The God of Salvation 1 Chron. 16:34-36 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

In the last part of the psalm that we have been studying in 1 Chr 16, David refers to the Lord as the God of our salvation.  Truly the Lord is the God of salvation.  In particular, he is the God who came to save Israel and who will eventually save them.  Jesus told the woman at the well in Jn 4:22 that salvation is of the Jews.

The things that David mentions at the end of this psalm have significant doctrinal application in connection with the salvation of Israel.

• The Lord has truly been good to Israel [1 Chr 16:34, Ps 73:1, Hos 3:5].
• For Israel, his mercy indeed endures forever [1 Chr 16:34, Ps 98:1-3].
• And he will save Israel as a nation when Jesus returns [1 Chr 16:35, Rom 11:25-26].
• When Jesus returns, he will gather Israel together [1 Chr 16:35, Is 11:10-12]
• And he will deliver them from the heathen [1 Chr 16:35, Ezek 37:21, Zech 14:3].
• They will thank his holy name [1 Chr 16:35, Ezek 39:7]
• And they will glory in his praise [1 Chr 16:35, Is 63:7].
• Truly he is the blessed Lord God of Israel [1 Chr 16:36, Ex 3:15].

That’s quite a change from the way Israel regards him right now.

Apart from this doctrinal application, as it concerns our salvation, there are some wonderful things in this psalm that spiritually apply to us.  When you cried out to the God of salvation to save you, he saved you, instantly.  You had a lot for which to thank him when he saved you.  And God has been awfully good to you, hasn’t he?  And he has continued to have mercy with you in spite of the fact that we don’t deserve the mercy he has extended us.

He has gathered you together with other believers and in some cases he has restored broken relationships.  He has delivered you from the heathen who want nothing to do with the Lord.  Like a friend said to me, “You don’t have to leave your old buddies when you get saved.  Just testify for the Lord and they will leave you.”

We gladly give thanks to his holy name now, though we used his precious name in vain so much before we got saved.  And we love to be together in church where we glory in his praise.  I’ll never forget the first time that I went to a church where the believers were really praising the Lord in congregational singing.  They were raising the roof, singing at the top of their lungs.  What a memorable service.  Blessed be the Lord!!

Conclusion: while this psalm is doctrinally for Israel, the spiritual application to us is very edifying and encouraging.  Don’t be forgetful to thank the Lord for his goodness and mercy to you.  Don’t be afraid to praise him for all that he has done for you.  And if you lose a few worldly friends in the process, just consider that God has delivered you from the heathen.  Give thanks to his holy name.  Amen!!