Praise God! Hallelujah! Psalms 96-119

You can find a one-year Bible reading plan here.

We give thanks to God for his actions, but our praise exalts his character. Embedded in this week’s reading are many psalms of praise including the Hallel psalms, numbers 113-118. The Hallel (meaning praise) was recited by Jews celebrating the great feast days in Biblical times and through the ages since then. The Hallel was probably the song Jesus and the disciples sang at the Last Supper. Andrew Bonar wrote that these psalms “all sing of God the redeemer, in some aspect of his redeeming character.”

Psalm 113. God is celebrated for his transcendence (“his glory above the heavens”) and for his eminence (“who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth”). Most of all, he is exalted for his grace, lifting the poor and needy and making the childless woman a mother.

Psalm 114. God’s creative power is so glorious that the earth trembles at his presence as he turns rock into water and creates a sanctuary for the Israelites out of the land of Canaan.

Psalm 115. God, who does whatever he pleases, is contrasted with the blind, deaf, and dumb idols of the world. God is powerful, and so able to help us, but he is also loving, and therefore willing to help us. Let us then trust him, for he blesses those who fear him.

Psalm 116. God is gracious and compassionate, rescuing those who face a variety of dangers. Death, trouble, sorrow, helplessness, and stumbling are specific threats from which the psalmist has been redeemed. Because God’s actions are so prominent and memorable, the psalm moves from praise and pleading (“Yahweh, save me!”) to thanksgiving and back to praise.

Psalm 117. The shortest psalm focuses with precision on two of God’s greatest attributes: his love for us and his eternal faithfulness.

Psalm 118.  The final Hallel psalm was, according to Ryland, “partially used at the time when Messiah…was received with triumph and acclamation into Jerusalem” (verse 28), and will be fully proclaimed when he returns in glory. Jesus applied to himself the prophecy that the rejected stone would become the cornerstone (Matthew 21:42). The psalm as a whole is an order of worship and a dramatic reading. The congregation listens as a conquering hero, like David and fulfilled in Jesus, tells how he overcame adversity in the name of the Lord.

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me…

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. Psalm 118:13, 17

The congregation then follows the conquering hero as the gates of the temple, gates of righteousness, are opened for him. Together they proceed to the altar, praising God for his goodness and love. And so our redeemer opens heaven for us through his righteousness that becomes ours when we follow him. Praise him! Hallelujah!

About this blog

During 2020 I plan to post weekly writings covering the material you would read during each week as you proceed from Genesis to Revelation in one year. And so for this week I have covered Psalm 96 – Psalm 119. Next week I will write about Psalm 120 – Proverbs 9. I hope you will continue along with me. You can find daily posts about these chapters archived here on the Bible in a Year blog. For your convenience here are the previous posts covering Psalm 96 – Psalm 119.

True worship: Psalm 96

The OT God is a God of love: Psalm 103

What God is up to: Psalm 107

Genesis to Revelation in one chapter: Psalm 110

God does what he pleases: Psalm 115

The power of God’s word: Psalm 119, Part 1

The Power of God’s word: Psalm 119, part 2

Songs of Darkness: Psalms 66 – 95

You can find a one-year Bible reading plan here.

Book 3 of Psalms supplies most of this week’s reading, and it is a darker section of Psalms filled with accounts of struggles and God’s judgment. Many of these psalms take the form of a community lament, in which the psalmist speaks for the entire nation as they face a threat to their peace or existence. Psalms 73-83 bear the name of Asaph, a Levite and worship leader in the courts of both David and Solomon. The circumstances referred to in these Psalms often postdate the life of the historical Asaph, so it is likely that a school or guild created by him or in his name wrote them.

In Psalm 73 the author struggles with the prosperity of the wicked. In 74 he suffers over God’s rejection. In 77 he mourns the loss of God’s favor, love, and mercy. Psalm 78 gives a historical account of the repeated failings of Israel and God’s judgment upon them. Psalm 79 and 80 describe the psalmist’s despair as he sees the destruction of Jerusalem and God’s continued anger. Then in Psalm 81 God speaks, a form of psalm called an oracle.

Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—if you would only listen to me, Israel! …But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

Psalm 81:8, 11-12

Psalm 82 describes God entering a courtroom where he soon renders judgment upon Israel’s unworthy rulers.

“I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’
But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.”

Psalm 82:6-7

But these dark circumstances do not define the psalms of Asaph; they only provide the springboard for his proclamations of trust in God as he moves from despair to worship. The sanctuary becomes his place of enlightenment. God becomes his only desire. Looking back, the psalmist remembers all the ways God has helped Israel in the past, “the years of the right hand of the most High.” He realizes that God can and will by his grace cause his people to repent. Finally, with great effect he prays the promises of God, calling on God to restore his people for the sake of his name.

About this blog

During 2020 I plan to post weekly writings covering the material you would read during each week as you proceed from Genesis to Revelation in one year. And so for this week I have covered Psalm 66 – Psalm 95. Next week I will write about Psalm 96 – Psalm 119. I hope you will continue along with me. You can find daily posts about these chapters archived here on the Bible in a Year blog. For your convenience here are the previous posts covering Psalm 66 – Psalm 95.

Let me tell you what he has done for me: Psalm 66

Life isn’t fair: Psalm 73

The years of the right hand of the Most High: Psalm 77

A failure of leadership: Psalm 78

From strength to strength: Psalm 84

Praying God’s goodness: Psalm 86

Countdown to eternity: Psalm 90

 

One book but many messages: Psalms 26-65

Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com

You can find a one-year Bible reading plan here.

You know there are all kinds of music. Pop, country, rock, jazz, classical, and many more. Each genre has a style that helps to propel the message. The psalms are songs, and they come in many varieties as well. Recognizing the style of each psalm can open your eyes to the message each one wants to tell.

Praise. The glory and majesty of God are magnified and proclaimed. Both God’s character and his actions are exalted.

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 29:1-2

Penitential. The psalmist confesses his sin and seeks forgiveness and restoration.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Psalm 32:3-4

Wisdom. These psalms point out the blessings that come to those who follow God’s path.

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:11-14

Imprecatory. The psalmist prays for vindication against his enemies who have pursued him with violence. Sometimes the degree of judgment called for seems unusually harsh, but we must remember that the psalmist is making his plea to God and not acting on his own, that he is seeking the only recourse for justice that is available to him, and that the offender has broken covenant with him, a condition that puts the offender outside of God’s protection.

May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

Psalm 35: 4-6

Lament. The psalmist cries out for deliverance from those who persecute him. The lament may be individual, or the entire community may lament. This is not whining or complaining, however, as Tim Challies explains.  It is a humble cry for help.

I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”
My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Psalm 42:9-10

Royal. The king on earth is lifted up as one anointed by God. Though originally used as liturgy to crown Israel’s earthly king, these psalms also look forward to their eventual fulfillment in Christ’s reign. Psalm 45 is quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9 as a reference to God’s son.

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Psalm 45:6-7

Oracle. God speaks directly to the people, often to rebuke them for their sin.

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

But to the wicked person, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.

Psalm 50:14-18

These are some of the most common psalm forms. There are others, including psalms of thanksgiving and hymns. Many times a single psalm may contain several different themes. As you read this week’s psalms see if you can place them in one of these styles. It will help to drive home the psalm’s message.

About this blog

During 2020 I plan to post weekly writings covering the material you would read during each week as you proceed from Genesis to Revelation in one year. And so for this week I have covered Psalm 26 – Psalm 65. Next week I will write about Psalm 66 – 95. I hope you will continue along with me. You can find daily posts about these chapters archived here on the Bible in a Year blog. For your convenience here are the previous posts covering Psalm 26 – Psalm 65.

The Psalms are Songs: Psalm 27

This poor man called on the LORD: Psalm 34

Don’t lose your cool: Psalm 37

Where is God? Psalms 42-43

Don’t miss this offer: Psalm 50

When we fail God: Psalm 51

Only and Surely: Psalm 62

Encounters with God: Job 35 – Psalms 25

You can find a one-year Bible reading plan here.

From the moment he began his long travail of loss and torment, Job longed for an encounter with God. He wanted to talk with God face to face, so that he could make his case for redemption. And he did find God, but in seeing God Job also saw himself, his limitations, his lack of understanding, his need for repentance, and in God he saw the majesty beyond human comprehension.

One way to look at the Psalms is how each one leads us to a different encounter with God. This psalm shows us God who judges the nations, another God who comforts us in our sorrows, here God the King, and there God the Wise. From each one we can witness another aspect of God’s character and our own need. Let’s look at some of the Psalms from this week’s readings.

Psalm 1. God’s wisdom and his grace towards us through the Law, the way of Torah. We are either blessed or perishing depending on our relationship with God through his word.

Psalm 2. God and his Messiah/King/Son. These two concepts, Law and Messiah, are foundational for the whole book of Psalms. Our need is to come to God through his Son.

Psalm 6. Praying the grace of God against the wrath of God in the face of illness.

Psalm 7. God as deliverer and prayer as our refuge. Throughout the book of Psalms refuge is presented as a metaphor for trusting in God.

Psalm 8. God as creator who is worthy of all praise, and our place in this created order.

Psalm 9. God as judge of the wicked outside our own nation.

Psalm 10. God as judge of the wicked inside our own nation.

Psalm 12. God as the one who speaks truth, revealing his character of truth. Men reveal their character by their lies.

Psalm 15. The holiness of God and the character of those who can live with him.

Psalm 18. What God means to us in times of danger, in our times of right relationship with him, and in times of victory. Praise Him!

Psalm 19. God reveals himself to us through his creation (natural revelation) and through his Law (special revelation). As a result our need for forgiveness is revealed.

Psalm 20, 21. It is not the king who saves the people, but God who saves the king.

Psalm 22. God is not far from us in our day of trouble, even as we face death.

Psalm 23. God is our shepherd who provides, guides, and protects us. He is also our host who serves and shelters us.

Psalm 24. God is the true God, those who seek him are the true Israel, and God’s Messiah/King is the true redeemer.

Psalm 25. God delivers us from shame, from sin, from guilt, and from our foes.

About this blog

During 2020 I plan to post weekly writings covering the material you would read during each week as you proceed from Genesis to Revelation in one year. And so for this week I have covered Job 35 – Psalm 25. Next week I will write about Psalm 26 – 65. I hope you will continue along with me. You can find daily posts about these chapters archived here on the Bible in a Year blog. For your convenience here are the previous posts covering Job 35 – Psalm 25.

Does God care about me? Job 35

Questions with no answer: Job 38

Repentance and restoration: Job 42

So many stars: Psalm 8

The Path of Life: Psalm 16

The Perfect Word: Psalm 19

The King is Coming: Psalms 22

The Conditions of Salvation

Image by Helmuts Guigo on Flickr, CC by-sa 2.0