Bible Reading Reflection from Psalms 100-106

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (PTS) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

ℙ𝕊𝔸𝕃𝕄 𝟙𝟘𝟘:𝟙

"Make a loud shout to Yahweh, all the earth."

Samuel Burder observed that this is the only Psalm that is entitled "A Psalm of Praise" and rightly so.

Spurgeon said, "Nothing can be more sublime this side of heaven than the singing of this noble psalm by a vast congregation."

I have committed this Psalm to memory since I was a teenager. Beautiful Psalm indeed.

V1 calls to make a loud shout. It doesn't say to sing. There's time to sing, pray, cry, and shout!

This shouting has the idea of a shout for battle: a loud genuine shout. Gordon Churchyard commented that it's like you shouting at a football match for your team to win.

When shall we practice this? In normal church worship? Maybe not! In an open big congregation like a Christian music concert? Definitely yes!

Maybe even inside normal church worship when like responsive reading or any responsive event like shouting in chorus: "Hallelujah" "Praise the Lord!"

I was shouting my lungs out in exhilaration when I and my friends were going to a beautiful waterfall in 2018. Shouting is definitely an expression of celebration.

We ought to shout to the Lord!

 

ℙ𝕊𝔸𝕃𝕄 𝟙𝟘𝟙:𝟟

"He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;

He who speaks lies shall not be established before my eyes."

Wow! What a principle! What a resolution! This psalm is full of resolution "I will," that Spurgeon called "The psalm of Pious Resolution." Perfect to keep in mind when making a New Year's Resolution.

Leaders, CEOs, Managers, Rulers, and Magistrates must be reminded of this Psalm again and again. It is said that Ernest, Duke of Saxe Gotha would send a copy of this Psalm to his unfaithful minister that it became a proverb in the country that if any official had done anything wrong: He will certainly receive Ps 101 from the prince. That's why Bible expositors have rightly called this Psalm "The Mirror for Magistrate"

Takeaway: Let's not associate with anyone of ill reputation. Don't even employ them!

Unfortunately, many politicians seem to be hiring some thugs to do their work!

 

ℙ𝕊𝔸𝕃𝕄 𝟙𝟘𝟚:𝟙𝟘

"Because of Your indignation and Your wrath,

For You have lifted me up and cast me away."

There's no mention of sin or confession in this psalm, but the psalmist was in great suffering like Job.

Some people suffered because of their deeds. Some people suffered because God is chastising them. Some people suffered for others to learn from their suffering, like Hosea and Ezekiel. Some people suffered because God is up to something divine, like Job.

 

ℙ𝕊𝔸𝕃𝕄 𝟙𝟘𝟛:𝟙

"Bless Yahweh, O my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name."

This psalm calls to bless God 7 times. To bless God means to speak well of God. To eulogize God. And David has given wonderful reasons to praise/bless/eulogize/speak well of God.

Oh! How we need to recall God's goodness! Oh! How we need to preach to ourselves! How we need to sing to ourselves! How we need to encourage ourselves!

Yes, Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Matt Redman's famous song 10,000 Reasons is taken out from this Psalm. And who doesn't like that song!? The tune, lyrics, voice, and the music.

 

ℙ𝕊𝔸𝕃𝕄 𝟙𝟘𝟜:𝟙-𝟚

"Bless Yahweh, O my soul!

O Yahweh my God, You are very great;

You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

Wrapping Yourself with light as with a cloak,

Stretching out the heavens like a tent curtain."

 

This Psalm, like 103, begins and ends with "Bless the LORD (Yahweh), O my soul!"

So, the response after reading this Psalm is to speak well of God, praise Him, honor Him, worship Him, sing of Him, delight in Him, and enjoy Him.

The reasons are embedded in v1-32. It's not for selfish interests (good job, careers, achievements, etc.) It's all about God's wondrous work of Creation and Providence. If these are not sufficient to bless God, I am afraid nothing personal reason will.

Spurgeon called this Psalm a Poet's version of Genesis (6 days creation account.

Modern songwriter Chris Tomlin released "How great is our God" from this Psalm, which we all love to sing even in the bathroom!

The majesty of God is described with the metaphor of clothing. Because clothes conceal the ordinariness of man and reveal the majesty of man. You can recognize a beggar and a rich man from their clothes. People respect or despise the person by what he wears.

God cannot be seen but His clothes are seen. And thus, He is worthy of praise!

 

ℙ𝕊𝔸𝕃𝕄 𝟙𝟘𝟝:𝟙

"Oh give thanks to Yahweh, call upon His name;

Make known His acts among the peoples."

If Psalm 104 captured the creation account, this Psalm recalled the events of Exodus.

It calls us to declare the work of God.

Would we as well often talk about the great work of sanctification in our personal lives and as a church when we fellowship!?

 

ℙ𝕊𝔸𝕃𝕄 𝟙𝟘𝟞:𝟜𝟠

"Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,

From everlasting to everlasting.

And let all the people say, “Amen.”

Praise Yah!"

 

My brain is not powerful enough to summarize the teaching of this 48-verse long Psalm in a readable WhatsApp Update. But it's a great Psalm 😂

It begins and ends with a call to praise Yahweh. And again, we sinners tend to be grumpy, and therefore serves us well to remind us to be grateful to God always.

This Psalm resurrected all the rebellious nature of the Israelites, their sins, and their punishments. The psalmist couldn't bear the memory and asked God for forgiveness, mercy, and grace (salvation) in v4 and v47.

Indeed, there's forgiveness in God that He may be praised. Thus, ending with a call to praise Him.

This is the last Psalm of Book IV. And so, most fittingly it ended with a call to all people to say, "Amen!"

And in response, I also say, Amen! 🙏