Year 1, Week 46, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 46, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Psalm 134, 136, 146-149.

Today’s reading consists of six Psalms. None of the Psalms in today’s reading provide us with who the human author is; nor do they describe the historical context behind their writing. Therefore, it is hard to determine if any of these Psalms particularly coincide with the historical period surrounding the Temple dedication that we are currently reading about in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. But due to the focus on praise in all of the six Psalms, it certainly is compatible with the songs of praise that we are told were sung on the day of the Temple’s dedication. In fact, one of today’s Psalms, Psalm 136, as we noted in a previous day’s reading contains the line that the priestly musicians sang: “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” (1 Chronicles 5:13). Of the six Psalms, only Psalm 134 gives any description, as it is classified as a Song of Ascent, one of the Psalms that the Israelites specifically sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. 

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the emphasis upon the last five Psalms in the collection of Psalms. Psalm 146-149, from today’s reading and Psalm 150 from tomorrow’s reading, each begin and end with “Praise the LORD” or “Hallelujah (which is Praise the LORD). These Psalms closing out the five-Book collection of Psalms is nothing short of an all out celebration of the LORD. The final culmination of the Psalms is a reflection of the final culmination for God’s people. For God’s people, the last word of history is a word of praise to the LORD. Not an occasional word of praise, but a continual word of praise; not an obscure word of praise but a loud and clear word of praise. Thus taking our note from the notes of the Psalms, history terminates with: “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!…The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!…Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting…Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!…He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!…Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!…Praise the LORD!” (Psalms 146:1,10; 147:1,20; 148:1,14; 149:1,9).

That is a lot of praise, and there is a good reason for all of this praise. The LORD’s people had numerous reasons to express God’s praise. From Psalm 146, the LORD God, “made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them” (Psalm 146:6). The LORD cares for what He made: “who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin” (Psalm 146:7-9). The LORD rules over all that He made: “The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations” (Psalm 146:10)

From Psalm 147, the LORD God comforts and heals, “builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds…The LORD lifts up the humble” (Psalm 147:2-3,6a). The LORD has control over all things: “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure” (Psalm 147:4-5). The LORD provides: “He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry” (Psalm 147:8-9). The LORD blesses: “For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat” (Psalm 147:13-14). The LORD gives His Word: “He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly…He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel” (Psalm 147:15,18-19).

From Psalm 148, the LORD God spoke all that exists into existence: “For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away” (Psalm 148:5b-6). The LORD gives special strength to His people: “He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him” (Psalm 148:14).

From Psalm 149, the LORD gives salvation to his people: “For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). And from Psalm 149, we are told that the praise of God that awaits will be a happy and active experience: “Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!…Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds” (Psalm 149:2-3,5).

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

Pastor Joe