Daily reading

Today’s reading is: Psa. 115-118

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Psalm One Hundred Fifteen

  1. Psalm 115 is a celebration of how awesome the Lord is, and how He works for His own glory (Ps. 115:1). Verses 4-11 are nearly identical to Ps. 135:15-20 [TTB Day 200]
  2. Psalm 115 is a celebration of how awesome the Lord is, and how empty Gentile idolatry is (Ps. 115:2-8; 135:15-18).
    1. The Apostle Paul’s use of passages such as this placed him in much danger (Acts 19:26).
    2. This idolatrous worship is entirely demonic (Rev. 9:20; 1st Cor. 10:19-20).
  3. Psalm 115 is a call to worship for those who fear the Lord under the Godly leadership of the House of Israel (Davidic throne) and the House of Aaron (Solomonic temple) (Ps. 115:9-15). 
  4. Psalm 115 is a call to worship for all believers who live to bless the Lord until He chooses to call us home (Ps. 115:16-18).

Psalm One Hundred Sixteen

  1. A consistent prayer life builds a believer’s capacity for love with the Lord (Ps. 116:1-2).
  2. The psalmist endured a life-threatening situation (Ps. 116:3-4,8-9,15), and was comforted by the Psalms of David (Ps. 18:1-6) as he trusted the Lord.
  3. We cannot repay the Lord for His grace towards us (Ps. 116:12), but we can praise Him for all eternity.
  4. We are saved unto good works prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). Precious among all these works is the moment of our physical death (Ps. 116:15; Job 14:15).

Psalm One Hundred Seventeen

  1. This Hallelujah Psalm begins and ends with Hallelujah (Ps. 117:1-2).
    1. The Hallel songs are a group of Psalms from Ps. 113-118.
    2. This collection was (is) sung at the great festivals of Israel—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.
    3. At Passover, Ps. 113&114 were sung before the meal, and Ps. 115-118 were sung after the meal.
  2. It is the privilege of all humanity to praise and laud the Lord (Ps. 117:1).
    1. הָלַל hālal #1984: to shine, praise.
    2. שָׁבַח shābach #7623: to laud, praise, commend.
  3. Our praise comes about as we are oriented to His (lovingkindness) grace and truth (Ps. 117:2). This tandem foreshadows Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:17).
    1. חֶסֶד checed #2617: goodness, kindness, lovingkindness.
    2. אֱמֶת ’emeth #571: firmness, faithfulness, truth.

Psalm One Hundred Eighteen

  1. It is the privilege for every believer to give thanks to the Lord on the basis of His goodness and lovingkindness (Ps. 118:1,29). This is the refrain that opened Ps. 106 & Ps. 107. In this psalm it serves to both open and close.
  2. The psalmist emphasizes the corporate nature of this thanksgiving (Ps. 118:2-4). Multiple and various corporate bodies can testify: His lovingkindness is everlasting. לְעֹולָ֣ם חַסְדֹּֽו le‘owlām chacdow.
  3. The psalmist has confidence in the midst of personal conflict (Ps. 118:5-9).
  4. The psalmist has confidence in the midst of national conflict (Ps. 118:10-14).
  5. The psalmist rejoices in the Divine discipline he endures (Ps. 118:15-18; 1st Cor. 11:32; Heb. 12:7-11).
  6. The psalmist rejoices in open-gate opportunities to walk in righteousness and bear even more fruit (Ps. 118:19-21; Rev. 3:8).
  7. The psalmist celebrates the rejected stone, Who has become the chief corner stone (Ps. 118:22-29).
    1. Christ quoted this psalm in a very important message (Matt. 21:42; Mk. 12:10-11; Lk. 20:17).
    2. Peter quoted this psalm in his gospel message (Acts 4:11-12), and in his description of the Church (1st Pet. 2:4-8).
    3. Paul also alluded to this psalm in his description of the Church as a holy temple (Eph. 2:20).
    4. The believers in Jerusalem quoted this psalm as they celebrated the triumphal entry of their Christ (Ps. 118:25-26; Matt. 21:9).
    5. The remnant of believers in Jerusalem at the 2nd Advent will likewise quote this psalm (Matt. 23:39).