
2 — The works of the LORD are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
3 — His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.
4 — He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. (NKJV)
The Psalm begins with a roaring declaration of praise! That should be our thoughts, not only in the house of the Lord on Sunday, but as we begin every day and close our eyes in slumber. Notice the “I will.” This is a resolution (oh, and how are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions?) but with this we see that we are to make them; we are to resolve to praise the Lord. Our feelings should have nothing to do with our praise. Remember that praise is an act of the will–it is one way that you can love God with all your will.
It is interesting that David uses the term, “studied.” Some versions use the word “sought” or “ponder” but “study” is the better and more literal term. The idea is that we should take time to look at, contemplate, and if you will, study the works of the Lord. That calls upon all our faculties to do so. Remember, what the Lord has done for you and what He has done for others. Look up in the sky at night and see the wondrous works of the Lord in creation, but also look deep into your heart to think of the regeneration that came to you because of Calvary.
We are to remember for “they are too awesome to be forgotten” (Lawson). Who can forget? Yet many, far too many have forgotten the works of the Lord in history, in the founding and keeping of this nation, and in the very breath that each of us breathe. We are to praise Him for He is kind and for His goodness. Milton wrote, “Let us with a gladsome mind / Praise the Lord, for He is kind.” If we stopped there that would be enough, but that is only the beginning, the kindness of God.
Therefore, “study” the works of the Lord! J.W. Burns wrote, “We must study, apprehend, reason, and compare, if we would remember. Memory is but the treasure-house of the things we put in it, and we can only store it with the facts of God’s universe by the exercise of all the intellectual powers. But memory is fickled, hence the necessity of constantly examining it to see if its contents are still there and in their right places.” I would encourage you not to get a dull mind with the things of God. Take time, every so often, to revisit the miracles and workings of God in your own life. Then go back through God’s Word to see His workings, His miracles, and His promises, oh, and let’s not forget His commands. Pause, reflect upon the works that God did for you yesterday and with anticipation look forward to what He has for you in the future. In that, do not forget that today is when we should praise Him.
“Show my forgetful feet the way
That leads to joys on high.
There knowledge grows without decay,
And love shall never die.”
–Isaac Watts
————————————-
“How big is God? How big and wide His vast domain
To try and tell, these lips can only start,
He’s big enough to rule His mighty universe,
Yet small enough to live within my heart.”
–Stuart Hamblen
Psalm 111 is a relatively short psalm, but because it is worth the time to ponder, meditate, and contemplate on it, I will divide it into two lessons. God is worthy to be praised, not only for who He is, but also for what He does. “Who God is cannot be separated from what God does,” states Steven Lawson. He continues, “Both the person and work of God are indissolubly one. God’s attributes and His actions are inseparably united, the latter being an extension of the former.” As we look at this Psalm, take heed to praise God for who He is and what He does, and especially for He has done for you.
1 — Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
2 — The works of the LORD are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
3 — His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.
4 — He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. (NKJV)
The Psalm begins with a roaring declaration of praise! That should be our thoughts, not only in the house of the Lord on Sunday, but as we begin every day and close our eyes in slumber. Notice the “I will.” This is a resolution (oh, and how are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions?) but with this we see that we are to make them; we are to resolve to praise the Lord. Our feelings should have nothing to do with our praise. Remember that praise is an act of the will–it is one way that you can love God with all your will.
It is interesting that David uses the term, “studied.” Some versions use the word “sought” or “ponder” but “study” is the better and more literal term. The idea is that we should take time to look at, contemplate, and if you will, study the works of the Lord. That calls upon all our faculties to do so. Remember, what the Lord has done for you and what He has done for others. Look up in the sky at night and see the wondrous works of the Lord in creation, but also look deep into your heart to think of the regeneration that came to you because of Calvary.
We are to remember for “they are too awesome to be forgotten” (Lawson). Who can forget? Yet many, far too many have forgotten the works of the Lord in history, in the founding and keeping of this nation, and in the very breath that each of us breathe. We are to praise Him for He is kind and for His goodness. Milton wrote, “Let us with a gladsome mind / Praise the Lord, for He is kind.” If we stopped there that would be enough, but that is only the beginning, the kindness of God.
Therefore, “study” the works of the Lord! J.W. Burns wrote, “We must study, apprehend, reason, and compare, if we would remember. Memory is but the treasure-house of the things we put in it, and we can only store it with the facts of God’s universe by the exercise of all the intellectual powers. But memory is fickled, hence the necessity of constantly examining it to see if its contents are still there and in their right places.” I would encourage you not to get a dull mind with the things of God. Take time, every so often, to revisit the miracles and workings of God in your own life. Then go back through God’s Word to see His workings, His miracles, and His promises, oh, and let’s not forget His commands. Pause, reflect upon the works that God did for you yesterday and with anticipation look forward to what He has for you in the future. In that, do not forget that today is when we should praise Him.
“Show my forgetful feet the way
That leads to joys on high.
There knowledge grows without decay,
And love shall never die.”
–Isaac Watts