A Whole Heart

O. T. #1336  "A Whole Heart"
Dec. 4, 2018
Psalm 111
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.  Psalm 111:1

LET IT GLOW


Alright, go back with me to our high school days. Do you remember studying about prose, the make up of poems? Vaguely, right? It was more than "Roses are red." Well, today's chapter is an Alphabetic Psalm. Each sentence begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and in order. (I will take from Falwell that it is so, since I do not read Hebrew.) Not only does it begin with each letter, but several clauses within the verse do also. How unusual and unique, huh? This psalm consists of ten verses, the first eight of which are couplets and the last two of which are triplets. These make up 22 lines, the exact number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Cool. I found it interesting. Another thing, we do not know the writer, who is praising the works of God's creation and redemption.

How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in Him should ponder them.

They ought not go by unnoticed, but to be studied, delved into, researched, and enjoyed. (Falwell)
Are we enjoying the deeds of God, blessings, in our life?

The works of the LORD are:

• great; In design, number, excellence, and deliverance God has performed mightily for His people. (verse 2)
• majestic; Honorable and glorious with His righteousness is God's work. No other work can be compared to His. (verse 3)
• memorable; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. (verse 4)
• enduring; His gracious kindness provides daily needs.  (verse 5)
• fulfills His promises; He is a promise keeper. (verse 6)
• trustworthy; Truth and justice are a part of God's character. (verse 7)
• eternal; His laws are established and settled forever. (verse 8)
• and redeems from every form of evil. Holy and reverend is His name. (verse 9)

[Resource: Lydia Brownback's Sing a New Song]

Great is Thy faithfulness unto me, Lord.

LET IT GROW

Now, going back to verses 1 and 10, we see our part in all of this.
First, we are to praise the Lord with our whole heart.
The word whole is the Hebrew language is ozo (od'zo), means to scent (usually an ill odor); stink.

So with our stink, sinful heart, that has been made right with God by the blood of Jesus, we are to praise God.

Second, the fear (reverence) of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Fear is the first principle and chief element in godliness. It is our obedience to God that proves we have mastered the first elements of wisdom-the fear of the Lord. (Falwell)

We can't become wise through life experience or academic knowledge. We must acknowledge God as the source of our wisdom, lest our wise decisions become foolish decisions.

LET IT GO

Acknowledge God as my everything, my wisdom, my Redeemer, and Provider.
You are the One from whom all blessings flow.