Psalm 96-97

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

February 11, 2004

Psalm 96

David had tried to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, but had failed. Instead of having the priests carry the Ark like God wanted, they had tried bringing it up the hill on an oxcart. The results were disastrous. One of the priests died because he stretched out his hand and touched the Ark to steady it as the cart was moving up the hill. This scared David so much that he had the Ark taken to the house of a man named Obededom for awhile because he wasn’t so sure he wanted the Ark in Jerusalem.

(1 Chr 15:1-4 KJV) And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. {2} Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. {3} And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it. {4} And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:

David has figured out what went wrong. He’s going to try one more time to move the Ark.

(1 Chr 15:11-17 KJV) And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, {12} And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. {13} For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. {14} So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. {15} And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD. {16} And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. {17} So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

Lesson

It’s about God

Worship is not about us, it’s about God. He’s the center of worship. He’s the one that worship revolves around. We don’t do things in worship for our sake, to make us comfortable or accommodate us.

We do things for God’s sake. We want to worship Him the way He wants to be worshipped.

David found that God didn’t want His Ark on an oxcart, God wanted it carried on human shoulders. David learned to take his own desires or ideas out of the picture and worship God in a way that was pleasing to God.

(1 Chr 15:25-29 KJV) So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy. {26} And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. {27} And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. {28} Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. {29} And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

Lesson

Who do you want to impress?

David wanted to worship God with all of his heart. His wife Michal was embarrassed by David’s behavior. She thought that he wasn’t acting like a king. But David didn’t mind. He was more concerned with what God thought than what even his wife thought.

Things like raising our hands in worship are difficult for some of us. Sometimes we’re afraid we’ll be a distraction. Sometimes we are concerned what other people are going to think.

Try a test with me. Raise your hands. Look around. Is it all that silly? Not really.

Try something else. Close your eyes. Now raise your hands. Can you even tell who is watching you? Sometimes it’s easier to close your eyes during worship because you don’t focus on the folks around you, just on God.

(1 Chr 16:1-7 KJV) So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. {2} And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. {3} And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. {4} And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: {5} Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; {6} Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. {7} Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren…

The Psalm that David gives to Asaph to sing is found in the book of Psalms in parts of three different Psalms. Verses 8-22 are the same as Psalm 105:1-15. Verses 23-33 are basically the same as our Psalm (96), and vs. 34-36 are the same as Psalm 106:1,47-48.

:1-9 Give God worship

:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song

new – chadash – new, new thing, fresh

Lesson

Fresh worship

If we’re not careful, we can get into ruts in worship and just sing what comes easiest. A few years back, the more traditional churches only sang 19^th century hymns because “that’s the way we’ve always done it”. There was something fresh about Calvary Chapel because the songs were fresh and simple. Now I have the feeling that most churches sing these kinds of songs, but even they can become “stale”.

(Isa 29:13 NASB) Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,

Even old songs can be “fresh” if you let them “rest” for awhile.

Songs are “fresh” when they come from a heart of love for God.

:5 For all the gods of the nations are idols

idols – ‘eliyl – of nought, good for nothing, worthless

On one hand, there is nothing real behind an “idol”:

(1 Cor 8:4 KJV) As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

On the other hand, at times there is something powerful going on in idolatry, because it’s being energized by demons.

(1 Cor 10:20 KJV) But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

beauty of holiness – or in holy array. Though the phrase may be translated either way, it likely refers to God’s holiness not man’s. It means “Worship the Lord for the splendor of His holiness.” The phrase also occurs in 96:9; 110:3; 1 Chron. 16:29; 2 Chron. 20:21 (Ryrie)

:10-13 He is coming to judge

:10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth

heathen – gowy – nation, people; usually of non-Hebrew people

Lesson

Take Worship outside

The Jewish nation got to a point where they felt that they would be the only ones saved. The heathen weren’t even worth thinking about.

I find it interesting that David thinks about talking to the “heathen” about the Lord.

Jesus made a trip through Samaria and had an appointment to keep. He met a woman who had been married five times and was currently living with a sixth guy. She was not the upstanding member of the community. Yet Jesus approached her and began to talk to her about Living Water. He confronted her about her life. His discussion with her blew her away. She began to realize that this was no ordinary man, but some kind of a prophet or something.

(John 4:19-30 KJV) The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. {20} Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

She’s addressing the differences between the Samaritans and the Jews. The Samaritans had a twisted for of Judaism. They worshipped on a different mountain than the Jews (Their temple was on Mt. Gerizim instead of Mt. Zion)

{21} Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. {22} Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. {23} But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. {24} God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. {25} The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. {26} Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

Talk about a time of worship. She’s face to face with Jesus. And she’s changed.

{27} And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? {28} The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, {29} Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? {30} Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

What does she do because of her encounter with Jesus? She has to tell others what she’s found.

:13 for he cometh to judge the earth

David had a sense that Jesus would be coming to rule and reign on the earth. The whole earth, not just Israel.

Psalm 97

:1-7 The Awesome God Reigns

There’s a picture in this Psalm that I think needs some historical background.

When Solomon dedicated the Temple, some amazing things happened. Just as David had moved the Ark into the city of Jerusalem, once Solomon finished the Temple, it was time to move the Ark into the Temple. After the Ark was moved, the worship began:

(2 Chr 5:13-14 KJV) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; {14} So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

(2 Chr 6:1-2 KJV) Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. {2} But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

At this point, Solomon gave a blessing to the people gathered around. Then Solomon prayed for God to honor the Temple that had been built.

(2 Chr 7:1-3 KJV) Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. {2} And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house. {3} And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Lesson

Worship and Glory

God’s presence came as the people joined in unison to praise God.

Share “Lord Let Your Glory Fall”

This whole scenario was very similar to something that Moses had experienced when he set up the Tabernacle in the wilderness.

(Exo 40:33-38 KJV) And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. {34} Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. {35} And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. {36} And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: {37} But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. {38} For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

After having set up the Tabernacle, they began to offer worship to the Lord with sacrifices.

(Lev 9:23-24 KJV) And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. {24} And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

(Lev 10:1-2 KJV) And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. {2} And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

The fire came out, but it wasn’t exactly a joyful time.

Nadab and Abihu weren’t right with the Lord. They had apparently been drinking before they showed up (Lev. 10:9).

God’s fire can be a glorious thing. It can be a terrifying thing.

The same kind of scenario happened at the birth of the church as well.

(Acts 2:1-11 KJV) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. {5} And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. {6} Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. {7} And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? {8} And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? {9} Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, {10} Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, {11} Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

The beginning of a new work. The Spirit came and filled the Temple (the church). Fire from heaven (tongues of fire).

Later on,

(Acts 5:1-11 KJV) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, {2} And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. {3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? {4} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. {5} And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. {6} And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. {7} And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. {8} And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. {9} Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. {10} Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. {11} And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

God’s purifying fire came again.

:2 Clouds and darkness are round about him

Just as Solomon had noted when God sent fire and consumed his sacrifice.

:2 righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

Think of the Ark of the Covenant. The mercy seat. A place of righteousness and judgment. Judgment for our sins. Or mercy.

:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

Lesson

Playing with fire

You need to be careful what you do with fire.

Illustration

A Charlotte, North Carolina man, having purchased a case of rare, very expensive cigars, insured them against---get this---fire. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of fabulous cigars, and having yet to make a single premium payment on the policy, the man filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the man stated that he had lost the cigars in “A series of small fires.” The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason that the man had consumed the cigars in a normal fashion. The man sued---and won! In delivering his ruling, the judge stated that since the man held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable, and also guaranteed that it would insure the cigars against fire, without defining what it considered to be “Unacceptable fire,” it was obligated to compensate the insured for his loss. Rather than endure a lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the judge’s ruling and paid the man $15,000 for the rare cigars he lost in “The fires.” After the man cashed his check, however, the insurance company had him arrested---on 24 counts of arson! With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used as evidence against him, the man was convicted of intentionally burning the rare cigars and sentenced him to 24 consecutive one year terms!

Don’t play with fire.

It’s not a bad idea to be afraid of fire. It can burn your house down. It can burn you.

But fire can be good. It bakes your bread. It runs your car.

God’s Fire – the Holy Spirit. Have a healthy respect. Let Him work.

:5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD

Lesson

Problems melt before the Lord.

I’ve noticed this many times in worship.

The problems that I come to church with, the things that weigh me down, seem to melt away as I come into God’s presence.