Sunday, February 1, 2015 pm
Hallelujah
Psalm 113
Like several before, this is one the “Hallelujah” psalms.
It is also the first of the psalms cited during of the Passover
meal, as well as at other Jewish feasts. These psalms are called the
“Hallel” (Psalms 113-118).
It is sung in commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt (with the
next the crossing of the Red Sea).
When this psalm was written is not known, but many commentators place it
after the return from exile in Babylon.
It is a psalm that praises God for who He is and what He does.
a.
Praise the LORD
– again, this is the Hebrew transliteration of the word “hallelujah”
meaning, “Praise the LORD”
“Hallel” meaning “praise” and “Yah” being YHWH.
b.
Praise (Him) you servants of the LORD – while all mankind ought to acknowledge Him (and one
day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess – Phil. 2:10-11),
His servants are the ones who lead this praise and the ones to whom it
means the most.
Psalm 22:23, “You who fear the
LORD, praise Him! All you
descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of
Israel.”
Our genuine faith when tested will manifest our praise, honor and glory
to Him (at His revelation) – 1 Peter 1:7.
Hebrews 13:15 calls for us to continually offer the sacrifice of praise
to God…
Consider also Matt. 5:16 – when we let our lights shine, the world
glorifies Him. 1 Peter 2:12
c.
Praise the name of the
LORD! Blessed be the name of
the LORD from this time forth and forevermore - What’s in a name? It is
about identity. Much is said
about the name of God in scripture.
Isaiah 12:4, “And in that day you will say: “Praise the Lord, call
upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that
His name is exalted.”
Matt. 6:9, in our prayers, “Hallowed
be Your name.”
AGAIN we are reminded that His name ought to be treated with reverence
(cf. Psa. 111:9). Exodus
20:7 – one of the 10 commandments: Do not take His name in vain.
d.
From the rising of the sun to its going down the name of the LORD is to be
praised -
We ought to render praise to the LORD God always.
the praise of God is something that ought to be continually on
our minds. Like 1 Thess.
5:17 speaks of praying without ceasing (not that we are praying 24/7,
but it is a constant part of our lives and we are such that we can pray
at any time. Similarly,
praising God ought to be a habit in our lives.
NOT the flippant uttering of the words, but really seeking to
exalt Him and to glorify Him.
The repetition of praise
here is not vain, but rather an emphasis of its importance.
Our lives ought to be models of praise to Him.
By our example, our words, our deeds, it ought to bring glory to
Him (Col. 3:17). Let Him be
praised all day long. Begin
your day by thanking and praising Him.
Live throughout your day bringing glory to His name.
As you lay down at night, call upon his name.
a.
Is high above all
nations - He
is God, not just of Israel, but of the whole of creation.
He created heaven and earth (Gen. 1:1).
A study of many of the prophets bears this out – Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Ezekiel and others announce judgment against various nations around
Israel. At least 3 of the
Minor Prophets were written to nations other than Israel (and Judah).
Jeremiah 23:23-24 – He is a God both near and far off, you
cannot hide from Him.
Acts 10:34-36 says of Jesus – He is Lord of all.
The point is He is in control and thus He is worthy of our praise!
b.
His glory above the heavens – Psalm 19:1-6 speaks of the heavens declare the glory of
God. The point is
creation praises God. In
this age of evolution and natural selection it is amazing how much
science is uncovering the design of this universe.
Romans 1:20 speaks of how since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made
– as a result mankind is without excuse.
c.
Who is like the LORD our
God, who dwells on high…?
God dwells in heaven where His throne is.
He is of the spiritual realm –
over all things in the world.
Truly God is omniscient and omnipresent.
Man has done many things in this world, but nothing He does can
defeat the LORD or compare to His greatness.
Revelation 5:13, “And every creature which is in heaven and on the
earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are
in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to
Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!””
Isaiah 66:1-2,
“Thus says the
Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the
house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all
those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the
Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite
spirit, And who trembles at My word.”
This text is quoted in Acts
7:49-50
d.
He
humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and the
earth? An interesting
description of God. The
point is that even though He is higher than man in every way, yet He
cares about us! He is
concerned about His creation.
He so loved the world He gave us His Son (John 3:16)
Psalm 8:4 finds David praising God acknowledging, “What is man that you
are mindful of Him”. The
Hebrew writer quotes this in Heb. 2:6.
This is unlike the god of Islam and other world religions, He cares
about us. The god of Islam
is impersonal and does not dwell within us.
Most eastern religions speak of a god that is impersonal, in some
cases nothing more than a force.
God cares and that is what this verse says.
So does 1 Peter 5:7.
e.
He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash
heap, that He may seat him with princes, with the princes of His people.
Another point of emphasis throughout scripture is our need to care for
those who are needy. When
Jesus was upon this earth, He demonstrated His concern for them by going
to them.
In the New Testament we are commanded to care for the poor and needy –
James 1:27, cf. Matt. 25:31-46
Prov. 19:17 tells us He takes notice of those who care for the
poor, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay
back what he has given.”
Luke 14:12-14,
“Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a
dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your
relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you
be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the
lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you;
for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.””
Eph. 4:28 tells us to work so
that we can give to those in need.
ALSO, God cares for the poor.
Salvation is available to all, regardless of social status.
In fact, it is designed in such a way that it is MORE appealing
to those who are deprived in this life.
James 2:5, ““Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen
the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
which He promised to those who love Him?”
1 Cor. 1:26-31 would include this as it speaks of God choosing the
“Foolish things”, “weak things” and “base things”.
Both Israel and Judah were continually condemned because they neglected
or exploited their poor and helpless.
In the end, God will EXALT the poor who turn to Him.
f.
He grants the barren
woman a home, like a joyful mother of children – often the barren thought of themselves as despised and
rejected. But God has
overcome even that in accomplishing His plan.
Throughout their early history, a part of fulfilling His plan was
the birth of chosen children (Isaac, Jacob, etc.).
It demonstrated His power to accomplish His purpose.
Also, consider Israel given her “land of milk and honey.”
If this psalm is recounting
Israel’s captivity in Egypt we find God delivered them.
In a land where they were doomed and it seemed hopeless, God made
the way for them to be delivered.
Physically, even the attempt to stop them by Pharaoh commanding
that young boys be killed when they were born failed because of God’s
purpose.
IF He can do that, think of what He can do for us.
Heb. 7:25, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God
through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward
you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an
abundance for every good work.”
Romans 14:4, God is able to make man stand; Rom. 11:23 He is able to
graft in the Gentiles
2 Peter 2:9 He knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation.
Praising God ought to be a regular part of our lives.
When we understand who He is, what He has done for us, and what
He has promised us, we ought to praise Him always.
And as we consider and praise Him, it deepens our appreciation
for Him even more. And that
is just another spiritual blessing in Him.
Hallelujah!