The Five Hallelujah Psalms(146-150)(part 1)

by R.A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, UK | Category: The Five Hallelujah Psalms(146-150)(part 1) | Mar 1987

There are fifteen Psalms which can be termed "Hallelujah Psalms". Three of these, 104, 105 and 106 are in Book IV and the remainder are in Book V. Only eight, however, begin and end with "Praise ye the LORD". These are 106, 113 and 135 together with the five at the close of Book V which also end the Book of Psalms. An analysis of these five Psalms will reveal progressive teaching regarding the praise of Jehovah.

Psalm 146

The theme of Psalm 146 is a personal God (Elohim) who is the Lord (Jehovah). The author is taken up with the object of his personal praise. "I live I praise ... I will sing" are expressions of personal exercise concerning the One who is my Creator (Elohim) and my Redeemer (Jehovah). In this Psalm we have one of the Jehovah titles "The LORD thy God" which was introduced to Israel at Sinai and embodied in the terms of the ten commandments (Ex. 20:2,5,7,10,12). It was the reality and preciousness of this title which gripped Ruth the Moabitess when Naomi said to her, "return thou after thy sister in law" (Ruth 1:15). Her ardent response was "thy people shall be my people, and thy God (Elohim) my God (Elohim, 1:16). Our Lord too, in the days of His flesh, knew not only the love of His Father but also the intimacy of My God (El). In those three hours of darkness upon the cross it was being forsaken by My God (El) which filled Him with anguish (Ps. 22:1). From the outset it is the intent of the Psalmist that Jehovah shall have the praise of his soul.

The Psalmist contrasts his personal God with princes whose prowess is based upon riches and with men in general whose confidence lies in their own strength (v.3). There is no help for the godly man from such sources, "It is better to trust in the LORD" (Ps. 118:6-9). How right are the words of the hymn:

Trust not in man,

The arm of flesh will fail;

Trust not in man,

His strength cannot avail;

Trust not in man,

Thou great may be his boast;

Trust not in man who trusts in him is lost.

Happy is the man who has the God (El, singular) of Jacob (usurper) for his help and for his hope (v.5). Here is dual encouragement for the Christian today, help and hope. Here also are six pillars of strength for the Christian's daily walk. It is the Lord thy God who:

1.looseth (gives liberty) by exercising His royal prerogative;

2.openeth (gives sight) In answer to

faith;

3.raiseth (gives strength) in answer to prayer;

4.loveth. (gives affection) because of what we are in Christ;

5.preserveth (gives protection) for believers who are strangers in this world;

6.upholdeth (gives sustenance) to those who have lost their means of daily support.

Such thoughts are summed up in the words of the hymn:

The Lord thy God is with thee,

where'er thy pathway lie,

In summer's shining hours,

Or 'neath dull winter's sky.

In all thy joys and blessings

His hand had its full share;

Whilst oft-times in thy sorrow,

His purposes lie there.

This same wondrous Person, "The LORD... thy God...", who is so worthy of my praise, will reign for ever, unto all generations (v.10).

Psalm 147

The opening verse of Psalm 147 focuses our thoughts upon the theme of another Jehovah title "The LORD our God" ~s. 99:5). Here we are directed to the God who has a people for Himself and a place on earth for His Name. The Creator (Elohim) who "telleth the number of the stars" and "giveth them all their names" and the Redeemer (Jehovah) who "healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds (sorrows)" is the recipient of the collective praise of His people. To sing and to praise our God is good and pleasant and comely. Jerusalem, which the Lord has chosen among Israel as the physical place on earth for His Name, is built by Him (v.2). That is, as any other city, in the course of time

it was built by men but it was Jehovah who built it up to be the city of God. He gathereth, healeth, bindeth as He did in the days of Nehemiah and the wall was built (Neh. 12:2743). There was the festival of dedication in the

winter (John 10:22) for which the Psalm, it is suggested, was written. How much more, in these days of recovery of the truth, in the spiritual place of the Name, should the gathered people of God who are built up a spiritual house (I Pet. 2:5) sing unto Jehovah with thanksgiving and sing praises unto our Elohim. What pleasure we are able to give to the Lord when collectively we fear Him and hope in His mercy (v.11). The centre and focuses on earth, from which His praise ascends, is the place of the Name. It was so in Israel's halcyon days (1 Kin. 4:34; 2 Chron. 9:3-4,23) when Jerusalem and Mount Zion was the city of the living God, who is the God of the house of God. Nations should flow into it and the Word of God flow out of it (Isa. 2:2-3). From verse 20 we see the unique nature of the people of God in relation to the nations of the earth.

R.A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, UK | Mar 1987
The Five Hallelujah Psalms(146-150)(part 1)