Year 1, Week 41, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 41, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 145.

Today’s reading continues a thread that started in the previous day’s readings with a primary focus on the Temple and the priestly functions surrounding the Temple. 1 Chronicles 26 establishes additional Temple service responsibilities such as gatekeepers and treasury officers. The gatekeepers were given guard duties: “They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting…And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death” (Numbers 3:7-10). The Temple structure would be a complex structure with a great variety of personnel, equipment, and resources, which needed careful supervision and competent administration. 1 Chronicles 27 clarifies matters pertaining to military as well as tribal leaders. Psalm 145 is the last Psalm of David (at least the last that is specifically attributed to David). Psalm 145 is an acrostic Psalm (each verse begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet), as it enumerates the praiseworthy character of God as King: “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:1).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the emphasis upon the unrelenting praise to the LORD as being rooted in the unending greatness of the rule of the LORD: “Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:2-3). The unrelenting praise to the LORD is to never cease: "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4). In order to stimulate the unceasing praise of the LORD, hearts will need to think deeply about the LORD unremittingly: “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate” (Psalm 145:5). Praising the LORD is stimulated through meditation. Such meditation considers what God has said: “but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). But as expressed here in Psalm 145 and elsewhere, such meditation also considers God’s works and deeds: “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:11-15); and: “Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works” (Psalm 119:27). The more our hearts meditate upon the LORD, the more our hearts overflow with praise: “They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness” (Psalm 145:6-7).

David begins listing exactly what some of what actually are the particulars of God’s praiseworthiness. He starts with a foundational statement concerning God’s character: “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 145:8). This important declaration about the LORD was first declared to Moses: "The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). Some variation of this declaration is declared throughout the Old Testament Scripture (see Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 111:12; Nehemiah 9:17; Joel 2:13; etc.). David is extolling that unfailing love that the LORD has for His people. It is this kind of covenant loyalty that is the underpinning of the LORD’s kind patience and resolute persistence to preserve His people. God’s steadfast love is the hope of His people: “The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:9). These truths, declared as often as they are, should serve as a starting point for our meditations. And the length of time needed for such meditation is unregulated, but the stick-to-itiveness needed is until praise erupts.

David also expresses praise to the King because of the praiseworthiness of His Kingdom: “All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power” (Psalm 145:10-11). The character of God’s Kingdom is an extension of the character of the King Himself. The nature of God’s Kingdom is displayed through the King’s works. The loving King’s loving works demonstrate that it is a loving Kingdom. And the loving Kingdom is a long-lasting Kingdom: “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations” (Psalm 145:13). And the people of the Kingdom, as they live in such a Kingdom are to extol-before the LORD and to others-the glory of the Kingdom: “to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom” (Psalm 145:12). For those in the Kingdom, they have a King who supports (145:14), watches over (145:15), provides (145:16), judges fairly (145:17), comes near (145:17), sustains (145:18), and preserves (145:19). For these actions, the King’s people are internally compelled toward praise: “My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:20).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe