Monday, October 10, 2011

Psalm 113

New International Version (NIV)

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, you his servants;
praise the name of the LORD.
2 Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.
4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the LORD our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
6 who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
8 he seats them with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD.

Key Verse:
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Key Observation:
A halleluiah psalm, the beginning of the Hallel psalms (113-118)

Memory Verse:
2 Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.


Devotion:
McGee notes that these psalms were sung at all the feasts of Israel. I think they will be sung again, perhaps by the world, but certainly by Israel during the millennium. Notice the magnificence of this psalm. From the rising of the sun to its setting will the Lord’s name be praised. How far is that? I think worldwide would be the only answer. He is exalted over all the nations (peoples). When did that happen? The answer is, I think, not yet. For these reasons I think it is evident the psalm is a celebration of the rule of the Lord: the millennium.

Notice his care for the poor. He raises them from the dust and sets them with princes. He solves the problem of the childless women, filling her life as the mother of children. When he does rule on the earth, we can expect a changed earth. Man will still be in need of redemption, will still be in sin—but the sin and evil so present in this world will be greatly gentled. Life spans of humans will greatly increase. Even so, Come Lord Jesus, Come Quickly.

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

1. Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee:
Israel's Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the saints Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

2. Born, Thy people to deliver;
Born a child, and yet a King!
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now Thy precious kingdom bring:
By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-suficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley

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