Praise builds as we near the end of the Psalter, and Psalm 147 overflows with praise. It also begins with a section of great comfort to the brokenhearted then cycles through sections with seasonal imagery. Identical praise phrases bookend the psalm. Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for … Continue reading Broken hearts and changing seasons, Psalm 147
Plants and pillars, Psalm 144
Reformed folks emphasize the covenant, God's promises to believers and their children throughout all of history, and Psalm 144 contains two beautiful similes for covenant children: sons like plants full-grown and daughters like a palace's corner pillars (Psalm 144:12, ESV). What beautiful images of children who grow into godly adults doing what God created them to … Continue reading Plants and pillars, Psalm 144
Poured out complaint, Psalm 142
While David was hiding in a cave, he poured out his heart in this lament to God. Most of us become uncomfortable when praying aloud, but David emphasizes that this prayer is vocalized. With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD. I pour out … Continue reading Poured out complaint, Psalm 142
Passing by safely, Psalm 141
David was obviously in deep distress when he wrote this psalm. No biblical author, inspired by the Holy Spirit, portrays a wider range of human emotions than David in his psalms. When we struggle emotionally, we can remind ourselves that we are in good company. David was a man after God's own heart. The psalm … Continue reading Passing by safely, Psalm 141
Executing Justice, Psalm 140
Psalm 140 begins darkly, but ends in the light. It was written by David, who was persecuted and maligned by Saul and his counselors as well as betrayed by Doeg. It applies to believers today who are persecuted and betrayed, not only in other lands, but also in our own society where evil flourishes and deceit thrives—sometimes … Continue reading Executing Justice, Psalm 140
Completely known, Psalm 139
Psalm 139 contains well-known verses that have become a rallying cry for the pro-life movement, but I maintain that the entire Bible affirms the unborn child's personhood. And Psalm 139 contains so much more than those few verses speaking about God creating a child in the womb. The entire psalm speaks about God's intimate and … Continue reading Completely known, Psalm 139
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
Glenda Faye Mathes 