Sunday Worship 24 January 2021 : “Your judgments are a great deep”

Text: Psalm 36
24 January 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. There were many roles a King had to fulfil

a) He was the commander-in-chief of the army
b) He was the political head of the nation
c) He looked after the nation with reference to its judicial system

2. There were advisors to the King

a) There were priests
i) They prayed for him
ii) They prayed for the nation
iii) They ensured the spiritual vitality of the nation
b) There were prophets
i) Prophets were also religious leaders
ii) But they played a different role from that of the priests
iii) They were special servants of God
iv) They brought vital messages from the Lord

UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE PSALMS

1. Some words/ phrases are easier to understand

a) The mercy of God
b) The faithfulness of God
c) The righteousness of God

2. Sometimes words/phrases are a bit more challenging to understand

a) The judgments of God
b) Your judgments are a great deep

3. It would be wise to let Scripture interpret Scripture

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless, Psalm 19:7-13
a) David was also the author of this Psalm
b) The meaning of “judgment” is to be understood when compared with Psalm 19

THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF A PERSON

1. Different terms were used to describe the word of God

a) Law
b) Testimony
c) Statute
d) Commandment
e) Judgment

2. The word of God and its potential impact on us

a) It can convert the soul
b) It can make the simple wise
c) It can rejoice the heart
d) It can enlighten the eye
e) It can create the fear of the Lord

YOUR JUDGMENTS ARE A GREAT DEEP

1. The word “deep” means “seas”

2. The judgments of God are:

a) Complex
b) Profound
c) Deep

THE CHALLENGE TO OUR HEARTS

1. To desire the word of God

a) More than gold
b) More than fine gold

2. To discover the word of God

a) Sweeter than honey
b) Sweeter than the honey comb

3. To heed the warnings of the Word of God

4. To be cleansed by the Word

5. To keep us from presumptuous sins

6. To never be dominated by sin

7. To be blameless

THE JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD

1. They can help us fulfil these goals

2. But the Judgments of the Lord are indeed a great deep

a) We need the help of the Spirit of God
b) We need wisdom and discernment
c) We need to search the Scriptures diligently
d) We need to pray humbly