Memory Verses

Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!). Psalm 150:6 AMP

Key people

Here is a list of key people found in today’s reading (in order of appearance) with bios from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

David. A young shepherd who gains fame first as a musician and later by killing the enemy champion Goliath.

Today’s Devotional Reading: Psalm 144 – 150

Psalm 144 Amplified Version (AMP)
Psalm 145 Amplified Version (AMP)
Psalm 146 Amplified Version (AMP)
Psalm 147 Amplified Version (AMP)
Psalm 148 Amplified Version (AMP)
Psalm 149 Amplified Version (AMP)
Psalm 150 Amplified Version (AMP)

From Matthew Henry’s Commentary

The four preceding psalms seem to have been penned by David before his accession to the crown, when he was persecuted by Saul; this seems to have been penned afterwards, when he was still in trouble (for there is no condition in this world privileged with an exemption from trouble), the neighbouring nations molesting him and giving him disturbance, especially the Philistines, 2 Sam. 5:17. In this psalm, I. He acknowledges, with triumph and thankfulness, the great goodness of God to him in advancing him to the government , Ps. 144:1-4. II. He prays to God to help him against the enemies who threatened him, Ps. 144:5-8, 11. III. He rejoices in the assurance of victory over them, Ps. 144:9, 10. IV. He prays for the prosperity of his own kingdom, and pleases himself with the hopes of it, Ps. 144:12-15. In singing this psalm we may give God the glory of our spiritual privileges and advancements, and fetch in help from him against our spiritual enemies; we may pray for the prosperity of our souls, of our families, and of our land; and, in the opinion of some of the Jewish writers, we may refer the psalm to the Messiah and his kingdom. (Chapter 144).

The five foregoing psalms were all of a piece, all full of prayers; this, and the five that follow it to the end of the book, are all of a piece too, all full of praises; and though only this is entitled David’s psalm yet we have no reason to think but that they were all his as well as all the foregoing prayers. And it is observable, 1. That after five psalms of prayer follow six psalms of praise; for those that are much in prayer shall not want matter for praise, and those that have sped in prayer must abound in praise. Our thanksgivings for mercy, when we have received it, should even exceed our supplications for it when we were in pursuit of it. David, in the last of his begging psalms, had promised to praise God (Ps. 145:9), and here he performs his promise. 2. That the book of Psalms concludes with psalms of praise, all praise, for praise, is the conclusion of the whole matter; it is that in which all the psalms centre. And it intimates that God’s people, towards the end of their life, should abound much in praise, and the rather because, at the end of their life, they hope to remove to the world of everlasting praise, and the nearer they come to heaven the more they should accustom themselves to the work of heaven. This is one of those psalms which are composed alphabetically (as Ps. 25 and 34, etc.), that it might be the more easily committed to memory, and kept in mind. The Jewish writers justly extol this psalm as a star of the first magnitude in this bright constellation; and some of them have an extravagant saying concerning it, not much unlike some of the popish superstitions, That whosoever will sing this psalm constantly three times a day shall certainly be happy in the world to come. In this psalm, I. David engages himself and others to praise God, Ps. 145:1, 2, 4-7, 10-12. II. He fastens upon those things that are proper matter for praise, God’s greatness (Ps. 145:3), his goodness (Ps. 145:8, 9), the proofs of both in the administration of his kingdom (Ps. 145:13), the kingdom of providence (Ps. 145:14-16), the kingdom of grace (Ps. 145:17-20), and then he concludes with a resolution to continue praising God (Ps. 145:21) with which resolution our hearts must be filled, and in which they must be fixed, in singing this psalm. Grateful Acknowledgments.David’s psalm of praise (Chapter 145).

This and all the rest of the psalms that follow begin and end with Hallelujah, a word which puts much of God’s praise into a little compass; for in it we praise him by his name Jah, the contraction of Jehovah. In this excellent psalm of praise, I. The psalmist engages himself to praise God, Ps. 146:1, 2. II. He engages others to trust in him, which is one necessary and acceptable way of praising him. 1. He shows why we should not trust in men, Ps. 146:3, 4. 2. Why we should trust in God (Ps. 146:5), because of his power in the kingdom of nature (Ps. 146:6), his dominion in the kingdom of providence (Ps. 146:7), and his grace in the kingdom of the Messiah (Ps. 146:8, 9), that everlasting kingdom (Ps. 146:10), to which many of the Jewish writers refer this psalm, and to which therefore we should have an eye, in the singing of it (Chapter 146).

This is another psalm of praise. Some think it was penned after the return of the Jews from their captivity; but it is so much of a piece with Ps. 145:1-21 that I rather think it was penned by David, and what is said (Ps. 147:2, 13) may well enough be applied to the first building and fortifying of Jerusalem in his time, and the gathering in of those that had been out-casts in Saul’s time. The Septuagint divides it into two; and we may divide it into the first and second part, but both of the same import. I. We are called upon to praise God, Ps. 147:1, 7, 12. II. We are furnished with matter for praise, for God is to be glorified, 1. As the God of nature, and so he is very great, Ps. 147:4, 5, 8, 9, 15-18. 2. As the God of grace, comforting his people, Ps. 147:3, 6, 10, 11. 3. As the God of Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion, settling their civil state (Ps. 147:2, 13, 14), and especially settling religion among them, Ps. 147:19, 20. It is easy, in singing this psalm, to apply it to ourselves, both as to personal and national mercies, were it but as easy to do so with suitable affections (Chapter 147).

This psalm is a most solemn and earnest call to all the creatures, according to their capacity, to praise their Creator, and to show forth his eternal power and Godhead, the invisible things of which are manifested in the things that are seen. Thereby the psalmist designs to express his great affection to the duty of praise; he is highly satisfied that God is praised, is very desirous that he may be more praised, and therefore does all he can to engage all about him in this pleasant work, yea, and all who shall come after him, whose hearts must be very dead and cold if they be not raised and enlarged, in praising God, by the lofty flights of divine poetry which we find in this psalm. I. He calls upon the higher house, the creatures that are placed in the upper world, to praise the Lord, both those that are intellectual beings, and are capable of doing it actively (Ps. 148:1, 2), and those that are not, and are therefore capable of doing it only objectively, Ps. 148:3-6. II. He calls upon the lower house, the creatures of this lower world, both those that can only minister matter of praise (Ps. 148:7-10) and those that, being endued with reason, are capable of offering up this sacrifice (Ps. 148:11-13), especially his own people, who have more cause to do it, and are more concerned to do it, than any other, Ps. 148:14 (Chapter 148).

The foregoing psalm was a hymn of praise to the Creator; this is a hymn of praise to the Redeemer. It is a psalm of triumph in the God of Israel, and over the enemies of Israel. Probably it was penned upon occasion of some victory which Israel was blessed and honoured with. Some conjecture that it was penned when David had taken the strong-hold of Zion, and settled his government there. But it looks further, to the kingdom of the Messiah, who, in the chariot of the everlasting gospel, goes forth conquering and to conquer. To him, and his graces and glories, we must have an eye, in singing this psalm, which proclaims, I. Abundance of joy to all the people of God, Ps. 149:1-5. II. Abundance of terror to the proudest of their enemies, Ps. 149:6-9 (Chapter 149).

The first and last of the psalms have both the same number of verses, are both short, and very memorable. But the scope of them is very different: the first psalm is an elaborate instruction in our duty, to prepare us for the comforts of our devotion; this is all rapture and transport, and perhaps was penned on purpose to be the conclusion of these sacred songs, to show what is the design of them all, and that is to assist us in praising God. The psalmist had been himself full of the praises of God, and here he would fain fill all the world with them: again and again he calls, “Praise the Lord, praise him, praise him,” no less than thirteen times in these six short verses. He shows, I. For what, and upon what account, God is to be praised (Ps. 150:1, 2), II. How, and with what expressions of joy, God is to be praised, Ps. 150:3-5. III. Who must praise the Lord; it is every one’s business, Ps. 150:6. In singing this psalm we should endeavour to get our hearts much affected with the perfections of God and the praises with which he is and shall be for ever attended, throughout all ages, world without end (Chapter 150).

Reflection

I’ve been waiting for another psalm like Psalm 150 – a complete praise session.

You have heard that your victory is in your praise. Maybe you have been looking for a blessing. The enemy has kept his imps murmuring and complaining, telling you that you need to give up on God’s program because people don’t want to help you get it done. Remember that nobody can stop God’s program. If I or you and anyone turn away, God will raise up a witness instead. The Bible says if these should hold their peace, the very rocks [stones] would cry out (Luke 19:40).

Tell somebody, “I will not let a rock or a tree or a bird cry out for me!”

Rather than standing still to see the salvation of the Lord, the enemy wants you to tuck tail and run. But the Lord wants you to put on your holy armour and stand (Ephesians 6:13).

The enemy wants you to drown out the voice of praise with misery. But I declare, there is a sound of rejoicing in the North. There is a sound of praise from every hill and valley. You don’t need to focus on everything that got you down; just get up, and think on whatsoever things are pure and of a good report (Philippians 4:8). Get up; and call your brother; call your sister; tell them to be encouraged. Stop looking at yourself only. Encourage somebody else. Pray for somebody else.

God knows what you need. He knew it when you asked him ten minutes ago, and yesterday and last week and before you ever fixed your lips to make your petition. God wants to hear the voice of your praise above all other sounds you make. So open your mouth and start praising Him!

And the God of Elijah said, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me (John 12:32). So open your mouth, and give God your praise, because as the songs said, you are next in line for a miracle; and the battle is not yours; and the victory is in your praise!

When the people of God cry out for deliverance, Satan thinks he has gotten away with something because God has not brought the evil to bear against him immediately. Do not fret. God has appointed that old serpent for destruction. And all of his works shall come to naught. Do not get discouraged, looking at the enemy’s prosperity. His time is short. It is time for you to get your praise on. Every praise is to our God.

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 KJV

References

« The Amplified Bible
« The King James Bible
« Matthew Henry’s Commentary

« Songs of Praise
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Image Source: 365 Seeds of Promise by Shenica Graham.

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