September 28, 2023 — Psalm 148

“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,

for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!”

Psalm 146 is the first of five Hallelujah psalms that conclude the Psalter — so Psalm 148 is third in the group of five Hallelujah psalms that conclude the book. Psalm 148 is part of the book’s concluding section that offers and calls for praise to the Lord.

The first six verses then expound on that initial call to praise. All those who dwell in the heavens as well as the heavens themselves– both creatures and inanimate things — are called to give praise to G-d. 

We are to come before the Creator as G-d’s creatures, remembering that it is only because of G-d that we exist. As such, one of our main actions every day is to praise the Lord and give honor to G-d. Our little individual lives are only one small part of the great symphony of G-d’s creation, but it is a song of praise that will echo into eternity and never end. It reminds me of Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…”

Psalms 146 – 150 are a call to praise the Lord. We envision that the angels and heavenly hosts are currently praising the Lord, and within dimensions that we just cannot understand, I believe that all the different parts of creation are also joining the song- the sun, moon and stars, ocean creatures, wind and snow, animals large and small. Each of them has their part in praising G-d. I don’t know about you, but when I spend time appreciating G-d’s creation, it moves me to give praise to G-d. As I see the power of the ocean, the majesty of the mountains, and the intricate detail of tiny plants and creatures, it points me to the One who made them all.

Let us Pray:

God Most High, by your Word you created a wondrous universe, and through your Spirit you breathed into it the breath of life. Accept creation’s hymn of praise from our lips, and let the praise that is sung in heaven resound in the heart of every creature on earth, to the glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

Pastor Dave

September 27, 2023 — Psalm 147

“Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. 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. The LORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” (Verses 1-11)

Psalm 147 is the second of a group of five Psalms called the Hallelujah Psalms that conclude the book of Psalms. As we review the items of praise, it becomes immediately apparent that each part of the hymn combines activities that concern the community of the Lord’s people and deeds that concern the world at large. “The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.”

The Lord gives hope to the last, lost, least and little, and also numbers and names the stars and the hairs on our heads. The two kinds of actions, giving hope and naming are placed alongside each other to create what seems to be an indiscriminate image for all to see. So there is a theological purpose behind this mingling. Two kinds of experience are being brought together: gathering the lowly and making it apparent that the Lord knows them by name.

Usually it is the forgotten and the lowly who believe that the Lord has forgotten them. As such, in this view of G-d’s mysterious ways, the community of faith has an important responsibility. The history of the community of faith is a small part of our visible reality, but the power that moves this community to give hope to the hopeless has the same power as G-d’s creating will. The processes of the world are vast, impersonal, and uncaring, and usually seem to be winning the day. But the love, mercy and saving power of Jesus Christ reminds us that G-d has not forsaken nor forgotten us.

Let us Pray:

Loving God, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number of the stars and call them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the fullness of your eternal wisdom, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave