MY GLORY AND THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD

BIG IDEA:
FROM HIS EXALTED POSITION OF SUPREME GLORY, THE LORD CAN RAISE UP THE POOREST SOUL TO THE PLACE OF BLESSING AND HONOR

Remember Psalm 3:3 "My glory, and the One who lifts my head" (Psalm 27:6)
1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time"


(:1-3) INTRODUCTION: PRAISE THE LORD
Beginning of the Hallel group of psalms = 113-118; sung in conjunction with the Passover; focused around Redemption of God’s people from Egypt;
Praise oriented
We naturally resist being in a humbled state, totally dependent on God’s deliverance:
Who enjoys being humbled and brought down low?
Being poor and destitute?
Being buried in the dust of insignificance?
Being rejected and cast off on the ash heap of life?
Being barren and unfruitful?

This Psalm gives HOPE to all those who are experiencing such afflictions; for it is the
testimony of praise of the redeemed people of God = those who have experienced deliverance from the severest bondage and humiliation

A. Call to Praise the Lord
Addressed to the Servants of the Lord (remember their affliction as servants of Pharoah in Egypt)
What a privilege to be Servants of the Lord
We Praise the Lord by Blessing the name of the Lord

B. Focus of Praise = the Name of the Lord = all of His glorious attributes

C. Duration of Praise
All throughout Time: "From this time forth and forever"
good to develop this ability; we will be exercising it throughout eternity.All the Time: "From the rising of the sun to its setting"


I. (:4-5) THE LORD’S POSITION OF SUPREME GLORY
A. His Exaltation and Glory = "high above all nations" = "above the heavens"
nothing to fear if we are being afflicted by the most powerful leaders of the most
powerful nations on earth

B. His Uniqueness = "Who is like the Lord our God"

C. His Power and Majesty = "Who is enthroned on high"


II. (:6-9a) THE LORD’S ABILITY TO RAISE UP THE POOREST SOUL TO THE PLACE OF BLESSING AND HONOR

A. The Compasson of the Lord = He really cares about little old me
"Who humbles Himself to behold:

1) the things that are in heaven (no surprise here)

2) and in the earth" (big surprise here) cf. Psalm 8

B. The Power of the Lord

1. "raises the poor from the dust"

2. "lifts the needy from the ash heap"

3. "makes them sit with princes, with the princes of His people"

4. "makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children"


(:9b) CONCLUSION: PRAISE THE LORD

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) How does one go about “praising the name of the Lord”? How is this different than just “praising the Lord”?

2) Are all men considered the “servants of the Lord” because of their being created by Him? Or are only those called to be His chosen people viewed by God to be His servants?

3) How are you able to serve a God who lacks nothing and has no needs to be met?.

4) Why is God considered to be merciful when He addresses the needs of the poor, helpless and childless, when in His sovereignty He could have spared them from ever experiencing those needs?

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