Praise The LORD, O Give Thanks
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
Who can utter the mighty doings of the LORD,
or declare all his praise? ...
Both we and our ancestors have sinned,
we have committed iniquity, have done wickedly ...
Many times he delivered them
but they were rebellious in their purposes,
and were brought low through their iniquity.
Nevertheless he regarded their distress
when he heard their cry.
For their sake, he remembered his covenant
and showed compassion ... his steadfast love.
-- Psalm 106:2, 6, 43-45
Theme: A recital of Israel's sins and God's steadfast love
Outline
1-5 -- A call to praise and thank God for his steadfast love.
6-46 -- Time and again, Israel saw his goodness and saving power, yet failed to trust and obey him.
7-12 -- At the Red Sea (Exodus 14:11-12).
13-15 -- Craving meat at Rephidim (Exodus 17).
16-18 -- Jealousy toward Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:3-7).
19-23 -- Golden calf (Exodus 32).
24-27 -- Cowardly unbelief at the return of the spies (Numbers 13-14).
28-31 -- Joined in Moabite worship (Numbers 20:1-13).
32-33 -- Murmured at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20:1-13).
34-39 -- Sharing in Canaanite practices (Judges 2:1-5).
40-46 -- A summary of Israel's cyclic experience of punishment, pardon, restoration, and relapse (Judges).
47 -- Concluding prayer for restoration.
48 -- Liturgical doxology (end of Book Four).
Notes
• Praise -- History
• The last of three psalms of holy history (78; 105; 106).
• Appropriately begins with "Hallelujah," (meaning "Praise Yahweh" or "Praise the LORD"). The Greek spelling of the Hebrew word omitted the "h" at each end -- "Alleluia."
For Reflection
• What is the benefit of knowing the history of Israel or of the Christian church?
• How can ignorance of it be a danger to spiritual life?
Prayer
O Gracious God, you suffer long and patiently, putting up with us sinners and making all things serve your purpose to save a lost humanity. We praise you for this abounding grace and pray we may become ever faithful and true to you, yielding in all things to your blessed rule and reign, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or declare all his praise? ...
Both we and our ancestors have sinned,
we have committed iniquity, have done wickedly ...
Many times he delivered them
but they were rebellious in their purposes,
and were brought low through their iniquity.
Nevertheless he regarded their distress
when he heard their cry.
For their sake, he remembered his covenant
and showed compassion ... his steadfast love.
-- Psalm 106:2, 6, 43-45
Theme: A recital of Israel's sins and God's steadfast love
Outline
1-5 -- A call to praise and thank God for his steadfast love.
6-46 -- Time and again, Israel saw his goodness and saving power, yet failed to trust and obey him.
7-12 -- At the Red Sea (Exodus 14:11-12).
13-15 -- Craving meat at Rephidim (Exodus 17).
16-18 -- Jealousy toward Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:3-7).
19-23 -- Golden calf (Exodus 32).
24-27 -- Cowardly unbelief at the return of the spies (Numbers 13-14).
28-31 -- Joined in Moabite worship (Numbers 20:1-13).
32-33 -- Murmured at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20:1-13).
34-39 -- Sharing in Canaanite practices (Judges 2:1-5).
40-46 -- A summary of Israel's cyclic experience of punishment, pardon, restoration, and relapse (Judges).
47 -- Concluding prayer for restoration.
48 -- Liturgical doxology (end of Book Four).
Notes
• Praise -- History
• The last of three psalms of holy history (78; 105; 106).
• Appropriately begins with "Hallelujah," (meaning "Praise Yahweh" or "Praise the LORD"). The Greek spelling of the Hebrew word omitted the "h" at each end -- "Alleluia."
For Reflection
• What is the benefit of knowing the history of Israel or of the Christian church?
• How can ignorance of it be a danger to spiritual life?
Prayer
O Gracious God, you suffer long and patiently, putting up with us sinners and making all things serve your purpose to save a lost humanity. We praise you for this abounding grace and pray we may become ever faithful and true to you, yielding in all things to your blessed rule and reign, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
