“I will sing of mercy, and judgment unto Thee, O Lord, I will sing.” Psalm 101:1
Singing is a wonderful way of worshipping God, remembering the great truths of Scripture, and God’s works and blessings. One of the reasons for which the Psalms in the Bible are so useful, and inciteful in the knowledge of God, is because they were written by those who met God and were met BY Him. All through these songs is revealed the personal experience of the authors and composers. They relate what they have learned about God, and more importantly, what He specifically taught them. Throughout their pages, and individual songs, there is revealed how God met them in a large array of different circumstances, both where rejoicing was the result, and others where there was the expression of great sorrow and suffering. But that which stands out in a most remarkable manner is the truth that God DOES meet the needs of those who truly seek Him. He responds to prayer, believing prayer, on the part of those who are in earnest to find Him. It is also very apparent that none of the authors fully understood how God dealt with them, and certainly realized their limitations in being able to fully understand the truths that God was teaching them, but one thing is certain, they were assured, even certain, that God was real, present, singularly worthy to be worshipped in an unholy world, and that there was a battle going on of which they were a part. It was a battle to overcome the obstacles to faith and love, in the pursuit of the knowledge of Christ, that knowledge communicated to them by the Spirit, both in writing the Psalms, but also at other times, certainly many times when they saw the hand of God, discovered something new and wonderful concerning Him. So, how do the Psalms help us, being used by the Spirit to increase faith and strength?
The Psalms written by David are remarkable in that they seem to be the very means by which we are taught how to worship God. Though they deal with very real events and conditions of David’s time, they are stepping stones to reach the heights of personal worship of God. David often begins his writings by “blessing the Lord,” and this with all of his heart. He calls to remembrance the works and ways of God, which provide the motivation and the means of appropriating Him for every need. That which is central to all in the writing of these songs, is the clear revelation of who God IS. He writes in Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” He goes on to say that, “…as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.” (v.11) David seems to never cease in his worship of God in speaking of His mercy. Why? Because it is by the mercy of God that David is given access to God. David has a true and right concept of God, in that He is holy and so very much above us, that we as human beings could never even begin to comprehend His greatness and person, much less His holiness, were it not for the Spirit of God. By the Spirit we begin to understand that God in his great love towards us has provided a way into His presence, a certain way of peace, because it is a way of mercy. David again writes: “The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children.” (v.17) Herein is the fruit of true worship, that God becomes a reality in the truest sense of the word. We see Him by faith, as He is, and in that sight, as we behold Christ in His glory, the Spirit transforms us.
In Psalm 145, we find David declaring the great blessing of worship, His presence: “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him.”
Dear Father, Strengthen us to sing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.