What I Noticed Today (Psalms 111-118)
Psalm 111
Similar to Psalm 112, in Psalm 111, the psalmist praises the Lord for his wondrous work of redemption.
In verses 1-3, the psalmist praises the Lord for His great and wondrous works.
In verses 4-9, the psalmist reviews specifics of God’s wondrous works: He is gracious and compassionate, He remembers His covenant, He is faithful, and His name is Holy and awesome.
In verse 10, the psalmist concludes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm 112
Psalm 112 describes some of the blessings received by someone who fears the Lord.
In verse 1, the psalmist says that he who fears the Lord and delights in His law is blessed.
In verses 2-9, the psalmist describes five blessings: physical and material prosperity because he is righteous, light is given even in darkness, goodness is received in return for being generous, his faith will be unshakable, and because he provides for the poor, he will be lifted up and honored by the Lord.
In verse 10, the psalmist describes the anxiety that will fill the wicked who are about to waste away.
Psalms 113-118
Psalms 113-118 are what is known as the Hallel, a collection of songs sung at major festivals and Holy days. For example, Psalms 113-114 are sung before the Passover meal, and Psalms 115-118 are sung afterward.
Psalm 113
Psalm 113 is a call to all believers to praise God.
In verses 1-3, the psalmist calls on servants of the Lord to praise His name.
Note: Praise the Lord in Hebrew is halelû-yāh (hallelujah).
In verses 4-9, the psalmist says servants of the Lord should praise Him because of His greatness and grace.
Psalm 114
Psalm 114 celebrates the Lord’s deliverance of the people in Exodus.
In verses 1-4, the psalmist relates the power of God when God brought them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and into Canaan.
In verses 7-8, the psalmist instructs the earth to tremble at the power of the Lord.
Psalm 115
Psalm 115 is a call for the Lord to demonstrate His sovereignty.
In verses 1-2, the psalmist speaks of the people’s unworthiness in contrast to the glory, love, and faithfulness of the Lord.
In verses 3-8, the psalmist declares the sovereignty of the Lord over idols.
In verses 9-11, the psalmist calls on the people of Israel to trust in the Lord, not in idols.
In verses 12-18, the psalmist calls on everyone to trust in the Lord because as the creator of the heaven and earth he will bless them
Psalm 116
Psalm 116 is a personal song of thanksgiving because the Lord delivered the psalmist from certain death.
In verses 1-2, the psalmist declares his love for the Lord because the Lord has heard him.
In verses 3-11, the psalmist describes how the Lord delivered him at the point of death. He describes three lessons from the experience: believers can rest because God can remove suffering, God delivers so they can live in obedience to Him, and God can be trusted in the midst of great affliction.
In verses 12-19, the psalmist says all he can do to repay the Lord is to lift Him up in praise so that others will also hear. The lives of the servants of the Lord are precious to Him.
Psalm 117
Psalm 117 is a short invitation to people everywhere to praise the Lord.
In verses 1-2, the psalmist calls on all nations to praise the Lord because the Lord loves and is faithful to His people.
Psalm 118
Psalm 118 is a praise song of the Lord’s faithful love for His people. It is prophetic in its description of the Messiah.
In verses 1-4, the psalmist calls on Israel and others who fear the Lord to acknowledge the steadfast love of the Lord.
In verses 5-21, the psalmist describes how the Lord rescued him from distress and was his refuge in the midst of his enemies. He praises the Lord for His strength, song, and salvation. The psalmist declares thanks for God’s righteousness and sings praises for delivering him.
In verses 22-29, the psalmist declares that the Lord had taken the stone that the builders had rejected and made it the capstone of the nation. He prayed for the Lord to save the people as they acknowledged the Lord’s steadfast love of His people.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
