Psalm 145 is an alphabetic psalm with many phrases borrowed from other psalms or books of the Bible. The main thought of this hymn concerns God’s sovereign majesty and loving providence. “Each generation must learn anew the efficacy of silence, the wisdom of turning inward, that your Light might be their guide to holiness, and your Love nurture them toward wholeness.” prays Nan Merrill in Praying The Psalms. In Psalm 146 the psalmist praises God’s kindness and generosity while exposing the folly of those who trust in merely human aid. Nan says in this psalm, “You lift up the faint-hearted, giving succor to those who weep. You watch over those on journey, sending guides and angels to lead the way; O, that we might become beacons of light to those in darkness.” Hence, although we do not trust in merely human aid, God works through us, humans, to help other humans. Psalm 147 addresses rugged individualism as displeasing to God who clothes the mountains with vegetation for the nourishment of man and beast. So does he feed the birds, especially the ravens, whose loud cawing is a cry to God for food. The psalmist sings a hymn of all creation to the Almighty Creator in Psalm 148. While inviting the people to praise the Lord with sacred music in the temple, the psalmist, in Psalm 149, calls them to stand with sward in hand for the defense of Zion. It reminds me of the old adage that when we pray we have to move our feet. We must be willing to take action. Psalm 150 serves as the closing doxology, not only to the Fifth Book of the Psalms, but to the whole Psalter. In the grand finale, the psalmist calls upon all the musical instruments of the temple service to join in the praise of the Lord. Thus concludes the Book of Psalms with a new found love of praying the psalms according to Nan Merrill.
Psalm 145 is an alphabetic psalm with many phrases borrowed from other psalms or books of the Bible. The main thought of this hymn concerns God’s sovereign majesty and loving providence. “Each generation must learn anew the efficacy of silence, the wisdom of turning inward, that your Light might be their guide to holiness, and your Love nurture them toward wholeness.” prays Nan Merrill in Praying The Psalms. In Psalm 146 the psalmist praises God’s kindness and generosity while exposing the folly of those who trust in merely human aid. Nan says in this psalm, “You lift up the faint-hearted, giving succor to those who weep. You watch over those on journey, sending guides and angels to lead the way; O, that we might become beacons of light to those in darkness.” Hence, although we do not trust in merely human aid, God works through us, humans, to help other humans. Psalm 147 addresses rugged individualism as displeasing to God who clothes the mountains with vegetation for the nourishment of man and beast. So does he feed the birds, especially the ravens, whose loud cawing is a cry to God for food. The psalmist sings a hymn of all creation to the Almighty Creator in Psalm 148. While inviting the people to praise the Lord with sacred music in the temple, the psalmist, in Psalm 149, calls them to stand with sward in hand for the defense of Zion. It reminds me of the old adage that when we pray we have to move our feet. We must be willing to take action. Psalm 150 serves as the closing doxology, not only to the Fifth Book of the Psalms, but to the whole Psalter. In the grand finale, the psalmist calls upon all the musical instruments of the temple service to join in the praise of the Lord. Thus concludes the Book of Psalms with a new found love of praying the psalms according to Nan Merrill.
ReplyDelete