September 29, 2023 — Psalm 149

“Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel be glad in its 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. For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron, to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the LORD!”

Psalm 149 is the fourth in a series of concluding Psalms that focus on the Praise of the Lord. The location of Psalm 149 in the book adds two perspectives on its interpretation. It clearly continues the preceding hymn, Psalm 148 which speaks of Israel as the chosen people of G-d. Psalm 149 as the sequel then discloses how praise of and giving glory to G-d falls on the faithful ones. In Psalm 148, the kings and princes and all peoples are part of the universal choir that praises the Lord, while in Psalm 149 kings and princes are the powers to be overthrown in praise of the Lord.

Psalm 149, the next to last Psalm corresponds to and should be held in comparison to Psalm 2, the second Psalm. Psalm 2 announces that it is through his anointed king that the Lord will claim kings and nations for his rule. In Psalm 149, it is the assembly of the faithful, the faithful Christin community through whom the Lord achieves G-d’s ultimate purpose — the rule of Jesus as Lord and Savior. There is a particular reason why we sing psalms and hymns in the congregation — because we are called to be like-minded and in that like-mindedness we should “with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans). This is the main purpose of the church of Jesus Christ. This is the great end for which the church exists and will exist throughout eternity.

Of course, in this world we have too many kings and dictators, like the dictator in North Korea who do not recognize the Lord as their king. These human tyrants require parades in their own honor every other week or so, where everybody dutifully shows up to parrot the mantras of praise. Should anybody be absent, they know they will be summarily executed for disloyalty. G-d’s people, on the other hand, find great joy in our worship of G-d because we are the people of G-d, our Lord Jesus Christ is our king.  

Let us Pray:

God our maker, you crown the humble with honor and exalt the faithful who gather in your name. Because you have favored us with life, we dance before you in our joy and praise you with unending song for the victory of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave

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