May 14, 2023 – Psalms 98; 147

Lesson Date: May 14, 2023

Focal Scripture Passage: Psalm 98:1-9; 147:1-11

AIM: To lead students to discover reasons the psalmist sang to the Lord, and to relate those reasons to their own experience to encourage them to express their praise to God in song.

Before class: Read the notes on Psalms 98 and 147 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Have enough copies of the “Do You Have Reason to Sing?” handout for your anticipated attendance.  Be sure to have some pens or pencils available for those who may need one.  Write the lesson title, “Sing to God” on the marker board or chalkboard.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Tell the students that music is a very powerful and pervasive force in our world.  We hear music in stores, on radio and TV, on our computers, and even on our phones.  Ask: “Do you listen to music on your cell phone?” (probably many do).

Ask: “What was the first song you ever learned?” (perhaps it was “Jesus Loves Me”).  Ask: “How did you learn the alphabet when you were a child?” (through a song).

Tell the class that we learn through music and music stirs our emotions, and important events in our lives (graduations, weddings, funerals) always include music.  Stress that music is everywhere in our world.  Ask: “How would life be different if there was no music at all?” (it would be very bland and uninteresting).

Direct the students’ attention to the words, “Sing to God” written on the board.  Tell them there are 165 references to singing in the Bible, and the book of Psalms has rightly been called the Bible’s hymnbook.

Tell the class the title of today’s lesson is simply, Sing to God.  As we study Psalms 98 and 147, we will identify some reasons the psalmist sang to God, and think about how those reasons relate to our personal experiences.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (Thank God).
   • Ask: “Have you been mindful to thank God this week?”
   • Ask if any volunteer would recite last week’s memory verses (Ps. 107:1-2).
2. Sing to God for His Victory, Salvation, Mercy, and Truth.
   • Give everyone a copy of the “Do You Have Reason to Sing?” handout (and a pen or pencil if needed).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 98:1-4.
   • Point out that verse 1 tells us to sing to the Lord.
   • Ask: “According to verse 1, why should we sing to God?” (because He has done marvelous things and gotten the victory).
   • Explain that in the Bible the right hand and arm represent strength; but God is not only strong, but He is also holy.
   • Tell the class the psalmist sang to God because God brought victory.
   • Direct everyone’s attention to the handout.
   • Ask: “Have you ever experienced victory because of God? If so, when did that happen?”
   • Ask everyone to write that experience of victory on their handout. Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell the class about some victory God gave them.
   • Ask everyone to look at the first half of verse 2.
   • Ask: “Why else should we sing to God?” (because of salvation).
   • Ask: “Have you experienced salvation? If so, write that on your handout.”
   • Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell when God saved them.
   • Direct everyone’s attention to verse 3.
   • Ask: “In addition to victory and salvation, what else has God done that is worth singing about?” (He has demonstrated mercy to us and revealed His truth to us).
   • Ask: “Have you ever experienced God’s mercy or learned His truth? If so, when?”
   • Ask everyone to write that experience on their handout. Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell when God was merciful to them or revealed His truth to them.
   • Re-read verse 4. Note that our singing doesn’t have to be good to please God, but it should be joyful and loud.
   • Summarize: We ought to sing to God because we have experienced His victory, salvation, mercy, and truth.
3. Sing to God Accompanied by Musical Instruments.
   • Tell the class that the rest of Psalm 98 identifies some ways to sing praise to God, as well as another reason to sing to Him.
   • Read Psalm 98:5-6.
   • Ask: “According to these verses, what should accompany our singing to God?” (musical instruments).
   • Explain the following:
     • Some people mistakenly believe musical instruments have no place in corporate worship.
     • That is not what the Bible says.
     • Musical instruments have been a part of the worship of God for more than 3,500 years.
     • We should sing to God and we should use musical instruments to help us praise Him.
   • Tell the students that verses 7-8 reveal some other things that “sing” to the Lord.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 98:7-8.
   • Note the various parts of creation named in those verses and stress the fact that the entire physical universe “sings” praise to Almighty God.
   • Tell them verse 9 names some more reasons to sing to God.
   • Read Psalm 98:9.
   • Ask: “According to that verse, how does God judge people?” (with righteousness and fairness).
   • Direct everyone’s attention to the handout.
   • Ask: “Has God ever treated you with righteousness or fairness? If so, when?”
   • Ask everyone to write that experience on their handout. Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell of a time when God treated them with righteousness or fairness.
   • Summarize: We ought to sing to God accompanied by musical instruments and because of His righteousness and fairness to us.
4. Sing to God for His Healing in Your Life.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Psalm 147.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 147:1-3.
   • Tell the class that verse 1 says three things about singing praises to God.
   • Ask: “What are those three things?” (it is good, pleasant, and comely).
   • Explain the following:
     • Pleasant means “delightful.”
     • Comely means “suitable” and “beautiful.”
     • The Bible makes it clear that it is good, appropriate, fitting, and enjoyable to sing praises to God.
     • Everyone who knows God should sing to Him.
     • Verse 2 reveals some good things God did for the Israelites; probably all of us can think of many good things God has done for us.
   • Tell the students that verse 3 names two more things for which we should sing to God. Ask if they can identify them (healing the broken-hearted and healing the sick or injured).
   • Direct everyone’s attention to the handout.
   • Ask: “Has God ever healed your broken heart and shattered emotions? If so, when?”
   • Ask everyone to write that experience on their handout. Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell of a time when God healed them emotionally.
   • Ask: “Has God ever healed you of a disease or injury? If so, when?” (if they are currently alive God has done this on multiple occasions).
   • Ask everyone to write that experience on their handout. Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell of a time when God healed them physically.
   • Summarize: We ought to sing to God because He has healed us emotionally and physically.
5. Sing to God for His Knowledge, Encouragement, and Provision.
   • Read Psalm 147:4-5.
   • Ask: “According to verse 4, what does God know that we do not?” (the number of the stars and all their names).
   • Explain that scientists make estimates based on what they can see, but they do not know how many stars there actually are.
   • Ask: “Have you ever had trouble understanding something? Did you ever make a mistake because you misunderstood instructions or directions?” (yes to both). 
   • Ask: “According to verse 5, how great is God’s understanding?” (it is infinite – without limit).
   • Direct everyone’s attention to the handout.
   • Ask: “Can you think of a time when you realized that God knows and understands more than you do? If so, when?”
   • Ask everyone to write that experience on their handout. Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell of a time when they realized the limitlessness of God’s knowledge.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 147:6-9.
   • Ask: “According to verse 6, what else does God do?” (lifts up the meek but casts down the wicked).
   • Ask: “Can you think of a time when God lifted you up, encouraged or restored you? If so, when?”
   • Ask everyone to write that experience on their handout. Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell of a time when God encouraged or restored them.
   • Tell the class that verse 7 says we should sing to God with thanksgiving.
   • Ask: “What do verses 8-9 tell us God does?” (sends rain, makes plants grow, and provides food for all living things).
   • Ask: “Can you think of a time when God met your needs? If so, when?”
   • Ask everyone to write that experience on their handout. Ask if anyone would be willing to briefly tell of a time when God met their needs.
   • Read Psalm 147:10-11.
   • Ask: “Does the Lord take pleasure in the physical strength of the creatures He created?” (no).
   • Ask: “What brings Him pleasure?” (people who fear Him and trust Him).
   • Summarize: We ought to sing to God because of His great knowledge, encouragement, and provision.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the class that our lesson today is about singing to God.  The Bible clearly commands us to sing praise to God.  Not only that, but it also tells us to sing loudly, joyfully, and with the accompaniment of musical instruments.

Ask: “Do you sing to the Lord?  Do you participate in the singing of hymns and other songs during corporate worship at church?”

Direct everyone’s attention to their handout sheet.  Read the title (“Do You Have Reason to Sing?”).  Ask them to silently read the things they have written, which are good things God has done for them.  Ask: “Do you think you have sufficient reason to sing praises to God?”

Tell the class everyone doesn’t have a beautiful voice but every believer should have a song in his or her heart.  The Bible explains it this way:

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:18-19).

Stress the fact that singing is one of the signs of being filled with the Spirit.  If we are saved and filled with the Spirit then our joy, gratitude, and praise to God will naturally come out in song.

Ask: “Will you obey the Bible’s commands to Sing to God?”  Lead a closing prayer of gratitude for God’s goodness to us and commitment to worship Him through singing.

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Psalm 98:4.  Tell them in a few minutes we will all gather for worship.  Encourage them to sing to God in church this morning.