From Psalms 146-150

I generally enjoy the fact that God’s people, including myself can please the LORD. He has done so many things for us, lavishing his love on us that I think it is an appropriate response to want to reciprocate his love.

This post is part of my bible in a year series.

Passage and Comments

The Psalmist says;

147 Praise the Lord!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

4 He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.

6 The Lord lifts up the humble;

he casts the wicked to the ground. (Ps 147.1-6)

The Psalm begins with praise and gives reasons why it is good to do so.

What motivates you to praise God?

The Psalmist praises God because the LORD builds up the people of Jerusalem. He brings people together and cares for the weak and needy. He praises the LORD because he is the creator of the universe. All his people need do to see his works is to look around. The stars in particular should remind us of the LORD’s promise to give Abraham many offspring (Gen 15.5). The LORD is just. He does not allow wickedness to flourish, he will judge and end it. The LORD raises up the humble. The weak and needy will not always be so.

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;

make melody to our God on the lyre!

8 He covers the heavens with clouds;

he prepares rain for the earth;

he makes grass grow on the hills.

9 He gives to the beasts their food,

and to the young ravens that cry.

10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,

nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,

in those who hope in his steadfast love.  (Ps 147:7–11)

Look at creation and see the ongoing sustaining work of the LORD.

What does the LORD delight in?

Of all the things in creation, the LORD is pleased with those who fear him and hope in his steadfast love. He does not delight in the strength of the things of this world. He delights in fear – which I take to mean reverent awe and respect. He delights in hope, looking to him, trusting that he will take care of us. We each have issues we deal with and the LORD knows that. Put your fear and hope in him, he will take care of you. And he will because he loves us.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;

he blesses your children within you.

14 He makes peace in your borders;

he fills you with the finest of the wheat. (Ps 147.12-14)

The Psalmist calls the people of Jerusalem to praise the LORD. The remain standing because the LORD has strengthened them. Their children are blessed. It seems likely the Psalmist has peace in mind because they are not at war. They prosper and are well fed because the LORD is with them. These blessings we know may be short lived in Israel’s history.

What has the LORD done you are grateful for?

15 He sends out his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

16 He gives snow like wool;

he scatters frost like ashes.

17 He hurls down his crystals of mice like crumbs;

who can stand before his cold?

18 He sends out his word, and melts them;

he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.

19 He declares his word to Jacob,

his statutes and rules to Israel.

20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation;

they do not know his rules.

Praise the Lord! (Ps 147.15-20)

The LORD is sovereign over creation. He speaks and all creation obeys him. We believe in a speaking God and his word has power. The LORD speaks to his people. To Israel he has given the law and it has marked them off from all other nations. He has told them how to live. Again this sets them apart from all others. The giving of the law is another reason why Israel praised the LORD.

How has God’s word blessed you and set you apart from other people?

Story of Jesus

LORD Jesus is the one who put us into this blessed relationship with the father. And he also extends his love to us, not just in his faithfulness unto death on the cross, but through the constant work of his Spirit and ongoing intercession. I think also, that we give Jesus pleasure as well when we recognise his steadfast love, his commitment to his people. Fear and hope in Jesus as well.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (2 Cor 5:6–9)

Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.