June 12, 2024 - Psalms 146-150

The days pass and, as they do, we make our way through the Scriptures.  And what a joyful path that is!  However, having been so encouraged reading the psalms, it’s always a bit of a bitter sweet thing for me to move on from them.  They are like old friends who comfort me in times of sadness or trouble and who remind me of all the joys that I have in Christ.  It is good to return to old friends over and over again.  In these last psalms, the psalmist is focused on the praise and worship of God.  Over and over again, he instructs us to praise the Lord.  We are to praise God for mercies personally experienced:  “Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul!” (146:1).  Not someone else, but my own soul is to cry out.  It is right to praise the Lord at all times, not just occasionally, for all his great works:  “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting” (147:1).  All of creation is to praise him:  “Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!  Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!  Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!” (148:1-3).  And, especially, in the gathering of the congregation, his people are to praise him:  “Praise the Lord!  Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!” (149:1) & “Praise the Lord!  Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!” (150:1).  I was thinking about that little prayer we often teach our children:  “God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food.”  Indeed!

Praise him, praise him! Jesus, our blessed redeemer!

Sing, O earth, his wonderful love proclaim!

Hail him, hail him! Highest archangels in glory!

Strength and honor give to his holy name!

Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard his children.

In his arms he carries them all day long.

Praise him! Praise him! tell of his excellent greatness.

Praise him! Praise him! ever in  joyful song.   –Fanny Crosby (1869)