Sermon Outlines for
the book of Psalms

Rev. David P. Horrocks, Th.M., Pastor
Christ Community Church

Psalm 33 (6/6/04)                                Psalm 14 (3/30/08)
Psalm 96 (6/13/04)                              Psalm 15 (4/6/08)
Psalm 115 (6/20/04)                            Psalm 27 (4/13/08)
Psalm 139 (6/27/04)                            Psalm 36 (4/20/08)
Psalm 145 (7/18/04)
Psalm 16 (7/25/04)                              Psalm 65 (5/4/08)
Psalm 23 (8/1/04)                                Psalm 67 (5/11/08
Psalm 44 (8/8/04)
Psalm 73 (8/15/04)
Psalm 112 (9/5/04)
Psalm 32 (12/4/05)
Psalm 51 (12/11/05)

 

Psalm 33

Introduction:  "A new perspective"

The call to worship the Lord (1-5)

Three personal and passionate calls
Two historic reasons

Because of His character
Because of His conduct

 The content of the worship of the Lord (The new song) (6-19)

            The Lord is the awesome Creator (6-9)

                        His power is irresistible (6,9a)
                        His plans are perfect (7,9b)
                        Therefore let us fear the Lord (8)

            The Lord is the world's unchallenged Ruler (10-12)

                        There is no rule above the Lord's rule (10)
                        There is no stopping the Lord's plans (11)
                        Therefore let us follow the Lord (12)

            The Lord is mankind's only Savior (13-19)

                        He knows us in our weakness (13-15)
                        He knows us in our foolishness (16-17)
                        Therefore let us have faith in the Lord (18-19)

The character of the worship of the Lord (20-22)

            Worship submits to the Lord (20)
            Worship rejoices in the Lord (21)
            Worship prays to the Lord (22)

MESSAGE:
"WE FEAR THE LORD FOR HE IS GREAT,
WE FOLLOW THE LORD FOR HE IS KING,
AND WE HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD FOR HE IS OUR SALVATION."

 

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Psalm 96

Introduction:  "Worship Police"

A call for the nations to worship the Lord (1-6)
(Why should the nations worship the Lord?)

            Declare to the nations the Lord of hope (1-3)
            Declare to the nations the Lord of power (4-6)

A call for all families to worship the Lord (7-10)
(How should families worship the Lord?)

            Come with honor on your lips (7-8a)
            Come with gifts in your hands (8b)
            Come with holiness in your conduct (9a)
            Come with humbleness in your character (9b)
            Come with confidence in your heart (10)

                        The Lord reigns (10a)
                        The Lord sustains (10b)
                        The Lord will rule (10c)

A call for all creation to worship the Lord (11-13)
(Where will there be worship of the Lord?)

            Creation will rejoice at the lifting of the curse of sin (11-13a)
            The Lord will restore the world in High righteousness (13b)

MESSAGE:
"LET ALL NATIONS, ALL FAMILIES, AND ALL THINGS
WORSHIP THE LORD AS THE SAVIOR, THE CREATOR, THE KING,
AND THE COMING JUDGE."

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Psalm 115

Introduction:  "9-11 Commissioner"

A cry for the Lord to take action on His own behalf (1-8)

            Because Israel is weak
            Because the nations are proud
            Because the Lord alone is God

                        His character is love
                        His conduct is truth
                        His position is high
                        His power is great

            Because the idol-gods destroy their followers

                        They are lifeless
                        They are useless
                        They are dangerous

A call for all people to trust in and be blessed by the Lord (9-15)

            The call to have faith in the Lord (9a, 10a, 11a)
            The cause to have faith in the Lord (9b, 10b, 11b)
            The promise of blessings from the Lord (12-13)
            The prayer for blessings from the Lord (14-15)

The chorus of praise to the Lord (16-18)

            In heaven there is praise; on the earth there is choice (16)
            In the grave there is silence; on the earth there is choice (17)
            The praise of the Lord is always the choice of the righteous (18)

MESSAGE:
"THE LORD ALONE IS GOD -
ENTITLED TO GLORY, WORTHY OF FAITH,
THE SOURCE OF ALL BLESSINGS,
AND DESERVING OF PRAISE."

 

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Psalm 139

Introduction:  "Studying Daniel"

I am understood by the Lord completely (1-6)

            Personally
            Outside
            Inside
            Specifically
            Totally

I am in the Lord's presence continually (7-12)

            Up - down
            East - west
            Light - darkness

I have been made by the Lord thoughtfully (13-18)

            My soul is distinctly from God
            My body is distinctly from God
            My purpose is distinctly from God

I can fulfill the Lord's purpose perfectly (19-24)

            I will stand with the Lord against all that is wrong
            I will present myself to the Lord for all that is right

MESSAGE:
"THE LORD MADE ME, THE LORD KNOWS ME,
AND THE LORD IS WITH ME,
SO THAT I MIGHT FULFILL THE LORD'S PURPOSE FOR ME."

 

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Psalm 145

Introduction:  "Concerning retirement"

The theology of praising the Lord (1-7)

            The vow of praise (1-2)
            The reason of praise (3)
            The purpose of praise (4)
            The pattern of praise (5)
            The sound of praise (6-7)

The cause for praising the Lord (8-20)

            The Lord is great in His love of all (8-10)
            The Lord is great in His rule over all (11-13)
            The Lord is great in His blessings towards all (14-16)

                        To the weak He gives help
                        To the oppressed He gives hope

            The Lord is great in His salvation for all (17-20)

                        Justice and love meet in the Lord
                        Fear and love meet in the godly
                        The Lord is for those who trust Him
                        The Lord is against those who hate Him

The vow of universal praise for the Lord (21)

MESSAGE:
"THE LORD IS DESERVING OF PRAISE
IN WHICH I AM TO BE ONE VOICE
IN A UNIVERSAL CHORUS OF PRAISE."

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Psalm 16

Introduction:  "Severed from power"

Praise to the Lord for who He is

            Psalm 33 - PTL for He is great…Lord…our salvation
            Psalm 96 - PTL as Savior…Creator…King…Coming Judge
            Psalm 115 - PTL for His glory…faith…blessings
            Psalm 139 - PTL He made me…knows me…with me…for me
            Psalm 145 - PTL for His greatness is worthy of our praise

Prayer to the Lord for what He can do

            The Lord desires to define my life (1-7)
            (My present life is in His hands)

                        Present your life to the Lord (1)
                        Making knowing the Lord your highest relationship (2)
                        Make friends with those who know the Lord (3)
                        Do not follow those who forsake the Lord (4)
                        Make experiencing the Lord your highest treasure (5)
                        Learn to be content with godliness (6)
                        Be a student of the Bible and the Holy Spirit (7)

            The Lord is determined to defend my life (8-11)
            (My future life is in His plans)

                        The Lord's servant will know the Lord's presence (8)
                        The Lord's servant will know the Lord's protection (9)
                        The Lord's servant will know the Lord's power (10)
                        The Lord's servant will know the Lord's promises (11)

MESSAGES:
"THE LORD DESIRES TO DEFINE MY LIFE AS HIS SERVANT,
AND THE LORD IS DETERMINED TO DEFEND MY LIFE
IN HIS SERVICE."

 

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Psalm 23

Introduction:  "Experiencing the Olympics"

Theme:  The all-sufficient lordship of the Lord (23:1)

Theme developed (23:2-5)

            The Lord is a sufficient shepherd for life's normal needs (2-3)

                        Sufficient in my physical needs (2)
                        Sufficient in my emotional needs (3a)
                        Sufficient in my spiritual needs (3b)

            You are a sufficient shepherd for life's exceptional needs (4-5b)

                        Sufficient in the face of great dangers (4)
                        Sufficient in the presence of gathering enemies (5a)
                        Sufficient in the time of personal sickness (5b)

            The Lord is a sufficient shepherd for all of life's needs (5c)

Theme restated (23:6)

            The Shepherd's goodness is towards me
            The Shepherd's love is for me
            The Shepherd's eternal blessings include me

MESSAGE:
"FOLLOWING CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD
IS THE DAILY RACE TO A COMPLETED LIFE."

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Psalm 44

Introduction:  "True faith - dark days"

True faith - different results (44:1-16)

            Faith in the good old days brought victory (1-3)

                        Faith was declared through the generations
                        Faith was described in victories
                        Faith was being dependent on the Lord

            Faith in the present days brings defeat (4-16)

                        Faith is dependent on the Lord
                        Faith is seeking victories
                        Faith is experiencing defeat

True faith in difficult days (44:17-26)

            True faith keeps on trusting (17-18, 20-21)

                        Israel's faith is in the Lord
                        Israel's obedience is towards the Lord
                        Israel's devotion is for the Lord
                        Israel's walk is with the Lord

            True faith keeps on enduring (19, 22)

                        Israel is crushed like sheep
                        Israel is confused like lambs

            True faith keeps on hoping (23-26)

                        Israel will call to the Lord (23-24)
                        Israel will suffer for the Lord (25)
                        Israel will wait on the Lord (26)

MESSAGE:
"WHEN LIVING BY THE TRUE FAITH
LEADS YOU INTO DARK DAYS,
KEEP ON LIVING BY YOUR FAITH."

 

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Psalm 73

Introduction:  "He was green with envy"

The triumph of the spirit (73:1)

The struggle of the soul (73:2-16)

            The deceitfulness of envy (2-14)

                        The eyes rule the heart (2-9)
                        The unholy captures the holy (10-11)
                        The physical blurs the spiritual (12-14)

            The dilemma of envy (15-16)

                        It goes against the Scriptures (15)
                        It goes against the saints (15)
                        It goes against the spirit (16)

The victory of the soul (73:17-28)

            The defeat of envy (17-20)

                        God's Word becomes our wisdom (17-18)
                        God's plans become our actions (19-20)

            The defense against envy (21-24)

                        Knowing the foolishness of our sin (21-24)
                        Knowing the presence of God's Spirit (23)
                        Knowing the grace of God's promises (24)

            The death of envy (25-28)

                        The eternal hope of the righteous (25-26)
                        The eternal hopelessness of the wicked (27)
                        The eternal purpose of the righteous (28)

MESSAGE:
"THE LORD IS GOOD TO ALL THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM,
WHO TRUST IN HIM WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART."

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Psalm 112

Introduction:  "Choose a plan"

The Lord has a plan for righteousness (112:1-9)

            The Lord has a plan for all those who are dedicated to faith

                        Those who are reverent in heart
                        Those who are obedient in life

            The Lord gives grace to the righteous

                        Past grace received - Salvation
                        Present grace described - Sanctification

                                    Godly character producing godly conduct
                                    Daily confidence in every hour
                                    Material blessings for spiritual purposes

                        Future grace reserved - Glorification

                                    An enduring spiritual lineage
                                    An enduring personal testimony

The Lord is opposed to the wicked (112:10)

            The wicked will be angry
            The wicked will be judged
            The wicked will be lost

MESSAGE:
"PRAISE THE LORD;
FOR HE GIVES GRACE TO THE RIGHTEOUS,
BUT HE IS OPPOSED TO THE WICKED."

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Psalm 32:1-11

Introduction:  “How to have peace with God”

It is a blessing to be pardoned by the Lord for all of your sin (32:1-2)

            Removal of all guilt (1-2a)
            Renewal of the inner you (2b)

The road to being pardoned by the Lord for all sin (32:3-5)

            The agony of the Lord’s conviction (3-4)
            The obedience of confession (5a,b,c)
            The assurance of full forgiveness (5d)

The call for all to be pardoned by the Lord for all sin (32:6-7)

            It is the right thing to do (6a)
            It is the safe thing to do (6b)
            It is the best thing to do (7)

The promises of God to those who receive His pardon (32:8-11)

            The guidance of a father, not the whip of a master (8-9)
            The path of love & praise not the road of pain & problems (10-11)

MESSAGE:
”HOW TRULY BLESSED WE WOULD BE
IF ONLY WE WOULD CONFESS OUR SINS
AND RECEIVE THE LORD’S PARDON.”

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Psalm 51:1-19

Introduction:  “The Lord is going to kill me!”

Context:  II Samuel 11-12
Content:  Prayer for forgiveness

            Prologue:  II Samuel 12:7a (Heading)
            First prayer for forgiveness (51:1-2)

                        Petition for pardon in the courtroom (1)
                        Petition for pardon in the sanctuary (2)

            Prayer of confession (51:3-6)

                        I have transgressed Your laws (3a)
                        I carry the guilt of my sin (3b)
                        I have done evil openly against You (4a)
                        I deserve Your just judgment (4b)
                        I am a sinner by nature (5)
                        I am a sinner by choice (6)

            Second prayer for forgiveness (51:7-12)

                        Remove the guilt of my sin (7)
                        Restore health to my body and strength to my soul (8)
                        Look at me and not at my sin (9)
                        Give me another chance (10)
                        Do not end my life and cancel my purpose (11)
                        Return me to Your blessings and to Your service (12)

            Three vows of service (51:13-17)

                        I promise to evangelize others (13)
                        I promise to praise and worship You Lord (14-15)
                        I promise to walk in humility (16-17)

            Epilogue (51:18-19)

                        Do Your will in the world (18)
                        You will receive delightful worship from the righteous (19)

MESSAGE:
”IF WE CONFESS OUR SIN, GOD IN HIS MERCY AND GRACE
CAN FORGIVE US FOR OUR SIN AND CORRECT IN US
THE EFFECTS OF OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.”

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Psalm 14

Introduction:  “There is no fear of God before their eyes…”

Belief in the existence of God is intuitive

Belief in the existence of God is assumed in the Scriptures

Belief in the existence of God is corroborated by logic

Denying the existence of God is foolish (14:1)

            It is foolish to say, “No God!”

                        The atheist
                        The agnostic
                        The practical atheist

            Fools are corrupt and corrupting
            Fools bring nothing of eternal value to the table of life

Ignoring the presence of God is foolish (14:2-6)

            It is a choice against faith in the Lord (2)
            It is a choice against obedience to the Lord (3)
            It is a choice against holiness before the Lord (4)
            It is a choice against fear of the Lord (5)
            It is a choice against hope from the Lord (6)

Forgetting the promises of God is foolish (14:7)

            The Lord is still God
            The Lord is still faithful
            The Lord is still gathering a people of faith

MESSAGE:
“GOD IS; GOD IS HERE;
AND GOD IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH.”

 

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Psalm 15

Introduction:  “No Believers Left Behind…” (15:1)

Approved Believers are godly in their character (15:2)

            Do you seek to live a blameless life?
            Do you champion what is right before God?
            Do you only speak what you know to be proper?

Approved Believers have learned to tame the tongue (15:3)

            Are your words spoken to edify and not to destroy?
            Are you the good neighbor God wants you to be?
            Are you the true friend God wants you to be?

Approved Believers are a blessing to their communities (15:4)

            Do you hate what is evil?
            Do you promote the fear of the Lord?
            Do you always keep your promises?

Approved Believers help the weak, the poor and the suffering (15:5)

            Do you love getting money more than you love helping others?
            Do you love having money more than you love doing justice?
            Do you love life’s comforts more than you love the Lord’s approval?

MESSAGE:
“FORGIVENESS IS A GIFT FROM THE LORD FOR OUR FAITH,
BUT APPROVAL IS A REWARD FROM THE LORD FOR OUR FAITHFULNESS.”

 

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Psalm 27

Introduction:  “Lessons for life from the battlefield of war”

The testimony of courageous faith and a passion for worship (27:1-6)

            The courage of faith described (27:1-3)

                        Present confidence in God
                        Past experience with God
                        Future courage from God

            The passion for worship is declared (27:4-6)

                        The privilege of a priest
                        The protection of faith
                        The praise for victory

The prayer of one courageous in faith and passionate in worship (27:7-12)

            The grace of divine election (7)
            The grace of divine instruction (8)
            The grace of divine forgiveness (9)
            The grace of divine love (10)
            The grace of divine illumination (11)
            The grace of divine protection (12)

The call to be courageous in faith and passionate in worship (27:13-14)

            Without God’s blessings life is unbearable (13)
            With faith and worship life is remarkable (14)

MESSAGE:
“TO BE COURAGEOUS IN YOUR FAITH
AND PASSIONATE IN YOUR WORSHIP
IS TO BE A DISCIPLE OF THE LORD.”

 

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Psalm 36

Introduction:  The anatomy of a sin…

The anatomy of a sinner (36:1-4)

            He does not fear God (1b)
            He has ceased to be wise and do good (3b)
            He does not despise evil (4c)
            His heart is open to transgression (1a)
            He plans wickedness upon his bed (4a)
            He sets himself on an evil path (4b)
            His words are wickedness and deceit (3a)
            He rejoices in his own wickedness (2)

The attributes of the Lord (36:5-9)

            Inexhaustible in His love (5a)
            Unchangeable in His trustworthiness (5b)
            Unfailing in His holiness (6a)
            Unwavering in His justice (6b)
            Sustainer of His creatures (6c)
            Friend to the righteous (7)
            Spiritually nurtures the godly (8)
            Source of life and light to all who believe (9)

David’s prayer for the righteous (36:10-11)

            Public intercession for the perseverance of the godly
            Personal petition to stand against pride and pressure

David’s prophecy of doom for the wicked (36:12)

MESSAGE:
“WHEN YOU FEAR THE LORD, YOU TURN FROM SIN;
WHEN YOU LOVE THE LORD, YOU TURN TO WORSHIP!”

 

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Psalm 65

Introduction:  “Doing right and discovering a wrong…”

Praise the Lord is our Redeemer (1-4)

            How to praise the Lord (1)

                        Silence before His holiness
                        Sounds of worship for His blessings
                        Service to Him and His Church

            Why to praise the Lord (2-4)

                        He alone hears the prayers that are prayed to Him (2)
                        He alone forgives the sins that are confessed to Him (3)
                        He alone has chosen us to be forever satisfied in Him (4)

Praise the Lord He is our Creator (5-8)

            He works His will through wonders in creation (5)
            He formed creation (6)
            He controls creation (7)
            He sustains creation (8)

Praise the Lord He is our abundant Provider (9-13)

            He empowers the earth to produce abundantly (9a)

                        He provides the seeds (9b)
                        He irrigates the land (10a)
                        He grows the crops (10b)
                        He gives a great harvest (11-12)

            All crops and all flocks give praise to His greatness (13)

MESSAGE:
“PRAISE THE LORD!  HE IS OUR REDEEMER,
OUR CREATOR, AND OUR ABUNDANT PROVIDER.”

 

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Psalm 67

Introduction:  “The Jabez connection”

One desire of the heart (67:1)

            Uninterrupted grace
            Unhindered blessings
            Unbroken fellowship

Two statements of fact (67:6-7a)

            The harvest is ready (6a)
            The one and only true God has blessed us (6b-7a)

Three petitions prayed (67:3-4a, 5)

            That all nations would praise God (3)
            That all nations would celebrate God (4a)
            That all nations would praise God (5)

Three reasons revealed (67:2, 4b, 7b)

            That God’s way of salvation might be made known (2)

                        The conviction of guilt
                        The provision of a sacrifice
                        Personal faith in the Savior

            That God’s kingdom might come (4b)

                        There will be unblemished justice
                        There will be absolute fairness

            That God would be revered and trusted (7b)

MESSAGE:
“GOD BLESSES US AS WITNESSES SO THE WORLD WILL
TRUST IN THE ONE WHO SAVES SINNERS
AND FEAR THE ONE WHO WILL RULE THE EARTH.”

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