What I Noticed Today (Psalms 134, 146-150)
Psalm 134
In verses 1-3, the psalmist calls on the servants of the Lord to praise Him with hands lifted up, asking the Lord to bless them.
Psalm 146
Psalm 146 is a psalm of praise to Creator God who is faithful to the His people.
In verses 1-4, the psalmist vows to praise the Lord all his life and instructs the congregation to trust in the Lord, not in man.
In verses 5-6, the psalmist calls a blessing on those who place their trust and hope in the Lord because He is the Creator and remains faithful to His people.
In verses 7-10, the psalmist describes ways in which the Lord helps His people: He helps the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, releases prisoners, gives sight to the blind, raises up the defeated, loves the righteous, protects the traveler, and provides security for widows and orphans. The psalmist concludes saying the Lord reigns forever to all generations.
Psalm 147
Psalm 147 is a psalm praising God for His greatness and grace while calling on the congregation to also praise the Lord.
In verses 1-6, the psalmist says it is good, pleasant, and fitting to praise the Lord because the Lord built up Jerusalem and restored those who turned to Him.
In verses 7-11, the psalmist calls on the congregation to praise the Lord in music because of His creation. God delights not in the mighty but in those who trust Him.
In verses 12-20, the psalmist calls on Jerusalem to praise the Lord who gave them peace. The Lord commands the earth. By His word, he controls the snow, frost, hail, ice, and breezes. It is God’s statutes that rule over Israel.
Psalm 148
Psalm 148 is a psalm of praise calling on all of heaven to praise the Lord.
In verses 1-6, the psalmist sings praise to the Lord and calls on all of heaven to join in singing praises to the Lord.
In verses 7-14, the psalmist calls on all the earth and all the creatures of the earth to sing praises to the Lord for He is to be exalted.
Psalm 149
Psalm 149 is a psalm of praise in which the psalmist calls on the nation of Israel to sing praises to the Lord.
In verses 1-3, the psalmist praises the Lord. He calls on Israel to praise the Lord in a new song and to rejoice in their maker and king with dancing and musical instruments.
In verses 4-5, the psalmist says the people should praise the Lord because He gave them salvation.
In verses 6-9, the psalmist called on Israel to praise the Lord as they take a sword in their hands to execute vengeance on the enemies of the Lord.
Psalm 150
Psalm 150 is a psalm of praise to be made in the sanctuary with musical instruments.
In verses 1-2, the psalmist calls for praise to be given in the sanctuary in recognition of what He has done because this is the dwelling place of God.
In verses 3-5, the psalmist asks for the praise to be given using trumpets, harps, lyres, tambourines, stringed instruments, flutes, and cymbals, as well as with dancing.
