Psalm 138
Revelation 4-5

The God that we worship




I. Psalm 138

v. 1:
Note again "with my whole heart" cf. Ps. 103:1. The psalms are intellectual, spiritual, and emotional, and our worship should be likewise.
Discuss or review the significance of the phrase, "with my whole heart".
Why does he sing God's praise before / in the presence of the 'other gods'?

v. 2:
What does "bow down toward your holy temple" mean for us?
Why does he praise God's name?
What reasons follow for praising His name?
Why does he say that God has exalted His name and His word above all things?

v. 3:
Recall times when God answered you. How and when does He answer you?
How does His answering make you "bold and stouthearted"?

v. 4-5:
He calls or wishes for the earthly rulers to worship God. Why? What do you think he has in mind? How should we think about all the earthly rulers, according to this?
[Note the causal "for" in 5b.]
What does "glory" refer to, and in what way is His glory great?

v. 6-7:
Some versions begin v.6 with "for".
How are God's attitudes toward the lowly and the proud a part of His glorious nature?
How does he worship God in v. 7? How then should we think of our difficult times?

v. 8:
What do you think, specifically, is God's purpose plan for you?
What hope do you gain from the fact that God will fulfill his purpose for you?
Why does the writer conclude with the prayer, "Do not forsake the work of your hands"?


II. Revelation 4-5
John is taken up into heaven, and sees an incredible scene of angels, including strange heavenly creatures and heavenly elders, worshiping and praising God.
Note the background: Revelation was written in a context of persecution by the Romans, heresies, other attacks from Satan. Therefore, the book deals with spiritual warfare, hope, and God's ultimate triumph over His enemies.

A. 4:8-11
v. 8:
The eyes all around the creatures probably suggests omniscience.
How can these creatures praise God non-stop, day and night?

What response would God want from us to have from this?
What does God command us to do constantly (down here)? (cf. 1 Thess. 5:17)
Discuss the significance of these terms as they apply to God:

v. 11:
What is God worthy to receive? What do you think this means?
What reason does this imply for: (a) why we should worship Him, and (b) why God requires all people to worship Him?
What other scriptures does 11b remind you of?

Describe the components and characteristics of worship expressed in this chapter. How can we worship God like this?

B. 5:8-14
We see a scroll, that is, a book (biblion), at God's right hand side, covered with seven seals (sphragos). The seals suggest an official, even royal document of some kind. Different theories have been proposed about the exact nature of this document – a title deed (to the earth/ cosmos), a testament (last will and testament), a list of God's judgments to come, or even the Book of Life. Whatever it is, it's something of earth-shattering importance and of cosmic proportions to those in the scene who are worshiping God. Note the incense in v. 8 – incense symbolizes prayer.

v. 9-10:
After Jesus takes the book, the heavenly beings sing a new song – something new and big is happening.
For what reasons is Jesus worthy to do this? Discuss.

v. 12:
All the angels chime in...

v. 13:
All creatures in heaven and earth chime in... Note the progression from the heavenly elders and creatures worshiping (v. 9-10), to all the angels (v. 12), to all creatures in heaven and earth.

What kinds of worship do you see in this passage. Why do they worship by ascribing things like glory, power, wealth, etc. Doesn't God already have all these things? Why does God give us this model for worship?

Can you imagine yourself in heaven, worshiping God non-stop? What then do you need to do presently, down here?



III. Conclusion.

Both passages deal with God's sovereignty over that which is opposed to Him. Ps. 138:1 asserts God over other gods, and God's victory over the writer's enemies. Rev. 4-5 asserts Christ's supremecy over His enemies and the enemies of the Church.

What spiritual enemies and oppostion do you face?
When do we face God's enemies and false gods, namely, in spiritual warfare?
*What is the role of worship in our spiritual warfare?

You may close in a time of prayer, by praying and worshiping according to what you've read in these passages.


*Worship strengthens us for warfare.
*Proclaiming God's sovereignty and victory is part of warfare and a major weapon of warfare.