Praise God with All Creation

                                                               Sunday School Lesson

Introduction: All Creatures of our God and King” was created around the 1900s, but the lyrics go all the way back to St. Francis of Assisi (1225). The hymn contains several stanzas. In the first five stanzas a portion of creation is beckoned to give God praise (one—sun and moon; two—wind and clouds; three—water and fire; four—fields and flowers; five—people and nations). The last few psalms of the psalter gave rise to what St. Francis did—beckoned all creation to give praise to God. In fact, Psalms 146–150 all begin and end the same way: Praise the Lord. The Hebrew word for praise is “halal.” It means to glorify, boast, or even shine. The theme of Psalm 148—and really Psalms 146–150—is that humankind should join the chorus of the rest of creation in giving praise to the Lord.

The Heavens 
 Psalm 148:1-6 KJV

1Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

The psalmist first takes us to the heavens (one of the most beautiful of all Hebrew words, “shamayim”). The heavens are the sky, the place of the stars, the clouds, the atmosphere, and even the abode of God. The parallelism of thought—seen throughout our study this past month in these selected psalms—is very evident. In verse 1 the psalmist calls for praise to the Lord from the heavens and adds to that line by saying in the heights above. Verse 2 calls angels to praise the Lord and adds all his heavenly hosts (maybe stars or angelic armies). Verse 3 calls sun and moon to praise the Lord and adds shining stars. Verse 4 calls for the highest heavens to praise the Lord and adds waters above the skies (rain or atmosphere). Verses 5 and 6 give the reasons why the heavens are summoned to praise the Lord. The first reason is that God created (commanded, bode, or gave orders to) them. Can they do anything else? Praise for the Lord is embedded in their nature. The second reason is that God established them for ever and ever. In fact God issued a decree as to their eternity.

The Earth 

 Psalm 148:7-13KJV

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Next the psalmist takes us to earth. The earth takes its cue from heaven in giving praise to the Lord. We start in the ocean. In verse 7 the large sea creatures (serpents, sea monsters, or dragon-type animals) are beckoned to start the praise. In verse 8 the weather systems are beckoned. Lightning, hail, snow, clouds, and winds all do God’s bidding (accomplish or fulfill his word). In verse 9 mountains and hills are beckoned to praise the Lord. On those hills grow fruit trees and all cedars. In verse 10 wild and domestic animals are beckoned to praise the Lord. To these larger animals are added small animals such as small creatures and flying birds. In verses 11 and 12 people who live on earth are beckoned to praise the Lord. Rulers and royalty, young and old, male and female are all beckoned to join the animal kingdom in giving praise to God. Identical to the first section of the psalm, the psalmist closes this section with reasons for why earth should so praise the Lord. First is that God’s name alone is exalted (set exceedingly high). God’s name stands for his character or person. When Israel would worship the Lord they would say, “The Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This could be an affirmation of his Trinitarian nature, but it could also be understood in a majestic sense—God is unique; there is no one else like him. Perhaps this last meaning is in view here. The second reason why earth should praise the Lord is because his splendor (glory or majesty) is above the earth and the heavens. Both earth and heaven are drawn together here.

The People 

 Psalm 148:14 KJV

14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.

Humans have been mentioned already as joining the earth praising the Lord. But the last verse draws in God’s covenant people, Israel, his faithful servants. Since heaven and earth praise God, the “apple of his eye” should follow suit. Perhaps they should create the crescendo. Maybe they should even lead the rest of creation. Two reasons are given for drawing in Israel to this praise. First God raised up a horn for them. This means God has manifested his power to this people. After all, he redeemed them from Egypt. Second, these people are close to his heart (near to him). He loves them with an everlasting love. What else can be said but Praise the Lord?

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Praise God the Creator

                                                                 Sunday School Lesson



Introduction: The Creator is separate from his creation. He transcends nature. Creation is awesome. The Creator is more awesome. The disciples found this out when a storm arose on the Sea of Galilee. It was one thing to face the storm (Mark 4:35-38). It was quite another thing to face the one who could calm the storm (Mark 4:39-41).As we have learned this month, many of the psalms celebrate God as Creator over his creation. Psalm 104 can be added to that list. In fact, as Book IV (90–106) of Psalms ends, this theme of celebrating God as Creator (and Redeemer) is strong. Psalms 103 and 106 celebrate God’s forgiveness and love. Psalms 104 and 105 celebrate his creation and his faithfulness to it.

The Creator Works in His Creation 
 Psalm 104:1-4 KJV

1Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

The psalmist (who likely could have been King David, since he wrote the previous psalm) once again began with Praise (literally, “bless”). He summoned up his soul for this praise as he acknowledged the greatness of God. By using the metaphors of clothing, building, and nature, we see how intimate the Creator is with his creation.God is clothed with splendor and majesty and the Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment. God the Father is spirit (John 4:24) and therefore is not like a human being getting dressed. Yet through the figure of speech known as anthropomorphism, the Lord is pictured as getting dressed in light.The Creator is involved in creation as a builder. He stretches out the heavens like a tent. Think about someone going camping and setting out on the ground everything for the camping experience before assembling the tent. God does that with the heavens (Genesis 1:8; 2 Corinthians 12:2). Also he lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. It is as if God pounds huge concrete buttresses into the water so they can support the heavens.The Creator is also involved in his creation as one who controls the wind. In fact, he makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. Since the word Spirit (as in Holy Spirit) means breath, wind, or something pulsating, God can use clouds as a means of transportation and battle (2 Kings 2:11). He can appoint winds to become messengers and flames of fire to be his servants (see also Acts 2:1-4). God is not distant from his creation (as the deists believe). He transcends creation but works in it.

Creation Bears Witness to the Creator 

Psalm 104:24-30 KJV

24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.

27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.

29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

God calls to his creation, and his creation responds with obedience. Some of the verses not included in the printed text (Psalm 104:5-23) continue the theme of God’s involvement with his creation. Some of the verses deal with God actually calling creation into being (vv. 5, 8, 9, 19, 20), and some of the verses deal with God sustaining the universe by his providence (vv. 10-18).But beginning in this third section the psalmist calls creatures to the witness stand on behalf of their Creator. The word translated creatures in verse 24 comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to acquire something” (as in, God owns these creatures). The word translated creatures in verse 25 comes from a Hebrew word that means “something that creeps along the ground.” So whether the creature is in the sea or on the land, it bears witness to its Creator.The word for God’s creativity in making sea and land creatures is called works. It highlights something made, done, or accomplished. First the psalmist acknowledged the sea creatures. The ocean home God made for them is huge. This home is so vast and spacious that ships can sail on it and creatures like Leviathan can play in it. This is a fascinating creature. The word Leviathan appears six times in the Old Testament and refers to a sea monster or some kind of large aquatic animal. (Think Nessy in the famous Loch of Inverness, Scotland.)The psalmist also acknowledged land animals. God feeds these animals and they gather it up. God opens his hand (another example of anthropomorphism) and satisfies them with good things. When God, for whatever reason, hides his face, they are terrified. God can allow them to die and return to the dust. It all depends on God’s Spirit.When the Spirit moves, creation responds to its Creator. We would do well to follow that lead.

Praise God the Provider

                                                              Sunday School Lesson

Introduction: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.” Our Jewish friends call this the Traditional Ha-Motzi Blessing, which is recited before eating bread on the Sabbath. Psalm 65 may be something like a predecessor to that prayer. It praises God for his provision. The superscription of the Psalm says that it is a psalm of David, but it mentions the temple (v. 4), and the temple was not built in David’s time. Perhaps David wrote it as a psalm for harvest time, and it became more formalized for worship at the temple later.God is not only the Creator who is worshipped in a new song (the themes of our last two lessons), he also is praised for being the great provider. Very early in the Bible we are acquainted with this God who provides. In Eden God provided food for Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:16). In the flood God provided an ark to save Noah’s household (Hebrews 11:7). But a well-known story of provision is the testing of Abraham in Genesis 22. God provided the test, the seed of promise (Isaac), and the ram that was caught in the thicket (a substitute).

He Provides Forgiveness 

Psalm 65:1-4KJV

1Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.

2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

The psalmist pictures a person going up to the temple to worship God and references Zion. This word has many nuances mostly referring to a place. It can refer to God’s people, the city of Jerusalem, the temple, and even the original city of David—just to the south of Solomon’s temple. The psalmist begins with Praise. This is the first word in the psalm, and it is the Hebrew label for this book of the Bible. Besides praise given at the right place, there are several other things necessary for good worship. This would include fulfilling vows, acknowledging answered prayers, a blessing for the priests, and enjoying the good things of God that result when God’s people worship. But as much as we bring to worship there is one thing that we need in worship, and that is forgiveness. Verse 3 reads, When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. The word forgave is the word for “covering” (kippur). One aspect of forgiveness is the covering of an offense. God can uniquely provide that.

He Provides Power 

 Psalm 65:5-7KJV

5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:

7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people

Since God is God, one thing that he does not lack is power. Our power is quite puny. God’s power is unlimited. Knowing that helps us stand in awe of him. It also helps us bear witness to his awesome and righteous deeds. Some of these deeds were salvific. He delivered Israel and set the captives free. He is God our Savior. He has power to save to all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas (see also Hebrews 7:25). In addition to his power to rescue, he has power over his creation. He can make it, and when it gets unruly due to sin, he can wrestle it to the ground. He formed the mountains, he armed himself with strength, and he stilled the roaring of the seas. In the ancient world, and somewhat in the Old Testament, the tumultuous water was seen as something only God can tame (Genesis 1:2). He has power over the seas, the waves, and even the nations.

He Provides Harvest 

Psalm 65:8-13KJV

8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.

11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Even though the earth (land) was cursed due to sin (Genesis 3:17-19), and even though God had to judge the world with a flood because of ongoing sin (6:5-8), God still provided “seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night” (8:22). He does, in fact, bring forth bread from the earth.The earth is personified and shown to be filled with awe as morning and night continue. Even in its fallen state God calls to the earth with songs of joy and the earth springs to life. God provides water so that harvest can be expected.A bumper crop demands rain. The Middle East knows this all too well. God is so powerful he can make the desert produce (Isaiah 35:1, 2). An Israeli guide named Amnon called rain “sky juice.” God can drench the furrows or soften it with showers.His rain produces bounty and abundance. The grasslands, hills, meadows, and valleys are personified as being clothed and shouting for joy. “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4, English Standard Version). The one who is the bread of life (John 6:41) provides bread for his people. He is the provider, so he provides.

Praise God with a New Song

                                                                 Sunday School Lesson

Introduction: The Psalms improve your song. If your song is exuberant, a psalm will sound like seventy-six trombones in a marching band. If your song is a lament, the psalm will sound like the blues. For every season of the heart, there is a psalm. Much like the preaching of Jesus, there is something for everyone. One characteristic of church music today is putting new lyrics to old tunes. Another characteristic of church music today is putting old lyrics to new tunes. People have their preferences, but God’s people always have a song. The Christian faith is a singing faith—in contrast to so many world religions today. Psalm 96 is only 13 verses long, but it is filled with commands to sing and reasons for doing so.

Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves 
 Psalm 96:1-5 KJV

O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

4 For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

Six verbs carry the imperatives related to singing. Sing is used three times; praise, proclaim, and declare each appear once. Singing does not seem optional. When the heart is caught up in the wonder of God, the only response of the lips is to sing. The song is new (fresh). The song is worldwide (all the earth and the nations and among all peoples). The song centers on the character of God (praise his name—name standing for his person and character). The song’s content is salvation. To accomplish this salvation, God’s glory showed up in marvelous deeds (miracles). The psalmist gives five reasons why we would sing the song of salvation: First, the Lord is great. There is no one like him. Second, the Lord is most worthy of praise. He is the only one who deserves the honor. Third, the Lord is feared above other so-called gods (1 Corinthians 8:4-6). Other gods are worshiped in the world, but there is only one true God. Fourth, the nations are idol worshipers—unlike God’s people—and in worshiping their idols they are really worshiping themselves. Fifth, the Lord made the heavens. He is the Creator. “We have heard the joyful sound, Jesus saves, Jesus saves; spread the tidings all around Jesus saves, Jesus saves.”

Holy, Holy, Holy 

 Psalm 96:6-9 KJV

6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Once again six verbs carry the imperatives related to this song. Ascribe is used three times; bring, worship, and tremble each appear once. The singer remembers who is worshiped—none other than God, our “blessed trinity.” He is holy—he is totally other and distinct from his creation. He dwells in splendor, majesty, strength, and glory. These qualities of God are personified as standing before God. Since God is holy, those who worship him must be holy in their worship. First, this involved bringing an offering that was without blemish. Second, ascribing to God his worth was to be done in the splendor of his holiness. Worship must be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40), but it must also capture the holy heart of the one being worshiped. Third, all the families of nations and all the earth were to participate in this grand worship of God. No spot on the globe is exempt. “Only Thou art holy—there is none beside Thee; perfect in power, in love and purity.”

 Great Is the Lord, He Is Holy and Just 

 Psalm 96:10-13 KJV

10 Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

13 Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

he church often sings itself to health. God’s people sing the song of the redeemed, and in so doing, they sing health to their weary souls. The psalmist invites the nations, the earth, and the world to sing (or say) that God is in charge. He is great, holy, and just, and “by his power we trust in his love.” At the end of the day he will have the last word. He will judge (a verb that appears twice in this paragraph). His judgment is as sure as the world and is always done with equity. The psalmist personifies creation by calling it to witness God’s sovereignty. The heavens, the earth, the sea, the fields, the trees, and all of creation are called forth to testify to God’s pure and righteous judgment. In fact, God himself is the standard by which all judgment takes place. He will judge the world (pagans) and the peoples (Israel) in two ways—righteousness and faithfulness. God is the judge, but he is also the standard by which people will be judged. Put that to music.