Psalms of Hallelujahs!
The emphasis of our next psalm is on praising the Lord because of who He is and what He has done for His people. This psalm is an inspired statement of faith and believers today should shout hearty hallelujahs of affirmation! This psalm is a collection of other pieces of scripture put together for a litany of praise to God for all He has done, is doing and will do. I wonder…what could be written as our own litany of praise for what God has done, is doing and will do on our journey? Mm, worth meditating and writing…Hallelujah! We’re thinking of it already!
Psalm 135, The Message
1-4 Hallelujah!
Praise the name of God,
praise the works of God.
All you priests on duty in God’s temple,
serving in the sacred halls of our God,
Shout “Hallelujah!” because God’s so good,
sing anthems to his beautiful name.
And why? Because God chose Jacob,
embraced Israel as a prize possession.
5-12 I, too, give witness to the greatness of God,
our Lord, high above all other gods.
He does just as he pleases—
however, wherever, whenever.
He makes the weather—clouds and thunder,
lightning and rain, wind pouring out of the north.
He struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
both human and animal firstborn.
He made Egypt sit up and take notice,
confronted Pharaoh and his servants with miracles.
Yes, he struck down great nations,
he slew mighty kings—
Sihon king of the Amorites, also Og of Bashan—
every last one of the Canaanite kings!
Then he turned their land over to Israel,
a gift of good land to his people.
13-18 God, your name is eternal,
God, you’ll never be out-of-date.
God stands up for his people,
God holds the hands of his people.
The gods of the godless nations are mere trinkets,
made for quick sale in the markets:
Chiseled mouths that can’t talk,
painted eyes that can’t see,
Carved ears that can’t hear—
dead wood! cold metal!
Those who make and trust them
become like them.
19-21 Family of Israel, bless God!
Family of Aaron, bless God!
Family of Levi, bless God!
You who fear God, bless God!
Oh, blessed be God of Zion,
First Citizen of Jerusalem!
Hallelujah!
What do we learn?
–The Lord Is Our God–He Chose Us (vv. 1-4). He is always with us
–The Lord Is Sovereign–He Does What He Pleases (vv. 5-12).
–The Lord Is Compassionate–He Vindicates His People (vv. 13-14).
–The Lord Is the True and Living God–He Cares for Us (vv. 15-18).
–The Lord Be Praised–He Is with Us (vv. 19-21).
Something else to think about…
What does God’s care of Israel during her wilderness wanderings teach us about His power? What does this teach us about His ability to take care of us? Ah, another reason for a hearty Hallelujah!
The Psalmist begins and ends with Hallelujah! Will our litany of praise begin and end this way? I pray it does!
In Jesus Name, Amen! I believe. Hallelujah!
