"Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. In the company of the upright and the assembly." Psalm 111:1
Why do you suppose that David, one of the greatest and wisest men in human history, flooded the Psalms with praise? Almost every Psalm he wrote, even those where he was in great difficulty, gives a call to thanks or an expression of praise.
David had seen, experienced, and remembered God in ways that most do not. He had intentionally gazed at God and recorded what he saw. In that light, look at his admonition to you this morning:
"Great are the works of the Lord. They are studied (or, "sought out") by all who delight in them ... He has made His wonders to be remembered ... He has made known to His people the power of His works." (Psalm 111:2,4,6)
Some men study football. They know every stat, the names and strengths and weaknesses of each player, and their favorite team's schedule. Others understand the lines of every movie or the intricacies of every video game.
He sought the Lord to know Him, to serve Him, and to proclaim Him before others. Any man who chooses this great Subject for his study will receive the highest reward.
God is gladly waiting for His creation to do the one thing they should have been doing all along: observe, experience, and know Him! And then, out of that understanding, revere and obey Him! Notice what David saw when he studied God.
HE HAS ... made His wonders to be remembered. (vs. 4)
THE LORD IS ... gracious and compassionate. (vs. 4)
HE HAS ... given food to those who fear Him. (vs. 5)
HE WILL ... remember His covenant forever. (vs. 5b)
HE HAS ... made known to His people the power of His works in giving them the heritage of the nations. (vs. 6)
HE HAS ... sent redemption to His people. (vs. 9)
HE HAS ... ordained His covenant forever. (vs. 9)
He has, He is, He will... look at Him! Observe His works, and you will begin to stand in awe. This will lead to "the fear of the Lord," which David said was the "beginning of wisdom," and obedience to His leadership, which indicates a "good understanding" (vs. 10).
What are you studying? And who are you praising and obeying?
