Psalms 148, 149, 150

 

Review

We’ll be covering the last three psalms tonight (148, 149, 150).  But by way of review, the final five (5) chapters in the book of Psalms are “Hallelujah” psalms. In other words the last five psalms in Hebrew, all begin and end with the word “hallelujah”.  In English we see three words, “Praise the Lord”.

With that, let’s pray…

Here the 148th Psalm calls all of creation to praise the LORD, but creation just naturally, already does praise the Lord.  When you see the trees, it’s as if they are lifting their arms in praise to God.   The birds naturally sing praises to God.   The stars in the night sky naturally give a light show in praise to God.

Even though we see these glimpses of how the creation is meant and purpose built to praise God, at present, not everything in nature does.

Romans 8:18-25 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

But, we’re promised in that everything will be praising the LORD in eternity:

Revelation 5:11-13 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, [be] blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

Psalm 148 – Let Heaven and Earth Praise the LORD

Psalm 148:1-14 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. 6 He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, Sea monsters and all deeps; 8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; 9 Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars; 10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged fowl; 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; 12 Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven. 14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people, Praise for all His godly ones; [Even] for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD!

Just a few comments…

For us, Praising the Lord is more than just ‘admiration’ it is ‘adoration’.   When we offer our praises to God, we’re offering worship and actually it’s a sacrifice to the LORD

Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

(verses 5 and 6) The reason that the heavens praise God is because the LORD created and established them. 

(verses 13 and 14) The reason kings, princes, judges, young men, virgins, old men, children praise the LORD is because His name is glorious and He is glorious and He has rescued and given victory to His people.

God’s name in Hebrew is four Hebrew consonants, Yod He Vav He (or in the English alphabet YHWH) but when it gets to us in the English Bible, it is LORD.   How is the LORD’s name glorious?   His very name sets him apart from all of creation.   His name is related to the Hebrew verb “to be”.   His self-existence is expressed in his very name.   Also, the English rendition, LORD is a contraction of two words; first word: ‘Loaf’ - like a loaf of bread.   Second word; ‘Ward’ - as in someone who takes care of and provides for others.

Let me ask you what you think about verse 14.   God is to be praised for His godly ones (the saints both old and new testament).   I wonder if you’d think about this and chime in with your experiences; what are some things that God deserves praise for in you;   What He’s done in/for/through you.   What was some victory that He won for you that you don’t mind sharing?

Psalm 149 – The High Praises of God and a Two-Edged Sword

Psalm 149:1-9 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, [And] His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. 2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted (humble, meek) ones with salvation. 5 Let the godly ones exult in glory; Let them sing for joy on their beds. 6 [Let] the high praises of God [be] in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 To execute vengeance on the nations And punishment on the peoples, 8 To bind their kings with chains And their nobles with fetters of iron, 9 To execute on them the judgment written; This is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the LORD!

V1 I’m impressed by anyone who has musical/artistic/creative talents.   For someone to come up with a new song is really cool.   If someone were to come up with a truly, new and unique song that would be outstanding.   My hope would be that they would give the Glory to God, because even if that ‘new song’ came directly out of that person’s head, God is the one who gave that person the talent and the creativity and the ability.   I’m always blessed when Christian artists say “the Lord gave me this song”.   But if that were truly the case, why do they take payment for it?

V2 There is an element of gladness in praising the Lord, as we acknowledge Him, our Maker.   There is an element of rejoicing in praising God, as we acknowledge Him, our King.

V3 Dancing is one way in the old testament, that people offered praise to the Lord.   Now, there are some who are more gifted in the area of Dance.   I fear dancing.   It’s not that I have two left feet, I’m just not graceful.   I can tell you, during worship, most Wednesday evenings, there are a few adorable children who dance to the music.  I have to say Coralie is so naturally graceful, not to mention talented.   I could watch her dance all night… It’s wonderful.

V4 Do you think of God taking pleasure in you? It’s easier to think about it that way when you realize you’ve been made beautiful by the salvation He’s provided.

V5 Have you ever been overtaken with elation as you praised the Lord?   Do you praise God as you’re lying in bed falling asleep?   Have you ever praised the Lord while you were asleep (in a dream)?

V 6-9 Executing justice here on earth (or in eternity) is another way God receives praise.   

In a spiritual sense, God’s Word (the two edged sword) is another reason we should give praise to God.   Not only that He gave His word, but that it has power to change us and sanctify us. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

And Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Then in Revelation 1:16 (we see Jesus), In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Revelation 2:12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

The giver of God’s Word is Jesus. God’s Word contains not only words of Justice and Judgement and Vengeance, but of Grace and Mercy John 1:17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.   Jesus himself is the embodiment of God’s word John 1:1 (NASB95) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..

Psalm 150 – Let All Things Praise the LORD

Psalm 150:1-6 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. 2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. 3 Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. 4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

I think this (and indeed all of God’s word) can stand on its own, so I won’t make any further comment.  

Just by way of wrap up; I’d just like to say a few standout things about the book of psalms. This comes from a Chuck Swindoll overview of psalms:

Psalms is a composite work from multiple authors.

• Moses wrote Psalm 90. 

• David wrote seventy-three psalms. 

• Asaph wrote twelve; 

• The descendants of Korah penned ten. 

• Solomon wrote one or two, 

• Ethan and Heman the Ezrahites were responsible for two others. 

• The remainder we don’t know their authors.

The name of the book, in Hebrew is Tehillim, which means “praise songs”. The English title of “Psalms” originated from the Septuagint’s Greek title Psalmoi, also meaning “songs of praise.”

The book of Psalms is organized into five books or collections.

The whole thing was probably compiled and organized the way we have it by about the time of Ezra.

The Psalms contain poetry, history and prophecy, wisdom, exhortations and much more.

The Psalms express a range of emotions from thanksgiving to praise, to lament, to expectancy.

I want to end with a couple of verses of exhortation from the new testament:

Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.