Hallelujah! A New Year Sermon By Michael Fletcher 1 January 2017

Structure of the Psalms Read the Psalms as One Book! Theme: The Messianic King

Structure of the Psalms Life as it Should Be Life as it Is Life as it Will Be

Flow of the Psalms Begins: Life as it should be Picture of life in ideal world (Psalm 1) Good always wins / evil always loses

Flow of the Psalms Everything between: Life as it is Reality of life with pain & suffering Good does not always triumph Evil seems to overwhelm How a believer is to live now...

Flow of the Psalms Concludes (146–150): Life as it Will Be Eternal Praise Hallel-YHWH Oftentimes “praise” is born out of hardship, however, in 146–150, the praise is the trumpet blast of final victory. It is praise of God coming from the perspective of life as it will be.

Praise (Hallel-YHWH) Psalms Today we focus our attention on Psalm 148.

Psalm 148 The Place of the Creator The Praises of the Creation Praying Psalm 148 with Christ

I. The Place of the Creator From High to Low High: From the Highest Heaven (v.1) Low: To being Near (v.14) Deuteronomy 4.7: “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him?” Acts 17.27: “that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” He is not far—he is near—but we are called to search for him.

II. The Praises of the Creation From High to Low The heavens (v.1–6) The earth (v.7–9) The animals (v.10) Humanity (v.11–14) From Kings to Children

“Children & Kings” by Michael Gungor It's been sung It's been prayed Countless times Throughout time It's been said A thousand ways By children and kings Poets and priests I'd like to say it again Let me say it once again I love you Lord I just want to say As simple as it sounds In You my heart is found I love You

Psalm 148 The Place of the Creator The Praises of the Creation In Highest Heavens & yet Near The Praises of the Creation Universe, Earth, People… from Kings to Children in countless ways... Praying Psalm 148 with Christ

Praying Psalm 148 with Christ Together: Hallelujah! (v.1a) Jesus: Praise the Lord from the heavens! (v.1b) Church: Praise Him in the heights! (v.1c) Jesus: Praise Him, all His angels! (v.2a) Church: Praise Him, all His hosts! (v.2b)

Praying Psalm 148 with Christ Jesus: Praise Him, sun and moon! (v.3a) Church: Praise Him, all stars of light! (v.3b) Jesus: Praise Him, highest heavens! (v.4a) Church: [And praise Him] all the waters that are above the heavens! (v.4b)

Praying Psalm 148 with Christ Jesus: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. (v.5) Church: He has also established them forever and ever, he has made a decree which will not pass away. (v.6) Jesus: Praise the Lord from the earth! (v.7a) Church: [Yes, Praise the Lord all you] Sea monsters and all deeps. (v.7b)

Praying Psalm 148 with Christ Jesus: [Praise the Lord] lightning and hail, snow and clouds (v.8a) Church: [Praise the Lord] stormy wind, fulfilling His word (v.8b) Jesus: [Praise the Lord] mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars (v.9) Church: [Praise the Lord] beast and all cattle, creeping things and winged fowl. (10)

Praying Psalm 148 with Christ Jesus: [Praise the Lord all you] Kings of the earth and all peoples (v.11a) Church: [Praise the Lord all you] Princes and judges of the earth. (v.11b) Jesus: [Praise the Lord] both young men and virgins (v.12a) Church: [Praise the Lord] Both old men and children (v.12b)

Praying Psalm 148 with Christ Jesus: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted. (v.13a) Church: And His glory is above earth and heaven. (v.13b) Jesus: And he has lifted up a horn for his people, praise for all his godly ones. (v.14a) Church: Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him (v.14b) Together: Hallelujah! (v.14c)