What a gift the Lord gave in setting aside one day each week for worship and rest! Although Old Testament Israel celebrated the Sabbath on the last day of the week, we worship on the first day to mark Christ's resurrection. As we worship and rest today, Psalm 138 reminds me that I should thank … Continue reading Fulfilled purpose, Psalm 138
Weeping in Exile, Psalm 137
Psalm 137 is a sad dirge that records the Israelites' lament in exile. They had been torn from their homes, their infants ripped from their arms; they had watched in horror as those homes were torched and those babies were dashed against stones. After that horrible trauma, their captors had the audacity to taunt them, asking … Continue reading Weeping in Exile, Psalm 137
His steadfast love endures forever, Psalm 136
No question about what title to choose for Psalm 136! The first line of every verses praises God for his wonderful works, while each second line in this antiphonal psalm proclaims, "for his steadfast love endures forever." We've used this psalm in the past as a litany at Thanksgiving gatherings. The leader reads initial lines and … Continue reading His steadfast love endures forever, Psalm 136
Above all gods, Psalm 135
As we leave the "mini-psalter" of the 15 "Song of Ascents" psalms, we find a longer psalm bookended with calls to praise God. The first three verses of Psalm 135 sing with a rousing call to praise. These verses are primarily directed to the priests (or modern-day church leaders), but are applicable for all of … Continue reading Above all gods, Psalm 135
Precious oil, Psalm 133
Last evening some families from our church parish gathered at our house for a meal, fellowship, and prayer. We prayed especially for our church and the members of our parish who were not able to attend. The fellowship was precious. This morning I see that in God's amazing providence the next "Psalm of Ascent" for … Continue reading Precious oil, Psalm 133
Promises, promises, Psalm 132
Psalm 132 pulses with God's promises to King David, but it also assures today's believers of God's faithfulness to his promises for the church in all ages. It's a beautiful reminder that God fulfills his promises. He sometimes does that in ways we did not expect, but they are often far better than our wildest imaginings. The … Continue reading Promises, promises, Psalm 132
Quiet Soul, Psalm 131
After Psalm 130's heart-rending cry, comes the peace of Psalm 131. The psalmist writes as a humble person who does not understand everything, but depends on the Lord. O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous … Continue reading Quiet Soul, Psalm 131
Penitential plea, Psalm 130
When I wake during the night, as I often do these days, I pray for people I know who suffer. If I can't sleep, I'm sure that some of them are not sleeping either, and I pray for individuals whose names God brings to mind. These "mid-night" prayers (which occur at all hours of the … Continue reading Penitential plea, Psalm 130
Plowmen have not prevailed, Psalm 129
Chronic affliction bows down the spirit. The psalmist of Psalm 129 vividly envisions his persecutors as plowmen gouging long furrows upon his bowed back. Afflicted from his youth, he refers to more than personal adversity. God's people have been afflicted since the church's inception. "Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth"— let Israel now … Continue reading Plowmen have not prevailed, Psalm 129
Peaceful families, Psalm 128
In Psalm 128 we see a beautiful tableau of a peaceful and faithful family. Its initial verse sets out a two-fold requirement (Psalm 128:1, ESV): Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We teach our children that the … Continue reading Peaceful families, Psalm 128
Glenda Faye Mathes 