SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 12/17/2012
3:39:46 PM
My Worship Time Focus: Psalm
150-PT-1
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Ps. 150:1a & 6b
Message of
the verses: We will begin to look at the very last psalm
in the book of Psalms, the 150th Psalm. It has been a journey that has taken me more
than a year to complete, but well worth the journey. We will begin by looking at several introductions
from different Bible Commentators in order to better understand this psalm.
“This
psalm is of the same kind and upon the same subject with the two preceding
ones; and very probably was written by the same hand, and about the same time;
and is a very proper psalm to conclude this book with, being all praise. Some
say {q} this psalm was sung by the Israelites, when they came with their
firstfruits into the sanctuary, with the basket on their shoulders.
"Thirteen" times in this short psalm is the word "praise"
used; not on account of thirteen properties or perfections in God, as Kimchi
thinks: but it is so frequently and in every clause used, to show the vehement
desire of the psalmist that the Lord might be praised; and to express his sense
of things, how worthy he is of praise; and that all ways and means to praise
him should be made use of, all being little enough to set forth his honour and
glory. And not the Levites only, whose business it was in the temple service to
praise the Lord with musical instruments, are here exhorted to it, as R. Judah
the Levite thinks, but all people; not the people of Israel only, as Kimchi;
but the Gentiles also, even all that have breath, #Ps 150:6. For, as R. Obadiah
Gaon observes, this psalm belongs to the times of the Messiah; to the Gospel
dispensation, to the latter part of it, especially when Jews and Gentiles shall
be converted; and when all will praise the Lord, as they will have reason for
it.” (John Gill)
“The first and last of the psalms have both the same
number of verses, are both short, and very memorable. But the scope of them is
very different: the first psalm is an elaborate instruction in our duty, to
prepare us for the comforts of our devotion; this is all rapture and transport,
and perhaps was penned on purpose to be the conclusion of these sacred songs,
to show what is the design of them all, and that is to assist us in praising
God. The psalmist had been himself full of the praises of God, and here he
would fain fill all the world with them: again and again he calls,
"Praise the Lord, praise him,
praise him,"
no less than thirteen times
in these six short verses. He shows,
I. For what, and upon what account, God is
to be praised, #Ps 150:1, 2,
II. How, and with what expressions of joy,
God is to be praised, #Ps 150:3-5.
III. Who must praise the Lord; it is every one’s business, #Ps 150:6. In
singing this psalm we should endeavour to get our hearts much affected with the
perfections of God and the praises with which he is and shall be forever
attended, throughout all ages, world without end.” (Matthew Henry)
“We have now reached the last summit of the mountain
chain of Psalms. It rises high into the clear azure, and its brow is bathed in
the sunlight of the eternal world of worship, it is a rapture. The poet prophet
is full of inspiration and enthusiasm. He slays not to argue, to teach, to
explain; but cries with burning words, ‘Praise him, Praise him, Praise ye the
LORD.’” (Charles H. Spurgeon)
“When you read and study the psalms, you meet with joys
and sorrows, tears and trials, pain and pleasures, but the book of Psalms closes on the highest note of praise! Like the book of Revelation that closes the
New Testament, this final psalm says to God’s people, ‘Don’t worry—this is the
way the story will end. We shall all be
praising the Lord!’ The word ‘praise’ is
used thirteen times in this psalm, and ten of those times, we are commanded to ‘Praise Him.’ Each of the previous four Books of Psalms
ends with a benediction (41:13; 72:18-19; 89:52; 106:48), but the final Book
ends with a whole psalm devoted to praise.
Like the previous psalm, it gives us a summary of some essentials of
true worship.” (Warren Wiersbe)
The Focus of Worship:
The Lord (1a, 6b): “Praise the
LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise
the LORD!”
I am not sure that all versions of the Bible are like the
NASB, in that when we see the word “LORD” in all capital letters that it means
Yahweh or not, but I do know that that is what it means in the NASB. In the English we use the word Jehovah to
mean Yahweh. When Moses was up on the
mountain looking at the burning bush he was speaking to God and asked God His
name so that he could tell the children of Israel who sent him. “Ex 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I
AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ’I AM has sent me to
you.’"
Yahweh it the covenant keeping God, and when we look at
the New Testament, which is the New Covenant we must think of what Jesus Christ
has done for all of those who believe in Him, and that is He paid the price for
our sin, paid it in the way that His Father was satisfied with His
sacrifice. It was not with the blood of
bulls and goats that has caused those who believe in Jesus Christ to be saved
from their sins, but the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of
God.
Dr. Wiersbe points out that the word “God” is the “power
name” of God (El, Elohim), and this reminds us that whatever He promises He is
able to perform. “Worship is not about
the worshiper and his or her needs; it is about God and His power and
glory. Certainly we bring our burdens
and needs with us into the sanctuary (1Peter 5:7), but we focus our attention
on the Lord.” “Casting all your anxiety
on Him, because He cares for you (1Peter 5:7).”
Spiritual meaning
for my life today: Remember that
worship is not about me but about the Lord and His power and glory.
12/17/2012 4:16:00 PM
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