13 Nov 2007

13 Nov - Ezekiel 27-28; Hebrews 11:17-31; Psalm 111; Proverbs 27:15-16

Psa 111
v1 Praise the Lord
v10 His praise endures forever

But v10 preceeds by the famous verse "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;all those who practice it have a good understanding"

So why praise a Lord that you fear? Of course, because of wisdom? What then has fearing the Lord do with wisdom?

How can he who has not begun correctly, finish correctly? Whoever started out on a wrong path from the beginning must turn back and must take-up the correct beginning, i.e., he must tread with his feet on the correct path. He who does not have the fear of God cannot have the love for God. What are we talking about? He who has no fear of God has no faith in God.

What so fearful about God? Not fear but awed by the works He does and did.
v2 Great are the works

The Expression of Priase
Psa 111: exclaimed the thanks giving, the praise for God. It was expressed with the whole heart, in the company of the upright and in the congregation.

The Description for the reasons of praise
v2 to v3 decribes the reasons for priase for thanksgiving.

Why we need to praise Him
v4-6 The works He did was for us - gracious and merciful, He provides, He gives them the inheritence.

The God of praise
v7-9 describes the God and His work
The works of his hands are faithful and just.. trustworthy.. upright, forever..

In summary, great and splendid are the works of God. These wonderous work is shown to us, though His provisions and His covenant. His works are faithful and just. Therefore praise Him and give thanks. Lastly, be awed by God for all He did for us (v9, Holy and awesome is His name), put faith in God and therefore fear Him (v5 He provides food for those who fear Him).