2025.03.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 16:13–17

Read Matthew 16:13–17

Questions from the Scripture text: To what region does Jesus come in Matthew 16:13? What does He ask His disciples? What four answers do they offer (Matthew 16:14)? What follow-up question does He ask in Matthew 16:15? Who answers (Matthew 16:16)? What two-part answer does he give? Who answers Simon Peter in Matthew 16:17? What does He say about him? Whose son (“Bar-“) does He say Simon is? Whom does He say has not revealed this to him? Whom does He say has revealed it? 

How does one come to rest upon Jesus as Christ and God? Matthew 16:13–17 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that sovereign grace is what gives to people to rest upon Jesus as Christ and God.  

Jesus is building His church. He is the One Who instigates this reaction (Matthew 16:13). By asking the question, He prompts them to catalog some of the opinions they have heard. They conveniently leave out “Beelzebul” (cf. Matthew 12:24). 

But the point is made: although there happen to be many opinions about Christ, His identity is not, in fact, a matter of opinion. Jesus now presses this truth upon them by asking, “But y’all—who do y’all say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15, more literally translated). 

When Simon answers the plurally asked question, he does so as representative of the 12. But Jesus’s response to him is very individual. Although the twelve know, corporately, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus’s response in Matthew 16:17 makes it clear that this is something that each individual comes to be convinced of only by sovereign grace.

Jesus’s identity is a fact, a reality, that it takes sovereign grace to reveal to someone. The language of “revealed” here is very important. Jesus has testified to Himself many times, and Simon has believed that testimony. Jesus’s works have testified to Him many times, and Simon has believed those works. But, this belief has come not by the operation of his human faculties (“flesh and blood”) but by the operation upon him of divine grace (“My Father Who is in heaven.”) 

Although Jesus is speaking to Simon in the singular in Matthew 16:18-19, he continues to represent the twelve, as evidenced by Matthew 16:19, especially. Nowhere in the rest of the New Testament does Peter act with independent authority from, or above, the other apostles. In the frightening case of Acts 5:1–11, the other apostles are with him (cf. end of Acts 5:2). 

And in the most obvious, deliberate, exercise of the keys, it actually seems to be James (cf. Acts 15:13), the brother of Jesus, who is moderating the assembly of apostles and elders (cf. Acts 15:6). There, the exercise of the keys expresses what the Holy Spirit has previously determined (cf. Acts 15:28), just as Matthew 16:19 says here. The most literal translation of the two verbs is “will have been loosed,” indicated something that will have already been completed before the future event in question.

So, when we come to the nicknaming of Simon as “Peter” (i.e., “Rock”), and the reference to building the church, we must remember that his response to Christ represents the apostles as a whole and that Jesus’s response to him is one that is true of every believer: people only come to faith when the Father reveals it to them. Jesus is the Christ, the promised Prophet, Priest, and King. And He is the Son of the Living God: not merely “a son of God” as is sometimes said of men and angels and Adam, but the Son of the Living God, the One Whose sonship was and is and is to come. For a sinner to hope in Jesus as this Christ and this Son can only be a work of sovereign grace in his heart.

Whom do you believe Christ to be? How does your interaction with Him show that you believe this?

Sample prayer:  Father, thank You for convincing us that Jesus is the Christ, Your eternal Son. Give us to listen to Him as Prophet, to come near to You through Him as Priest, and to follow Him and trust Him as King. And grant that we would trust in Him as our God and Savior, together with You and with Your Spirit, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP110B “The LORD Has Spoken to My Lord” or TPH332 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”

Offspring of Rebellion [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 1:19–46]

Of what must each generation be reminded? Deuteronomy 1:19–46 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that every generation must be reminded of the dangers of unbelief and rebellion, and of our need of God’s grace to make us trusting, loving, submissive, and obedient.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.02.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 1:19–46

Read Deuteronomy 1:19–46

Questions from the Scripture text: From where did they depart (v19)? Through where did they go? How was the route determined? To where did they come? How did Moses describe that hill country (v20)? What did he say was happening to it? What triple command did he give (v21, cf. v8)? Who did what in v22? What did they say to do? Of what were the men to bring back word? What did Moses think of this (v23)? Whom did he take? What did they do (v24)? What did they take and bring (v25)? What else did they bring? What did they say about the land? But what wouldn’t the people do (v26)? What did they do? Where did they complain (v27)? What did they say about YHWH? Why did they say He had brought them out of Egypt? What did they blame for their response (v28)? How did Moses answer (v29)? What is his answer (v30) to the question in v28? In addition to the power displayed in how He saved them from Egypt (v30), what else had YHWH displayed toward them in the wilderness (v31)? But how did they respond (v32)? Despite His having done what (v33)? Who heard their answer (v34)? How did He respond? What did He now swear, despite what He had previously sworn (v35)? Whom did YHWH except from this judgment (v36, cf. v38)? With whom was YHWH also angry (v37)? Whom did YHWH promise would enter and possess the land (v39)? But to where did He now direct the rebellious generation (v40)? What did they now tell whom that they had done (v41)? But which command do they now want to obey, by doing what? What does YHWH have to say to this (v42)? And what does Moses say to them (v43)? But what do they do to YHWH? And what do they try? With what results (v44)? And how did they respond to this defeat (v45)? But how does YHWH receive their weeping prayers? With what ongoing outcome (v46)?  

Of what must each generation be reminded? Deuteronomy 1:19–46 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that every generation must be reminded of the dangers of unbelief and rebellion, and of our need of God’s grace to make us trusting, loving, submissive, and obedient.

Again, the text reminds us that, forty years ago, Israel was right on the cusp of entering the land (v21). The spy-mission plan pleases Moses (v23), and is permitted by the Lord, and indeed the report is good (v25). But their response is bad (v26). v27 gives us a subtle detail, easy to miss but important to learn from: the public rebellion began with what they told themselves in their tents. Let us beware of harboring unbelief and ingratitude in our hearts and our homes, lest they infect our church and bring God’s chastening down upon her!

The unbelief in v28 is worse than thinking too much of the Amorites. It is much, much worse to think too little of God (v30)! Do you consider that? That when you decide that you are going to be able to make it, you are either denying that God is with you, or that God is able, or both. But He had amply demonstrated His power (v30), love (v31) and faithfulness (v33) to them—just as He has to you, dear reader.

Note that although the generation being now addressed is the one named in v39, Moses still addresses them in the second person. They didn’t commit the rebellion of their fathers actively, but they were “in” their fathers when they did so, and their fathers’ rebellion is in them. They need to be reminded and warned against unbelief and rebellion. And so do we. We have all sinned in our first father, Adam. Unbelief and rebellion is in all of us. 

A symptom of this rebellion is seen even in our “repentance,” sometimes. One wonders what Israel were thinking, complaining against going into the land. For, as soon as the Lord commands them back into the wilderness (v40), they are suddenly ready to go into the land (v41)! “We have sinned!” they cry—even as they re proposing to disobey again. The self-deception of the religious feelings in their tears (v45) is exposed by their persistence in disobedience and ingratitude. We know that this was not true contrition, for the Lord Who loves (and gives!) true contrition (cf. Ps 34:18, 51:17; Is 55:17, 66:2) rejects their cry.

What should we say, then? We should say what God was saying, as He is preparing them to hear the rest of this sermon: when we are commanded and convicted by His Word, we must respond by His grace. We must respond in faith, remembering Who He is, and making Him our chief consideration in every circumstance. We must respond in sincerity, that is both sentiment and obedience, “wholly following YHWH” (v36). We cannot afford to indulge doubting, grumbling, or rebellion. Not even “in our tents” (v27). 

The Lord is still the same powerful, loving, faithful God to us now, as He was to them, then. In fact, He has made much greater demonstration of this in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And He is therefore worthy of all of our thanks, trust, love, and obedience. Indeed, He is able to give it to us, which He does by means of His Word and Spirit, which is why He has given you to worship Him through this passage just now, dear reader. Look to Him for that grace!

In what part of your life are you tempted to consider the obstacles that you face more than Him with Whom you face them? How do you guard against the assumption that your religious feelings are sincere? What has the renewed submission of true repentance looked like in your life? What is some of the history of God’s power and love and faithfulness in your own life? How do you combine that with the account of those things in Scripture, to form your understanding of Him and interaction with Him?

Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You and praise You for being the powerful God, Who brought Israel out of Egypt and have provided the righteousness and atonment of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we thank You and praise You for being the loving God, Who carried Israel like a man does His Son, and Who allows nothing to separate us from Your love, which is in Christ Jesus. And we thank You and praise You for being the faithful God, Who went in the way with Israel by cloud and fire, and Who never leaves us nor forsakes us, but constantly attends us by Your Holy Spirit. Grant, by Your same Spirit, that we would have truly contrite hearts before You, as demonstrated in lives of submission and obedience, by the grace of Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP51B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” or TPH394 “Eternal Spirit, God of Truth” 

Slain for the Sovereign Lamb [Family Worship lesson in Revelation 6:9–11]

What are believers in glory waiting for? Revelation 6:9–11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers in glory are waiting for the ingathering of all the elect, and the subsequent vindication of the judgment of God.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.02.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 6:9–11

Read Revelation 6:9–11

Questions from the Scripture text: What did the Lamb open in v9? Where did John see? What? Of whom? For what two things had they been slain? What did they do (v10)? With what sort of voice? What is the primary question? What do they call the Lord? About the timing of what two actions are they asking? What was given to them (v11)? What were they to do? For how long? Until what two numbers were completed?

What are believers in glory waiting for? Revelation 6:9–11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers in glory are waiting for the ingathering of all the elect, and the subsequent vindication of the judgment of God.

What they are waiting for. Persecution, and the punishment of it, are under the sovereign authority of the Lamb. It is He Who opens the seal that initiates the exchange in v10–11. The devil violently hates the church, and his seed are at enmity with the seed of the woman. Until the return of Christ, believers will be violently persecuted. Jesus warned about this (Jn 16:2–3, 33). The apostle warned about this (2Tim 3:12). 

If you are a Christian, you should not expect to be excepted. But, you may certainly expect that God will judge and avenge the blood of His saints. This is not a vindictive cry, which would contradict Mt 5:44, Lk 23:34, Ac 7:60, Rom 10:1, etc. But it is a desire that the justice of God would be vindicated. And it is  loud cry (v10). They love God’s justice and the vindication of it.

The nature of their waiting. But believers who are slain for the Word of God and their testimony to Christ (v9) are not defeated. In fact, thy have overcome (cf. 12:11). Here, their souls are in glory—even right under the altar (v9)! And they are dressed in white (v11)—indicating that they are both counted righteous before God and constituted righteous by God. And their waiting is described as “rest.”

The purpose of the delay. Why is God waiting? If He loves His church so much, and the vindication of His justice is on the line, what is so important that it could delay judgment? There are two numbers that need to be completed. 

First, the number of their fellow servants and their brethren (v11). The Lord has elected particular people to everlasting life, and Jesus will not return until they have all been brought to a saving knowledge of Christ, adopted as children of the Father, and been indwelt by the Spirit of the Son (cf. 2Pet 3:9). 

The second number that must be completed is the number of those who would be killed as they were. The honor of being martyred for Christ is a great one, and none of those for whom it has been determined will miss out on that honor. Furthermore, it is a set number. It happens according to the wise plan and loving foreknowledge of God. 

The persecution of believers is under the sovereign authority of the Lamb. If you are to suffer, or even perish, for Christ, dear reader, you can be sure that it happens by His own “opening of the seal.” As the Lamb, He is carrying out the sovereign decree that also belongs to Him as “the One Who sits upon the throne.” 

What persecution have you suffered? What persecution might you suffer? Who is in control of it? Why does He permit it to continue?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for our unwillingness to suffer, or even die, for the word of God and for the testimony of the gospel. And forgive us, on the other hand, for not loving Your justice enough that we would cry out to You with a loud voice for that justice to be vindicated. Forgive us for not being as patient as You are for Christ’s return, because we do not desire as You do that none should perish, but that all of the elect should come to the knowledge of the truth. Forgive us, and cleanse us, we pray, until we wear the white robes of holiness in glory, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP109A “God of My Praise” or TPH404 “The Church’s One Foundation” 

2025.02.26 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

Click below for the:

February 26 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 11:15–31 sermon outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

IF you are unable to get the stream to work, or simply wish to save on data, you can listen in simply by calling 712.432.3410 and entering 70150 at the prompt.

Each week we livestream the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster.

Sentenced to an Eternity of Love [Family Worship lesson in Hosea 2:2–3:5]

How does God answer His church’s infidelity? Hosea 2:2–3:5 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God answers His church’s infidelity by wooing her back to Himself.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.02.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Hosea 2:2–3:5

Read Hosea 2:2–3:5

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the Lord say to whom (Hosea 2:2a)? Why (verse 2b)? What must she do (verse 2c–d)? Otherwise, what will He do with her (Hosea 2:3)? To whom else will He not do what (Hosea 2:4a)? Why (verse 4b)? What their mother done (Hosea 2:5a–b)? Whom had she gone after (verse 5c)? What did she credit them with (verse 5d–f)? What will He do to/for her (Hosea 2:6)? As a result, what will she try to do, but with what success (Hosea 2:7a–c)? What will this compel her to do (verse 7d–f)? Who had actually given her the things from Hosea 2:5 (Hosea 2:8a–c)? But for whom had they employed them (verse 8d)? So, what will He do with those things now (Hosea 2:9)? With what effect upon her false gods (Hosea 2:10)? And with what effect upon her false worship (Hosea 2:11)? Whom had she credit for what else, and what will the Lord do to those things (Hosea 2:12)? What will He do to her (Hosea 2:13a)? For what (verse 13b–e)? How else will He respond to her harlotries (Hosea 2:14)? What will He give her (Hosea 2:15a-b)? With what effect upon her (verse 15c–e)? Then, what will she do (Hosea 2:16)? What will He keep her from doing (Hosea 2:17)? What will He make for them (Hosea 2:18a)? Who/what else will be considered in this covenant (verse 18b–f)? What will He do in this covenant (Hosea 2:19a–b)? What will He produce in them (Hosea 2:19-20a)? What benefit will they enjoy (Hosea 2:20b)? What benefit will be produced in the earth for them (Hosea 2:21-22d)? What day will secure all of this (Hosea 2:22e, cf. Hosea 1:11e)? What (whom) else will the Lord sow in the earth (Hosea 2:23a)? What will He have upon whom (verse 23b)? What will He say to whom (verse 23c–d)? What will they say (verse 23e)? How is Hosea to be an example of the sort of husband that YHWH will be, in restoring Israel (Hosea 3:1)? What does Hosea have to do to reobtain his wife (Hosea 3:2)? What renewed arrangement does he offer her (Hosea 3:3)? What will the Lord remove from Israel for a time, as a sign of their being covenantally disowned for that time (Hosea 3:4)? For how long? But, by the grace of YHWH, what will they do afterward (Hosea 3:5)?

How does God answer His church’s infidelity? Hosea 2:2–3:5 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God answers His church’s infidelity by wooing her back to Himself.

The Shameful Situation in which the Love of God Finds Itself, Hosea 2:2-13. What the situation calls for (Hosea 2:3). The instructions are given to the sons of Judah and Israel (Hosea 2:1 “say” is plural), so the woman in view in all these verses is a personified Image of Israel herself.  Because of the way the previous section ended, it is reasonable to assume that this refers to both the northern and southern kingdoms.  The sons of Israel are called to plead with her that she might turn, for the alternative to her turning is her destruction. 

Why the situation is so drastic (Hosea 2:4-5, Hosea 2:8). The offenses of God’s people are as pitiful as they are great.  Not only have they fornicated themselves with other gods; they have convinced themselves that the blessings which they enjoy are from those gods rather than from the hand of YHWH (cf. Deuteronomy 8:18–19). 

The appropriate and remedial chastening that grace inflicts (Hosea 2:6-7, Hosea 2:9-13b). We see here the way that grace responds to ingratitude. It removes the blessing.  This seems harsh, but by the time we finish with verse Hosea 2:14, we will agree that it is gracious. Likewise, grace responds to ignorance of one’s sin by exposing it (Hosea 2:10), and it responds to revelry in one’s sin by eliminating the ability to do so (Hosea 2:11). 

The sum of the situation (Hosea 2:13c–e). The “Me” in verse 13 is emphatic in the Hebrew. Not only does this emphasize the pronoun itself, but the sentence as a whole. The structure of the paragraph puts the last sentence in the place of a legal verdict.  Hosea 2:2-13b read as a list of the charges, and the verdict is given in the language of Deuteronomy 8:19: “‘Me she forgot,’ says YHWH.”

O, dear reader, what an evil thing our ingratitude is! It is no less than the forgetting of our covenant God, the failure to know Him in our lives. And individuals, and whole churches, are capable of doing this simply by crediting the good things that they have to other things, and therefore devoting themselves more to those things.

The Surprising Solution with which God’s Love Responds, Hosea 2:14-15. The verdict having been given, Hosea 2:14 is the sentence.  And what a sentence it is! Verse 14 uses the judgment formula to describe YHWH alluring Israel.  If the image offends you, it should! It is quite offensive that the Lord would stoop to wooing the church, particularly in her sin. 

Here, in the part of the legal formula ordinarily reserved for judgment, we see the resolve of the greatest Lover of all time to win back His bride. Rather than condemn her, He is determined to restore the relationship back to when they were first betrothed and married (Hosea 2:15).

Is this not amazing? “You are guilty, therefore I will love you even more intensely and effectually”! What a mercy, when the Lord comes this way to a congregation and revives/reforms her. And what an everlasting mercy, when He comes to the perishing soul, and says the same thing to it in Christ!

The Successful Seduction of God’s Love, Hosea 2:16-23. The verbs in Hosea 2:16 are statements, not commands. YHWH is just telling what is certain to happen. Hosea 2:17 is stated with finality, and the language of ‘covenant’ in Hosea 2:18 conveys security. The term “cut” (NKJ, “make”), here, implies a new covenant altogether, and the description emphasizes that it will last forever. The difference between the two covenants is then detailed. In this covenant, YHWH provides her the means to keep her end (Hosea 2:19-20). This is a covenant with the visible church that will be instated when Christ is her Mediator. Hosea 2:21-23 describe the blessedness of this new covenant in the language of the original covenant blessings of Deuteronomy 8:7–10 and Leviticus 26:10–12—blessings which had been forfeited (cf. Hosea 2:2-13b). 

But not just the external blessings of Hosea 2:21-22, but the internal blessings of giving her the faithfulness that she had previously lacked (Hosea 2:19-20), and the most important relational blessings of knowing Him and being His (Hosea 2:23). What is being done for the church as a whole must necessarily be done for every elect believer. When the great day comes, visible and invisible church will be one, and both the members and the whole will have the Lord’s own righteousness, justice, steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness both entirely expressed unto them, and graciously reflected in them. Hallelujah!

The Stunning Symbol of God’s Love’s Mechanism, Hosea 3:1–5. YHWH again puts Hosea into action to demonstrate how His own, divine love works. This time, Hosea must recover his wife—whose harlotry has been so complete that he actually has to purchase her (Hosea 3:1)!

We must be careful again not to focus on Hosea and Gomer. The real story is about YHWH and His church. Through Hosea’s action, He gives us an image of the mechanism by which grace recovers the adulterous bride. In the greatness of the shedding of Christ’s blood (n.b. “Jezreel,” Hosea 2:22e), YHWH purchases His people back at a price. 

As with Hosea 2:16, the verbs in Hosea 3:3 (and Hosea 3:5) are all statements, rather than commands. Gomer will certainly be faithful now, because YHWH will make his people to dwell in faithfulness “in the latter days.” Hosea 3:4 is not  punishment, but a statement of how, for “many days” (i.e., an indefinite period of time), His church will live without all these things with which they have fornicated. Lacking earthly king or priest might anticipate the exile, but more than that, it is about when “YHWH their God” comes as “David their King,” i.e. our Lord Jesus Christ! 

What things do you treat (or are you devoted to) in a way that implies that you credit those things for the good things that the Lord gives you? How has the Lord spoken kindly to you, to turn you back to Himself? How has He also made the “competition” to fail you, so that you would turn back to Him? In Whom is the church already what she ought to be? How sure is she to be made to be like Him, so that she will be how she ought to be? How is that also sure for you, yourself, and what difference does this confidence make in your everyday Christian life?

Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us, we pray. We deserve to have You put us away, and to withhold mercy from us. For, we have often treated created things, and even imaginary things, as if the good that we receive comes from them and not from You. Truly does Your Word describe this in terms of having false lovers, and we are ashamed of it. Grant that every false thing that we pursue would fail us. Turn us back to our first love and our heavenly Husband. Come, as Your Word says, and allure us, and speak comfort to us. Make us sing as we did when we You first bound us to Yourself. Make us to call You our husband, instead of our Baal. Give us Your own righteousness, justice, steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness. Both demonstrate them to us, and produce reflections of them in us. Most of all, make us to remember You and know You. Say to us “My people,” and make us to say to You, “My God,” by Your Spirit, which we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP51AB “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”

The Privilege of Praise [Family Worship lesson in Psalm 135]

Why should God’s people praise Him? Psalm 135 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-on verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s people should praise Him, because it is their inheritance to do so, and He is eminently worthy of it. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2025.02.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 135

Read Psalm 135

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does Psalm 135:1a call us to praise? What, specifically (verse 1b)? Whom does it urge (verse 1c)? Where do they stand (Psalm 135:2)? Why praise Him (Psalm 135:3a)? Why else (verse 3b)? Whom has YHWH chosen (Psalm 135:4a)? For Whom? As what (verse 4b)? What does the psalmist know about YHWH (Psalm 135:5a)? Whose Lord is He (verse 5b)? How exalted is He? What does He do (Psalm 135:6a)? Where (verse 6b–c)? What types of things does He cause in the general creation (Psalm 135:7)? Whom did He destroy (Psalm 135:8)? For what purpose (Psalm 135:9)? Whom did He defeat (Psalm 135:10-11)? What did He do with their land (Psalm 135:12)? How long will His Name be known (Psalm 135:13a)? How long will His fames last (verse 13b)? Why, what will He do for whom (Psalm 135:14a)? And what else for whom (verse 14b)? Who cannot do such things (Psalm 135:15)? Why, what are they made of (verse 15a)? What are they (verse 15b)? What things do they have, and in what ways are they useless (Psalm 135:16-17)? Who else become like this (Psalm 135:18a)? Who else (verse 18b)? What does Psalm 135:19a call whom to do (verse 19a)? Whom else (verse 19b)? Whom else (Psalm 135:20a)? Whom else (verse 20b)? Who is to be blessed from where (Psalm 135:21a)? Who dwell there (verse 21b)? How does verse 21c conclude the Psalm? As an inclusio with what (cf. Psalm 135:1a)?

Why should God’s people praise Him? Psalm 135 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-on verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s people should praise Him, because it is their inheritance to do so, and He is eminently worthy of it.   

The Lord’s Name is to be praised (Psalm 135:1b, Psalm 135:3b). It is the special privilege of His chosen (Psalm 135:4) to do so. They may stand in His house (Psalm 135:2a) and its courts (verse 2b), because they are His servants (Psalm 135:1c). 

In Psalm 135:1-4, it is His goodness (Psalm 135:3a) and pleasantness (verse 3b) that are the focus of this praise. 

Then, in Psalm 135:5-7, the Lord’s greatness is the focus of this praise. He is great in His almighty, free, sovereign providence (Psalm 135:6-7). There is nothing that He cannot do (Psalm 135:5)! (as opposed to the “all gods” who are the idols that cannot do anything, Psalm 135:15-17). 

Third, in Psalm 135:8-12, the Lord’s faithfulness is the focus of this praise. He delivered them from their captors (Psalm 135:8-9), and He delivered their enemies into their hands (Psalm 135:10-11), in order to give them what He had promised as their inheritance (Psalm 135:12).

Finally, in Psalm 135:13-13, the Name and fame of the Lord are forever (Psalm 135:13), because His delivering His people and having compassion on His servants is forever (Psalm 135:14). It is foolish to love money, or any false god; they cannot love you back.

What true worship can makers, or trusters, of idols offer? None at all; they are like their idols (Psalm 135:18).

But the chosen of the good, great, faithful, just, and compassionate God… true worship is their great privilege and inheritance (Psalm 135:19)! His worship is the inheritance of the house of Israel (verse 19a). Leading His worship is the inheritance of the house of Aaron (verse 19b). Facilitating His worship is the inheritance of the house of Levi (Psalm 135:20). 

The Lord makes His dwelling among those who fear Him (Psalm 135:21), blessing them from there, unto His praise.

Dear reader, how great is the inheritance of them who are chosen to be worshipers of the true and living God! Is this your inheritance? The praise the Lord, bless the Lord, and sing praises to His Name. Praise the Lord!

How does your valuing of worship compare to its value in this Psalm? What place has God’s goodness had in your praises of Him? What place has God’s supreme sovereignty had in your praises of Him? What place has God’s faithfulness had in your praises of Him? What place have God’s saving acts and persistent compassion had in your praises of Him?

Sample prayer:  We praise You, O Lord. We prise Your Name, as Your servants, in Your house. Help us sing praise to Your Name, for it is pleasant. Truly, You are great above all gods. You do whatever You please in heaven and earth, in the seas and in all deep places! Volcanoes, lightning storms, and hurricanes are all at Your beck and call. You have been faithful to all Your promises, and saved us with a great salvation. No invention of men could do any of this, least of all have compassion upon us. Your greatest compassion has been to choose us for Yourself, as Your special treasure, that we might have the privilege of worshiping You forever and ever. Give us to claim that privilege today, and our whole life long, until You bring us into Your glory, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested Songs: ARP135A “Hallelujah! Praise the LORD’s Name” or TPH135 “O Praise the LORD! His Praise Proclaim!”