Bible in one year 9/23/ 2022 Book V Psalms 107-150; Psalm 114-115 By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible in one year 9/23/ 2022 Book V Psalms 107-150;  Psalm 114-115

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

 

 Psalm114 This  brief hymn commemorating God’s mighty deeds in the Exodus may be divided as follows: the rehearsal of the facts(vv.1-4), the interrogation of the (personified)waters and hills (vv.5-6), the exhortation to the earth to tremble before the Lord of such wonders(vv.7-8).

Psalm 114:1-8

When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, Jadah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, you mountains, that you skipped like rams, you hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.(vv.1-8).

Psalm115 The psalm consists of: a contrast (between the sovereign God and impotent idols,(vv.1-8), a call (to trust God, vv.9-11), a confidence (in God’s blessings, vv.12-16), and  a chorus (of praise,vv.17-18). Verses 4-8 see Isa.44:9-20 for another biting satire on idolatry. Verse 9 shield as a symbol of divine protection is as ancient as Abraham(Gen.15:1). Verse 17 Although it is true that O.T. believers were given very little revelation concerning life after death, passages like this should not be understood to teach cessation of existence nor an unconscious or inactive state after death. The point is that the dead have left the sphere of earthly activities, the highest of which is to praise the Lord.

Psalm 115:1-18

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “ Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. (vv.1-3).

But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. (vv.4-8).

O house of Israel, trust in the Lord he is their help and shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord- He is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the Lord –He is their help and shield. (vv.9-11).

The Lord remembers us and will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron, He will bless those who fear the Lord—small and great alike. May the Lord make you increase, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (vv.12-15).

The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.(v.16-18).

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.