Portraits of Our Redeemer
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Psalms 115
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Studying God's Works and Submitting to God's Will
In his sermon on Psalms 111–114, Stephen Davey explains that Psalm 111 celebrates God’s marvelous works—from creation’s wonders like electric eels, migratory birds, and intricate design (noted on page 1) to His acts of redemption—calling believers to study and delight in them. Psalm 112 then shifts to describe the kind of person who fears the Lord, someone whose heart remains steady even in “bad news” (page 2) because he trusts God’s sovereignty. Psalm 113, likely sung at Jewish festivals and perhaps by Jesus and His disciples before His arrest, highlights God’s compassionate care as He stoops to lift the needy and the barren, just as He cared for Hannah. Finally, Psalm 114 recalls Israel’s exodus, the Red Sea, the Jordan River, and Sinai, showing how creation itself obeys God’s commands. Davey concludes that, like the seas and mountains, believers should study God’s works and submit joyfully to His will.
Lord, High Priest, and Coming King
In his sermon on Psalms 107–110, Stephen Davey explains how these psalms celebrate God’s covenant faithfulness, His deliverance in every kind of crisis, and His ultimate rule through Christ. Psalm 107 shows a repeated pattern—crisis, cry, comfort, and confession—reminding believers that God responds when His people call. Psalm 108 highlights that God’s Word never goes out of date, as David reuses earlier lyrics to reaffirm timeless truth. Psalm 109 expresses David’s plea for justice when falsely accused, teaching believers to entrust their reputation to the Lord rather than seek revenge. Psalm 110 then reveals Jesus as King, eternal High Priest, and future Conqueror, the One who will rule from Zion and triumph over every enemy.
Created, Directed, and Remembered by God
In his sermon on Psalms 104–106, Stephen Davey explains how creation, Israel’s history, and God’s covenant faithfulness all call believers to worship and obedience. Psalm 104 magnifies God’s greatness displayed in creation—seen both in the vastness of galaxies and, as the image on page 1 shows, the intricate detail of life—reminding believers that the Creator cares even for the hidden wild donkey in the desert. Psalm 105 traces God’s faithful works for Israel, from His covenant with Abraham to Joseph’s suffering in prison, showing that God’s promises are always fulfilled and often prepare His people through hardship. Psalm 106 then recounts Israel’s repeated failures but highlights God’s mercy—He “remembered His covenant” and rescued them again and again. Davey concludes that while people often forget God, God never forgets His people, and such faithfulness should move believers to gratitude, trust, and obedience.
Convictions and Daily Encouragement
In his sermon on Psalms 101–103, Stephen Davey explains how David’s convictions, the psalmist’s despair, and the call to remember God’s blessings provide a pathway to daily courage and spiritual stability. Psalm 101 records David’s nine “I will” commitments, showing that real conviction must shape private life as much as public leadership. Psalm 102 shifts to an anonymous sufferer who feels overwhelmed and alone, yet finds hope by remembering God’s eternal throne and turning his attention toward helping others in need. Psalm 103 then calls believers to fight spiritual amnesia by recalling God’s benefits—His forgiveness, compassion, and healing of the soul’s deepest discouragements. Together, these psalms show that convictions, prayer, and gratitude steady the heart in seasons of despair.
The Original Thanksgiving Hymn
In his sermon on Psalm 100, Stephen Davey explains how this psalm—uniquely labeled “A Psalm for giving thanks”—teaches believers both how to give thanks to God and why. The psalm opens with three commands describing how to express gratitude: make a joyful noise, lifting thankful voices even when circumstances are dark; serve the Lord with gladness, choosing a grateful attitude as an act of obedience rather than emotion; and come into His presence with singing, remembering that believers have access to the Father because they are held by the hand of His Son. Davey then turns to the reasons for thanksgiving: who God is—the only true God, good, unchanging in His steadfast love, and faithful to every generation—and what God has done—creating each of us intentionally, designing both our strengths and weaknesses, and claiming us as the sheep of His pasture. Gratitude grows when we accept God’s design and depend on His care. Davey concludes with a warning from a parable: discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart. Because anxiety, pride, bitterness, and materialism cannot coexist with true thankfulness, Psalm 100 calls believers to a supernatural, Spirit-enabled choice—to rejoice, serve gladly, sing boldly, and practice gratitude that shines like light in a dark world.
The Lord Reigns
In his sermon on Psalms 96–99, Stephen Davey explains how these “Yahweh Malak” psalms—“The LORD reigns”—call believers to bold worship, confident witness, and joyful submission to the rule of God. Psalm 96 opens with an invitation to sing a new song and to “tell of His salvation,” using a Hebrew word linked with delivering victorious news. Davey compares believers to ancient messengers running to announce triumph—our message being the gospel of Jesus Christ, the true victory over sin and death. Psalm 97 expands this theme by proclaiming that the Lord’s reign extends to the farthest “coastlands,” and that His descending glory, fire, and lightning foreshadow His coming judgment. Yet even in judgment, God preserves the lives of His saints—His redeemed people—who rejoice in His righteousness. Psalm 98 celebrates the Lord’s saving work, repeating the word salvation three times to emphasize that God alone accomplished redemption and now offers it as a free gift, like a gift already paid for by Christ’s sacrifice. Psalm 99 looks forward to the millennial kingdom, when the Lord reigns from Zion as the holy King; the choir’s refrain—“Holy is He”—reverberates through the psalm. Davey concludes that Jesus is not only Savior but King: mighty in judgment, merciful in salvation, holy in character, and worthy of bold proclamation as we carry the good news of His rule into the world.
Created and Guided by Our Creator God
In his sermon on Psalms 93–95, Stephen Davey explains how these three psalms call believers to confidence in God’s sovereignty, comfort in His attentiveness, and obedience to His warnings. Psalm 93, likely written by a Levite returning from Babylonian exile, opens Book Four by declaring, “The LORD reigns,” reminding worshipers that God’s eternal throne stands unmoved by the chaos of nations or the obstacles facing His people. Though life feels like a rising flood, the psalmist insists that God’s power is mightier than the roaring waters, giving believers courage in real time. Psalm 94 then asks whether God truly sees and understands the injustices of a wicked world, and the psalmist answers with creation logic: if God designed the human ear, He can certainly hear; if He formed the eye, He absolutely sees. Davey highlights how this leads to comfort—“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul”—because the Creator who engineered human complexity also attends to His children’s burdens. Psalm 95 calls God’s people to joyful worship and humble responsiveness, celebrating the Lord as Creator, King, and Shepherd while warning both unbelievers and believers not to harden their hearts as Israel once did. Davey concludes that these psalms anchor believers in the truth that they are created, known, guided, and cared for by a sovereign God—One whose voice is to be trusted today, whose power stabilizes every storm, and whose shepherding hand never lets go of His flock.
Counting Down the Days
In his sermon on Psalms 90–92, Stephen Davey explains how these three psalms—beginning with Moses’ prayer in Psalm 90—give believers a wise, worshipful, and realistic perspective on the brevity of life and the faithfulness of God. Psalm 90 confronts us with the shortness and seriousness of life as Moses urges God’s people to “number our days” so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Davey illustrates this with a vase of marbles in his office, each marble representing a remaining month of life—an exercise that is not morbid but motivating, reminding believers to use every remaining “marble” for God’s glory. Moses teaches that life is fragile, fleeting, and full of toil, yet meaningful when lived under God’s favor and for God’s purposes. Psalm 91 then shifts from numbering our days to trusting God with our days. The psalmist describes God as a shelter, shadow, refuge, and fortress—not so believers can coast through life, but so they can confidently engage in ministry with God’s power and presence hovering over them. Finally, Psalm 92—“a song for the Sabbath”—reminds worshipers that it is good to give thanks to the Lord, whose works bring joy and whose nail-pierced hands testify to His redeeming love. Davey highlights that even in old age, the righteous continue to bear fruit, remaining spiritually “full of sap and green,” because God is their rock. He concludes that no matter how many “marbles” remain, every day is a gift to be invested in serving, praising, and representing the Lord faithfully.
Lessons on Loneliness
In his sermon on Psalms 88–89, Stephen Davey explains how these psalms speak honestly to seasons of deep loneliness while pointing believers back to God’s unwavering faithfulness. Psalm 88, written by Heman the Ezrahite—a wise man and temple choir leader—expresses raw isolation: he feels forgotten, abandoned by companions, and even misunderstood by God. Instead of hiding these emotions, Heman pours them out in prayer, modeling two responses for lonely believers: empty your heart before the Lord, bringing Him every fear, frustration, and tear; and embrace the Lord with your heart, recognizing that loneliness can become an invitation to deeper friendship with God, who never leaves His people. Psalm 89 then follows with a needed reminder of God’s steadfast love, covenant promises, and faithfulness across generations. Ethan the Ezrahite recounts God’s power in Israel’s history and His unbreakable promise to place a Son of David on the throne—a promise ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Though circumstances sometimes make God feel distant, Davey emphasizes that God is always working behind the scenes, setting the stage for what He will accomplish next. These psalms teach believers not to judge God’s faithfulness by emotions or appearances but to anchor their hearts in His unchanging Word, trusting that the God who meets them in loneliness is the same God who keeps every promise forever.
How to Make a Fresh Start With God
In his sermon on Psalms 85–87, Stephen Davey explains how these psalms guide believers into genuine spiritual renewal, showing that fresh beginnings with God always flow from confession, dependence on His Word, and confidence in His future promises. Psalm 85, written by the sons of Korah, teaches that revival begins not with unbelievers but with God’s people—those who confess their sin, rejoice in forgiveness, and ask God to “revive us again” so that joy in Him may be restored. Davey then turns to Psalm 86, where David models this renewed walk by praying Scripture-saturated prayers, demonstrating that no believer can enjoy closeness with God while maintaining a casual relationship with God’s Word. Psalm 87 shifts from present renewal to future hope, celebrating the coming millennial kingdom in which all who have been “born in Zion”—a figurative picture of being born again through faith in Christ—will reign with Him as citizens of His eternal city. Davey concludes by urging believers who feel spiritually dry, directionless, or distant to return to God’s Word, remember their salvation, and make a fresh start today with the God who delights to revive His people.