Old Testament - Psalms 146-150 - August 26, 2022

 8/26/2022 – Psalms 146-150

I love the synopsis that is at the beginning of Psalm 146: “Happy are they whose hope is in the Lord—The Lord looseth the prisoners, loveth the righteous, and reigneth forever”. 

And then we are told of more of the reasons why we should truly praise the Lord.  In v’s 8-9 we are reminded how the Lord reaches out to help us when our hearts our sad: “The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down…The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow…”.  

These are verses that I want to keep in my heart, for there have been times – and there will surely be more times – when I fall into one or more of these categories. And when those times come upon me, I want to remember that my comfort is in Him and that I can, and should, ask for His comforting warmth. I have done so in the past, and have felt His love and His care. I want to remember, in the future, to continue to go to Him every day, but especially on those very hard and sad and difficult days that at some time come to all of us.

This is continued in Psalm 147 verse 3: He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds. He truly comforts us in our times of mourning.” For “great is our Lord, and of great power, His understanding is infinite.”  V 11 tells us more of His feelings toward all of His children: The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear [revere] him, in those that hope in His mercy.” And for our sakes: “He sendeth forth his commandments upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.” (v 15)   And I want always, to ‘run very swiftly’ in keeping His commandments.

Psalm 149 continues with more ways that we can, and should, praise the Lord. V’s 4-6 tell us how He will react to our sincere praise: “For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful…let them sing aloud…Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.” He wants us to be a happy people – and better yet a joyful people. That is not just our goal, but it is very much His goal.   

The book of Psalms ends with this statement: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” For this is where we find our sure guidance and our deepest happiness as we progress in this, our earthly school.

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