Songs of Praise

November 10, 2024 Background Scripture: Psalm 146 - 150 Lesson Passage: Psalm 146, 150 Israel had many occasions throughout their history in which they offered praise to God as a nation. Many of those occasions are recorded in the bible. Although some praise was spontaneous, much was carefully orchestrated so the masses of Israel could participate in the singing of praise to God. Skilled singers and musicians were organized to lead the nation during times of national praise and worship of God. This certainly was appropriate at the dedication of the second Temple and the dedication of the wall around Jerusalem after Israel's return from Babylonian captivity. It is recorded in Ezra that, "the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy." Nehemiah records, "Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps," The Book of Psalms, the psaltery, is known as the hymn book of Israel. The psalms were used for private devotions as well as public assemblies. They were written over a period that covered at least one thousand years from the time of Moses to the time of Ezra. There were many different authors for most of the psalms. Yet, the names of some authors remain anonymous even today. This is the case for the five psalms that comprise the Background Scripture for today's lesson. The Book of Psalms is all about the praiseworthiness of God. How does one close out such an amazing choreography of praise to God? These five psalms provide a fitting closing for the psaltery as it is arranged in the bible today, The full range of human emotions and experience is represented in the Book of Psalms. However, the five psalms under consideration today all focus on praise of God. Each psalm in our Background Scripture opens and closes with the same declaration, "Praise the Lord!". "Praise the Lord!" Is the English translation of the Hebrew word, "Hallelujah!" The other expressions recorded in these psalms suggest they were sung to an upbeat tempo. The voices of the singers/worshipers would have echoed praises to the God of Israel. In Psalm 146, God is praised as the one who helps the descendants of Jacob. The psalmist reminds worshipers that the help provided by people is always temporary because their lives are finite. God, on the other hand, is infinite in existence and blessings. God has a track record of deliverance of the righteous. In Psalm 147, God is praised as the God of nature and life. He is the provider for all. Yet, He delights in the self-sufficiency of none. The Lord delights in those who turn to Him for help. God made Israel His own special people. It is through Israel that God reaches out to all mankind. Jesus stated it plainly, "Salvation is of the Jews." In Psalm 148, even nature is called upon to offer praise to God. He is worthy because He created everything. It is fitting that His creation should praise Him. There is none comparable to God. In Psalm 149, Israel is again called upon to praise God by singing a new song to Him. God is praised as King, Savior, and Judge, The saints of God are called to celebrate in His glory. We glory in God knowing that disobedient rulers and nations will be punished by Him. God elevates His saints above all political dignitaries in this world. Finally, Psalm 150 closes the psaltery by declaring where to praise God, why to praise God, and what to use to praise God. Then the cry goes out for everything with the breath of life in it to, "Praise the Lord!" Hallelujah! Robert C. Hudson October 26, 2024