Psalm 118

Past, Present, and Future

Theme: A song of God’s love

Scripture: Psalm 118

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: God’s love for us is neverending.

Think: I let God’s great love for me guide the way I think, choose, and act.

Do: Praise God for His unfailing love and call on Him for help.

B1 Notes

C1 Psalm 118 is a hymn of joy. Some understand there is a soloist who sings a part and a choir responding.

C2 The Hebrew word for love, mercy, lovingkindness, etc. found in the first 4 verses is חֵסֵד chêsêd. It means kindness. This kindness implies mercy, love, kindness, etc.

D1 Kindness defined: Having or showing a friendly, generous, sympathetic, or warm-hearted nature. (Source)

D2 2 Samuel 9:1 NKJV Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

D3 Joel 2:13 GNB Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough." Come back to the LORD your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish.

D4 Everyday examples:

E1 "A couple of months ago, an elderly lady asked me to walk her home because she was scared she was going to slip on the ice. We've become friends and now I walk her home almost everyday." (Source)

E2 The paramedics who took an elderly man to the hospital and then came back and finished shovelling his driveway for him. (Source)

E3 What examples do you have?

D5 Remember God is kind.

C3 Those encouraged to be thankful.

D1 All people: Psalms 118:1 NASB Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

D2 Israel: Psalms 118:2 NASB Oh let Israel say,"His lovingkindness is everlasting.

D3 High priests (the house of Aaron): Psalms 118:3 NASB77 Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.

D4 All who fear God: Psalms 118:4 NASB77 Oh let those who fear the LORD say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.

D5 God does not need thanks, praise, or anything. What He is teaching, however, that it is the polite thing to give thanks.

C4 In Psalm 118:5, for what is the psalmist thankful?

C5 Psalm 118:6 belief in God yields courage. God’s grace gives us courage because of His kindness. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 GNB May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, 17 encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good.

C6 Psalm 118:8-9, why is it better to trust in God than anything else?

D1 Proverbs 3:5 NKJV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.

D2 Proverbs 20:22 GNB Don't take it on yourself to repay a wrong. Trust the LORD and he will make it right.

D3 Proverbs 28:25 GNB Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the LORD.

D4 Proverbs 29:25 GNB It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe.

C7 Psalm 118:10-14, how can we apply this teaching to our lives?

D1 He is the only savior: Isaiah 45:21-22 NASB77 Declare and set forth [your case;] Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. “Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.

D2 Salvation is part of His character: Revelation 12:10 GNB Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused believers day and night has been thrown out of heaven.

D3 He can save us from anything: 2 Timothy 4:18 GNB And the Lord will rescue me from all evil and take me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

C8 Psalm 118:15-16, why all the shoutin’?

D1 God gives us victory: Proverbs 21:31 GNB You can get horses ready for battle, but it is the LORD who gives victory.

D2 Victory over ALL enemies: Philippians 1:28-29 GNB Don't be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they will lose and that you will win, because it is God who gives you the victory. 29 For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him.

C9 Psalm 118:17-18, why does God discipline us? How is God’s discipline different for the believer from the unbeliever?

D1 Moses in his summary to Israel states: Deuteronomy 8:5 GNB Remember that the LORD your God corrects and punishes you just as parents discipline their children.

D2 As a test of faithfulness. Remember, Adam’s test was a piece of fruit and Abraham’s the order to sacrifice his son. We will be tested. James 1:12 NKJV Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

D3 A difference: Proverbs 10:24 NKJV The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted.

D4 For the unbeliever: Matthew 10:28 NKJV And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

C10 Psalm 118:19-21, who enters God’s gates to give praise?

D1 Not evil people: Romans 1:20-21 NKJV For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

D2 Giving thanks as evangelism: Psalms 18:49 NKJV Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.

D3 As testimony to the congregation: Psalms 35:18 NKJV I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.

D4 For victory in our Christian life: 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NKJV But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

C11 Psalm 118:22-24, who is this great cornerstone?

D1 Isaiah prophesied, too. Isaiah 28:16 GW This is what the Almighty LORD says: I am going to lay a rock in Zion, a rock that has been tested, a precious cornerstone, a solid foundation. Whoever believes in him will not worry.

D2 Jesus claims fulfillment: Matthew 21:42 NKJV Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

D3 Different to believer and unbeliever: 1 Peter 2:7-8 GW This honor belongs to those who believe. But to those who don't believe: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 8 a stone that people trip over, a large rock that people find offensive." The people tripped over the word because they refused to believe it. Therefore, this is how they ended up.

C12 Psalm 118:25-29,

D1 God gives success! Psalms 118:25 GNB92 Save us, LORD, save us! Give us success, O LORD!

D2 We have many, many reasons to give thanks to God.

D3 We are to tell others, both believer and unbeliever: Psalms 118:28 GNB92 You are my God, and I give you thanks; I will proclaim your greatness.

C13 Psalm 118:29, Why do YOU give thanks to God?

B2 Applications

C1 A challenge: sometime take the time to think of 100 things you are thankful for.

C2 Another challenge: think of 10 kindnesses God has done for you.

C3 Another challenge: tell someone about God’s kindness.

C4 Another challenge: compare your life here with your life in heaven.

B3 Poem:

Thank You, Lord, for Everything

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the breath to say

Thank you for another day

Thank you for the eyes to see the world of beauty surrounding me

Thank you for the ears to hear your message of hope loud and clear

Thank you for the hands to serve and far more blessings than I deserve

Thank you for the legs to run the race of life until it's won

Thank you for the voice to sing

Thank you, Lord, for everything

Amen

--Submitted by Keith (Source)

B4 Next week

C1 A reason for hope

C2 Theme: Songs of Worship

C3 Scripture: Psalms 121, 127, 130