The collection of writings known as the Book of Psalms is a remarkable inclusion in the Old Testament. While it chronicles the history of Israel, it is universal in its explanation of man’s response to the power and majesty of God.
Before we begin our journey into some of the amazing individual Psalms, it may help us to take a moment to stop and consider the book as a whole. At first glance, Psalms may appear to be a random collection of songs and poems written by many different people. Although the book contains a myriad of emotions and circumstances, it has order, and purpose within the order.
Like many of the books of the Old Testament, the Psalms tell a story. Unlike the other books, the songs take us deeper than the historical movements of the Israelites - into the heart, soul, and mind of the people on their journey. For example, in First and Second Samuel, we learn of David’s battles and conquests. But in the Psalms, we get a glimpse into David’s soul as he struggles with knowing God is real at a time when his world implodes around him.
The Psalms were written over the course of a thousand years and possibly compiled by Ezra in the 4th century BC. There are actually five separate books that create Psalms as we know it. Many scholars believe this division of five was intentional to mimic the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. Different themes are used within the five divisions - lament, praise, thanksgiving, royal and wisdom – each with a different purpose. In a lament psalm, the intent is to join hearts with those in pain and find joy with them as they come to understand God’s provision. In a wisdom psalm, we are pointed towards wise living as the reward that comes through obedience. But throughout each division and genre, we are reminded of the omniscience of God as we join in songs of praise and thanksgiving. The final Psalm, 150, serves as the doxology for the entire book.
Unlike the book of Psalms itself, our devotions have no specific order or timeline. They are individual responses to words which thrill our souls and spark questions in our minds. We pray that you will be encouraged to explore even deeper into this book of praise.
And so, we begin with Psalm 103.
Psalm 103
From beginning to end, Psalm 103 is a song of praise. But we live in a society where praise is easily acquired. Actions, achievements, products, people, places, things – all are evaluated in the superlative. We become hardened to the echo of praise, creating a scrim-like reality where the exceptional and the everyday seem to exist on common ground. And yet when we read this Psalm, our senses are heightened and we join in the attitude of worship.
It begins and ends the same – “Praise the Lord, O my soul.” This praise is not from intellectual realization, nor from emotional response, not from the mouth nor the heart but from the soul, where we find our spiritual identity. In our inmost being. We are called to a recognition of the holiness of God. The psalmist describes God – Healing, Redeeming, Providing, Just, Righteous, Compassionate, Forgiving. As we read the comparison of the wonder of God to the insignificance of man, we are confronted with the astounding truth that God loves us and His love is unmeasurable. “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love.” His removal of our sins – “as far as the east is from the west” reveals His compassion.
How can we comprehend such love? We flourish like flowers in the field, but, with time, are gone and no longer remembered. We are faced with the eternal love of God– a love not only for those who belong to Him, but to their children’s children. It is an inclusive, all-encompassing love. And we who were temporary are reborn everlasting as He is everlasting. He has stamped us with His Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance. (Ephesians 1:13)
Jesus helps us to better comprehend the love of God when He teaches His disciples to pray, beginning with ”Our Father.” Father was not a common term in the prayers of the Jews. And yet Jesus, who was God and Man, reminds us that God’s love is the love of a father for His children. Still, we must not allow familiarity to minimize our understanding. When Moses asked at the burning bush who God was, He replied, ”I AM.” – The One who is without beginning or end, Maker of heaven and earth. How great, then, is His love who “does not treat us as our sins deserve,” the psalmist continues. Our image of self is bathed in humility and thanksgiving. And we praise.
Our voices join the chorus of eternal exaltation - the angels and the heavenly hosts, His works everywhere in His dominion. We, who are most blessed, praise the Lord. We have recognized our spiritual identity. We are His, made in His image.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
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