Sunday 09:23:12

Psalms 113-118 are known as the “Egyptian Hallel Psalms”. Hallel means Praise. They are called the Hallel Psalms because of their focus and repetition of hallel, “praise”, …and hallelujah – Praise the Lord. These 5 psalms were part of the annual feasts of the Israelites. Psalms 113-114 were recited or sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115-118 after the meal. These were no doubt sung by Jesus throughout his life. Matt 26 and Mk 14 mention Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn after the last supper – the Passover meal – before Jesus was arrested. That hymn would have been these Hallel Psalms Psalm 113:1-9 v. 1 – Praise the Lord – Hallelujah Praise (Hallel) o servants of the Lord, praise (hallel) the name of the Lord. God’s people – during worship at the temple, the priests and the people – all the servants of the Lord were called upon to praise God. The title for God, LORD, or “Yahweh” calls attention to the acts of God and his revelation of himself to his people. He is the Lord, who reigns in authority, but has also been kind to us and has made himself known to us. vv. 2-3 with the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true worship of God has been extended to all the earth. My whole life is to be Hallelu Yah, praise the Lord. All day, every day, His name is to be praised. vv. 4-6 The Lord is sovereign over everything. The word “sovereign” means he rules like a king. The question is posed to the worshippers: Who is like the Lord our God? He is exalted in his rule – enthroned on high. Ruling from the highest realm. Yet he has also concerned himself with the needs of his people. He “stoops down” to his needy children. What a marvelous God – high, exalted, mighty, and yet deeply caring about people. vv. 7-9 The Lord takes care of the needs of the poor and needy by moving them from being outcasts to having position of prominence. Psalm 115:1 How quick are we to seek praise from other people? How often do we seek praise from other people? How badly do we want to show how smart we are or how pretty or how capable so that others praise us? How timid are we to give the Lord the credit? Because of his love and faithfulness, praise the Lord. Not to me, but Hallelu Yah, praise to the Lord. Psalm 116:1-2 I love him b/c he heard my cry for mercy (supplication – petition for help or favor of someone in authority). B/c he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. I love the Lord b/c of who he is, but also b/c when I needed him, he heard me. For the believer suffering has purpose. I have learned to lean on God in suffering. I have found him faithful to hear me and to be with me and to care about my suffering. I can praise him even in suffering. I need to praise him even in suffering. I need to know that He hears me. I need to know that my suffering is not some random act of the universe. I need to know that He is still the sovereign Lord when my troubles are pressing in on me. I need to say, “hallelujah, praise the Lord” …especially in those times that I need his mercy. In suffering I can say Hallelu Yah, praise the Lord.