September 11, 2009
PRAISE GOD FOR THE JOY INSIDE
Psalm 92
Marcia Triplett
Central Truth
I have joy inside because of what God has done, and I can sing about it.
Key Verse | Psalm 92:4
For You, O Lord, have made me happy by your work.
I will sing for joy because of what you have done.
(Psalm 92:4)
Psalm 92
How Great Are Your Works
A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.
1
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2
to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3
to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
5
How great are your works, O LORD!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6
The stupid man cannot know;
the fool cannot understand this:
7
that though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
8
but you, O LORD, are on high forever.
9
For behold, your enemies, O LORD,
for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.
10
But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me
1
92:10
Compare Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
fresh oil.
11
My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
12
The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13
They are planted in the house of the LORD;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15
to declare that the LORD is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 92
Praise is not something that comes naturally to me. But if I recall what God has done, then I can get my focus on the Lord. The world strives for happiness, which, at best, is fleeting. On the other hand, God’s Word speaks of joy, which is based on God's unconditional love. I can flourish no matter what the circumstances.
When I was in high school and college, I had friends who often liked to sing a cappella while riding in the car together, just praising the Lord. To me they were the embodiment of Psalm 92:4, “For you, O Lord, have made me happy by your work. I will sing for joy because of what you have done.”
This is reminiscent of the account in Acts 16 of the night Paul and Silas spent in the Philippian jail as punishment for freeing a slave girl from the demonic spirit that possessed her. Around midnight, after they had been severely beaten and had their feet fastened in stocks, Paul and Silas began praying and singing praises to God (a cappella, of course). The result was that not only were they freed from prison, but the jailer and his entire household became followers of Christ.
While I've never seen such dramatic events as that result from my praise to God, Scripture does make it clear that God seeks our praise. In fact, Psalm 22:3 (NASB) says that God is "enthroned" upon the praises of His people.
Even to this day, if someone around me starts singing praises to God, there is a joy that floods my heart. How encouraging it is to hear others praise the Lord, too!
Discussion Questions
1. What can you praise God for today?
2. When do you experience joy inside?
3. When was the last time you praised God in front of your friends?