Highlights:
We open with one of David's battle songs sung by his men as he marches forth to war (Ps. 144). The second (145) may have been sung by David's soldiers after victory in battle. The last five psalms are a grand outburst of Hallelujah songs to the majesty of our Lord. God reigns; Let all Creation praise the One True Triune God; Let the angels praise God; Let the saints Praise God.
The psalmist begins and ends each of the last five psalms saying: Praise ye the Lord. . . . While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. . . . (We) praise the Lord that we can look to Him for our needs. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is. . . . Praise ye the Lord (Ps. 146:1-2,5-6,10).
The psalmist continues by saying: Praise ye the Lord. . . . He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. . . . He sendeth forth His Commandment upon earth: His Word runneth very swiftly (147:1,3,15). Kings of the earth, and all people . . . Let them praise the Name of the Lord: for His Name alone is excellent (148:11,13).
As we purpose to truly put Christ first in our lives, we will experience interruptions which demand our time and attention. Even "good things" can keep us from "the best" that God would give us. The loss of "good things" may test us to see if, like Job, we can say: He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).
The psalms reveal that nothing comes into our lives by accident. Everything God permits is to develop His highest good in us.
These psalms assure us we have a loving, Heavenly Father who desires the best for His children. To make this possible, He has provided His Word as the One True Guide that reveals how we should live to please Him. Our Lord has provided His Church as a place where we can sing praises to Him, share our testimonies with others who love Him, and receive instruction and inspiration from spiritual leaders. As Christians, we were never meant to be self-sufficient, independent loners but responsible members of His Church. Christ is the Head . . . From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted (held together) by that which every joint supplieth (Eph. 4:15-16).
The Book of Psalms concludes by proclaiming: Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord (Ps. 150:6).
Thought for Today:
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who gives sight to the blind (Ps. 146:8). Jesus Christ opened blind eyes. Then touched He their eyes . . . . And their eyes were opened (Matt. 9:27-30; Mark 10:46-52; John 9:1-41).
Word Studies:
144:7 rid =b> rescue; 144:13 garners =b> grain storehouses; streets =b> fields; 145:3 unsearchable =b> beyond our understanding; 147:4 telleth =b> counts; 148:7 dragons =b> large sea animals.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Henry Rogers • Staff: Mike Moore • Government Official: Rep. John Campbell (CA) • Country: Slovenia (2 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Slovenian and Serbo-Croatian • Freedom of religion • 81% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Humble yourself, pray, and seek the will of God as you read His Word (II Chron. 7:14).
Optional Reading: 2 Timothy 4
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:9
