Prayer Revival: Psalm 34

Summer In Psalms: The Power In Praise

Story: music sets the tone

Sets the tone of the atmosphere and your life

Passage: Psalm 34:1-5 (CSB)

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will boast in the Lord;

the humble will hear and be glad.

3 Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;

let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me

and rescued me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant with joy;

their faces will never be ashamed.

Pray:

Background:

David had put himself in a dangerous encounter with the Philistines in Gath, which is recorded in 1 Samuel 21. Afterward he fled to a cave. It was out of that experience in Gath that David shares this Psalm on how to keep out of tight situations and live a life pleasing to God.

This passage is one of the psalms most quoted in the New Testament. It’s also very popular in our modern worship songs today.

Main Points: Characteristics of Praise

1. Persistent in every season (V1-2)
   1. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad.
   2. Praise here means actual praise. Not theoretical praise. It is vocal singing of a spontaneous song or hymn. This type of praise is lifting up your voice to the heavens.

   3. Praising God or Praising Self

      1. Question: does much of your praise consist of you bragging on yourself? Your achievements? Your discipline? Your victories?
      2. Praising self results in very short term and temporary glory. Praising God results in an everlasting reward.

      3. But it’s not always easy to ALWAYS praise God!

         4. Praise God…

      4. when you’re angry

      5. when you are afraid
      6. when you are tired
      7. when you don’t get the answer you want
      8. when you feel like he isn’t there
      9. when you want to walk away

      10. when you can’t make it another day

          5. Here’s how I’d apply that: praise shifts both the atmosphere and your attitude

      11. You could be having the worst day, put on some worship jams and feel things start to shift.

          6. Praise God in the storm

      12. Just because your circumstances change, doesn’t mean He’s any less good, any less in control, or any less faithful.

          7. It doesn’t say…

      13. I will bless you sometimes. Your praise will be on my lips… most of the time.

      14. But this is often how we live our lives. Right?

      15. Jesus is worthy of our praise in EVERY season and at ALL times! Do you believe that today?

          8. Boast Definition = talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.

      16. Not speaking of a prideful heart, but of a humble spirit.

      17. Not look what I did to get myself out of that mess, but look what God did for me! Isn’t he good! Isn’t he powerful!
      18. Proud people talk about things they’re impressed by. It just so happens that oftentimes that is ourselves.
      19. “Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 1:31 NLT
          9. Don’t miss out on praise

      20. Proclaims the greatness of God (3)

          1. Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together.
          2. Illust: The greatness of Daddy

      21. Your kids think that daddy can do anything, but then the older they get they realize that’s not entirely true.

      22. But the opposite is true of God.

          3. Passionate worshipers = Desperate for His presence

      23. I don’t want to be a passive worshiping church. I want us to cry out to God! Fall on our knees before God! Shout His praises into the streets! He is worthy of our praise and our all!

      24. Passion isn’t about being loud, it’s about showing love. When you love a sports team you cheer.

          4. 10 things we can praise God for every day

      25. Salvation

      26. A Fresh Start
      27. Purpose
      28. Creation
      29. Eternal Life
      30. Peace In Any Situation
      31. An Abundant Life
      32. The Local Church
      33. The Word of God
      34. Hope For Tomorrow

      35. Provides answers and relief (4-5)

          1. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed.
          2. I call, you answer

      36. This is the pattern of God. He isn’t ignoring you, he’s not busy, he hears you and responds.

      37. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry for help.” - Psalm 34:15 CSB
      38. Illust: rafting

      39. “When I call you answer…”

          3. We seek Him when we need Him, but do we praise Him when we need Him? I believe as we see in this text we are called to both.

      40. “I will bless the Lord at all times;” & “I sought the Lord, and he answered”

      41. Anybody have that friend? You see the phone ring and you already know they’re about to ask you for something.

          4. What is your greatest weapon against the enemy? How do you fight your battles?

      42. Here’s how I’d apply that: few things push back the attacks of the enemy like God’s people crying out to Him in prayer and passionate praise! It is God who answers and rescues. David’s fear was of his enemies. Ours may be different, but the same God meets it.

      43. “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” - 1 John 4:18 NLT

          5. A rescued person is a radiant person

      44. Illust: Pic of Old Me

      45. Radiant definition = sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.

      46. Illust: Getting your driver's license

          6. “no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” Psalm 34:5 NLT

      47. Shame taints. Shame distorts. Shame distracts.

      48. You can only experience all God has called you to be in the face of grace. When you come face to face with Jesus, his radiance overwhelms you. His grace overflows out of you.

Closing: “I just want to be where you are…”

Jeremiah 29:13

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” NLT

“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” CSB

Have you ever been praising God and looked around… cause we all do it. :) And you notice someone worshipping with tears in their eyes?

God doing what He does best:

• Healing the hurting.
• Restoring the broken.
• Comforting the weary.
• Breaking chains that have been bound for decades.
• Giving clarity in uncertain seasons.

When we pray God responds and He comes to our rescue!

That’s why nothing can shift an atmosphere quite like praise, because it’s not about us, but about what God wants to do through us! We glorify His name, worship His name, sing unto His name, and He begins to fill us up, convict our lives, and renew our spirit. If you want that tonight then somebody say “Amen.”