Psalms by Dr. Ralph Wilson
Lesson 4
Psalms: Offering High Praises to God
(Psalms 150, 95, and 98)
Psalm 150 -- Let Everything that Has Breath Praise the Lord!
Everyone that Has Breath (150:6a)
Q1. (Psalm 150) What does this psalm teach us about praise?
Where should praise occur?
With what should praise be conducted?
Who should praise?
What does this psalm make you feel like after reading it out loud?
Psalm 95 -- Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down
Obedience Must Follow Worship (95:7d-11)
Q2. (Psalm 95) In Psalm 95 we are commanded to worship the Lord. What are the reasons why we should worship contained in this psalm?
Why do you think the warning in verses 8-11 is included in this psalm?
How does this fit with the earlier elements of the psalm?
Psalm 98 -- Sing to the Lord a New Song
Yahweh's Salvation for Israel (98:1b-3)
All Nature Praises Yahweh (98:7-9a)
The Reason for Praise: The Judge Is Coming with Righteousness (98:9b-d)
Q3. (Psalm 98) What are the reasons given for praise in Psalm 98?
Why do you think praise is so exuberant in this psalm?
How exuberant is praise in your congregation, in your life?
Why or why not is it exuberant?
Exercise. For one of the psalms in this lesson -- or another psalm with a similar theme -- do one of the suggested exercises to help you experience the Psalms in Appendix 1. These include such things as praying a psalm, meditating, reading to a shut-in, paraphrasing, writing your own psalm, singing, preparing a liturgy, and memorizing. Then report to the forum what the exercise meant to you personally or share what you've written with others.
Prayer
Father, what a privilege it is to praise you, to bring joyous happy praises to you with my whole heart. Through praising you, you've filled my life with joy. May my whole life -- not just my lips -- be a praise to your name. In Jesus' wonderful name, I pray. Amen.
Songs
- "Break into Songs of Joy" (in honor of the Lord Most High), words and music by Bill Batstone (© 1986, Maranatha! Music). Psalm 98.
- "Come Let Us Bow," words and music by Andy Park (© 1992, Mercy / Vineyard Publishing). Psalm 95.
- "Come, Let Us Worship," words and music by Chris Tomlin and Jesse Reeves (© 2002, worshiptogether.com songs / sixsteps Music). Psalm 95:6-7
- "Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down," words and music by Dave Doherty (© 1980, Maranatha Praise, Inc.). Psalm 95:6-7.
- "Come Worship the Lord," words and music by John Michael Talbot (© 1980, Birdwing Music, BMG Songs, Inc.). Psalm 95.
- "Holy Moment," words and music by Matt Redman (© 2000, Thankyou Music). Psalm 95.
- "Praise Him, Praise Him," words: Fanny Crosby (1869), music: Chester G. Allen. Psalm 150.2.
- "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation," words: Joachim Neander (1680), translated by Catherine Winkworth (1863); music: "Lobe den Herren" (1665), harmony by William S. Bennett (1864). Psalm 150:1-2.
- "Praise Ye the Lord" (Psalm 150), words and music by Reta Kelligan (© 1951, 1980, Reta Kelligan). Psalm 150.
- "Shout to the Lord," words and music by Darlene Zschench (© 1993, Hillsong Publishing). Psalm 95:1.
- "The Battle Song" (With the High Praises of God in our mouth), words and music by Jimmy Owens (© 1978, Lexicon Music, Inc.). Psalm 149:6.
- "We Bow Down," words and music by Twila Paris (© 1984, New Spring). Psalm 95:6
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