" I JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT MY LORD "

Psalm 34:1-10

***Introduction***

As we approach this Psalm, we notice in the heading, three facts.

[a] THE WHO CONNECTED TO THIS PSALM

[b] THE WHEN CONNECTED TO THIS PSALMWe can trace as its origin a time of great difficulty in David's life. The historical basis is to be found recorded in I Sam.21.

[c] THE WHAT CONNECTED TO THIS PSALM

The one thing that we may or cannot with a full sense clarity determine is .....

[d] THE WHY CONNECTED TO THIS PSALMWHY, would such a man as David .... of whom The LORD testifies ......

Ac.13:22 he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

* WHY Would He Be So FEARFUL Of Saul?

* WHY Would He Be So FALSE With Ahimelech?

* WHY Would He Be So FOOLISH Before Achish?

We may not know with certainty what could be the DECIDING FACTORS but we DO KNOW what was the DRIVING FORCE! Every man bears within, that yoke of the "Old Man" - Adam. That savage warfare between "Flesh and Spirit" is ever present! Though this is painfully true, we have this hope to cling to, just as David did.

Ps.37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.

Being driven from Philistia, David escapes to the Cave of Adullam [A Testimony To Them] and it is here (the place of Testimony) that the Mystery work of Grace does its work in David.

We do not know all that transpired between God and David there in the cave, we may not have all that God was revealing to him there but we do have the Results of that work. This Psalm.

Our Psalm appears to divide naturally into two parts ......

*** We Find INSPIRATION v.1-10
A Word For The LORD

*** We Find INSTRUCTION v.11-22
A Word From The LORD

In these first ten verses we sense the air of excitement in David as he begins to give honor to the one who Has Delivered and Will Deliver.

I. PRAISE FROM THE SAINTS: v.1-3

1. PURPOSED TO PRAISE v.1

David was a man who had his mind made up and set himself not to be Deterred or Detoured from giving to the LORD glory and honor. I'm reminded ..

* To purpose is to "settle on"

Da.1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank:

Ac.11:23 Who when he came and had seen the grace of God was glad and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord

Praise is a matter of the heart!

A. David Praised God From A Fixed Heart

Psa.57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

B. David Praised God From A Faithful Heart

Text v.1 "all times" "continually be"

Psa.71:6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

Heb.13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sac- rifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

C. David Praised God From A Full Heart

* If our hearts stay full of Heavenly things; no room may be found for earthly things.

SPURGEON "He who praises God for mercies, shall never want a mercy for which to praise."

2. PRIORITY OF PRAISE v.1 "continually be"

A. The Desire Of David's Statement

B. The Depth Of David's Statement

C. The Difficulty Of David's Statement

3. PROSPECT THROUGH PRAISE v.2-3

David was thoroughly convinced that as he offer- ed praise there would be glorious results.

A. Hearing About The LORD

"my soul shall...boast" halal celebration

"Humble" Those who are in a depressed state, whether it be of mind or circumstances.

"hear" to hear with understanding (intelligent)

B. Happy In the LORD "be glad" rejoicing

C. Honor To The LORD v.3

Through the course of the day as I thought on the text before us, three Great Words came to my soul. These three words seem to lend a fuller scope to the early verses. v.1-3

* JUBILATION - Offerings Of Praise v.1

The Offering Of A Holy Heart

Ps.97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

The Offering Of A Happy Heart

Ps.9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Ps.68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

The Offering Of A Humble Heart

Joel 2:23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first [month].

* INSPIRATION - Outpourings Of Praise v.2

* HABITATION - Occupation Of Praise v.3

Ps.22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabit- est the praises of Israel.

It Is A Furnished Place For God To Occupy

This is not to say that we control the LORD, but rather that He has chosen to occupy in a special way, the PRAISES of His People.

It Is A Fitting Place For God To Occupy

It Is A Favored Place For God To Occupy

II. PURSUIT BY THE SAINTS: v.4-6

1. APPEALING FOR HELP "I sought the LORD"

Through the course of David's writings, he often speaks of seeking or calling on the LORD. David was a man ...............

A. Who Sought God Early

Psa.71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: [thou art] my trust from my youth.

B. Who Sought God Earnestly

Psa.63:1 O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

C. Who Sought God Eagerly

Psa.27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee Thy face LORD, will I seek.

D. Who Sought God Expectantly

Psa.9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

2. ASSURANCE OF A HEARING v.4-5

A. Personal Experiences v.4 [past tense]

B. Past Examples v.5

Rom.15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

* David had the assurance in his heart that his LORD never changes.

3. ASSISTANCE FROM HEAVEN v.6

A. Humble Pleadings

B. Heaven's Power

[a] The LORD Heard

[b] The LORD Helped

III. PROTECTION WITH THE SAINTS: v.7

1. THE CONFLICTS ALONG THE WAY

A. Conflicts Within v.4 "fears"

B. Conflicts Without v.6 "troubles"

2. THE COMPANION FOR THE WAY

"Angel of the LORD" used twice in the Psalms, here and in Psa.35:5.

* Here He Is Protecting The Saints From Peril

* There He Is Pursuing Sinners For Punishment

* He is the ever present Defender and Deliverer of God's children.

[Delivering Israel From Pharaoh]

Ex.14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

[Delivering Elijah From Jezebel]

I Ki.19:7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

I Ki.19:8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

[Delivering Jerusalem From Sennacharib]

Isa.37:36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

ALL THIS WOULD TELL US ........

A. He Is Conscious Of Both The Seen And The Unseen Circumstances Of Our Life

B. He Is Capable To Deal With Anything In Our Life

C. He Is A Comforter In Every Area Of Life

3. THE CAUTION IN THE WAY

"them that FEAR Him"

IV. PROVISIONS FOR THE SAINTS: v.8-10

It will be good for us to look back and see who were possibly the first recipients of this Testimony. I Sam.22:2

* Here were men who had seemingly lost all hope, and now David will encourage their hearts.

1. EXPERIENCE v.8

2. EXHORTATION v.9

3. EXPECTATION v.10

A. Young Lion Speaks Of Strength

B. Young Lion Speaks Of Swiftness

C. Young Lion Speaks Of Stamina

Sermon From Ron Lovins

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