Why They Should Worship the Lord (vv. 5-19). The mention of God’s Word in verse 4 reminds us that by knowing the Word of God we get better acquainted with the God of the Word. Creation reveals His existence, power, wisdom, and majesty; but the revelation in Scripture tells us about His mercy and grace and His wonderful plan of salvation. He is a faithful God, a God of truth, righteousness, justice, and goodness. God’s throne is built on righteousness and justice (89:14; 97:2; Isa. 9:7; 32:1, 17). To eyes of faith, the earth is full of His goodness (v. 5), His glory (Isa. 6:3; Num. 14:21-22), and His praise (Hab. 3:3) and one day will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord (Hab. 2:14). The beauty of God’s character should elicit from His people songs of praise and thanksgiving. Unless our worship focuses on the character of God, we have ignored the Person who ought to be the center of true worship.

We also worship the Creator and praise Him for His wonderful works (vv. 6-9). Out of nothing, He created everything by the power of His Word (vv. 6, 9; 119:89-91; 147:15, 18; 148:5; Gen. 1:1–2:1; Heb. 11:3). The Word that created the universe is also holding it together (Heb. 1:3; 2 Peter 3:5-7). “The breath of his mouth” may refer to the Holy Spirit of God (Gen. 1:1-2), for “breath” and “spirit” are the same word in Hebrew. “Host” includes the stars and planets, and verse 7 takes us back to Genesis 1:9-10. When you see the heavens above and the earth and seas below, you must marvel at the handiwork of God and stand in awe at the power of His Word. As we worship the Lord, we must praise the Creator and the provisions He has made for us to live on this planet. We must also resolve to be good stewards and not abuse and waste His wonderful gifts.

In our praise, we must thank God for the wisdom of His counsel (vv. 10-11). People with authority make decisions that affect the destinies of nations, and when God isn’t permitted to rule, then He overrules; for His will shall be accomplished. He can turn the policies and plans of nations into nothingness (Isa. 8:10; 19:3). The will of God for His children comes from the heart of God and is an expression of His love for them, so there is no cause for us to be alarmed or afraid (Jer. 29:11). What a privilege it is for Israel to be the people of God and the Lord’s treasured inheritance (v. 12; 28:9; 74:2; 78:62, 71; Deut. 4:20; 32:9). May the church never lose the wonder of being the people of God (1 John 3:1-3)!

We worship the Lord because of the assurance of His divine care (vv. 13-19). Not only does He keep His eye on His individual saints (32:8; 34:15; 1 Peter 3:12), but He also watches “all the sons of men” and “all their works.” He knows what the saints are doing and what the sinners are doing to the saints! The word translated “look” in verse 14 means “to gaze intently.” As God watches, He sees not only the actions of the body but also the “thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). He made the human heart, He understands it better than we do (Jer. 17:9), and He knows our motives (11:4; 34:15; 2 Chron. 16:9). The king’s heart is just like the heart of any other man, and no nation can win a war just because it has a big army and a large supply of weapons and ammunition. At the exodus, God looked down at the great Egyptian army and destroyed it (Ex. 14:24ff.). God delivers His people from danger and death, and He keeps them alive when times are difficult. He cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7).