The theme of Psalm 136 is quickly understood: Give thanks to Yahweh because his steadfast love endures forever. Four times the call goes out to give thanks (1-3, 26), and 26 times the reason to do so is repeated. Why the repetition? The ESV Devotional Psalter gives one answer: “Because everything in us is hardwired… Read More »
I really needed this psalm today. My body aches are more evident this morning from doing yard work yesterday, and my sciatica is acting up. So what greets me as I read is a call to praise Yahweh (1-3). The song begins (1) and ends (21) with “Praise the LORD!” or “Hallelu Jah!” Five times… Read More »
Psalm 134 is the last of the “Songs of Ascent” and the shortest. Yet it’s full of thoughts to occupy my mind today. This is partly where I got the theme for this year at Fellowship Bible Church: “Blessed to be a blessing!” Three times the word “bless” is used. Two times the action is… Read More »
David’s song is greatly needed today in a nation torn apart by “racial disunity” and besieged by senseless destruction of lives & property. This song holds the answer to racial & social & economic & cultural harmony – the united worship of Yahweh. As the Jewish pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem to worship, they came as… Read More »
Psalm 132 is the longest of the “Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120-134). As Jewish pilgrims ascended to Jerusalem to worship, they sang this song to memorialize King David (1, 10, 11, 17) & the temple as “a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (5). Despite the “hardships” David endured in bringing the ark… Read More »
Psalm 131 was written by David, although when in his life is unknown. It sounds a lot like his early years, when he had to cast himself upon Yahweh for his safety, security & survival. Nonetheless, it testifies to his hopeful confidence in the LORD. These 3 short verses easily divide into David’s prayer to… Read More »
Psalm 130 is the 6th of 7 songs of penitence (repentance or remorse over sin) like Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102 & 143. It expresses the poet’s severe distress he felt over his own iniquities (perverse or crooked ways). IOW, this man knew he wasn’t living “the straight & narrow” life & had deviated… Read More »
Psalm 129 gives a voice to every individual or group that has ever been afflicted or mistreated over time. Such was the case with Israel, who was led here to lament, “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth” (1a, 2a). Her first affliction occurred during her 400 years in Egypt. Even after her exodus… Read More »
The world has its own way to measure happiness and what is admirable or enviable, but God has a totally different yardstick. This psalm declares, “Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways!” (1). In God’s eyes, the truly happy or admirable person is the one who has respect for God and… Read More »
Psalm 127, written by King Solomon, challenges me to make sure I am depending on the LORD for whatever I do today. This psalm is both a WARNING and a WITNESS. The warning is that whatever I expend my energy on today will all be “in vain” unless the LORD is actively involved in it,… Read More »
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