The Last Psalms

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Psalms 136-150
The last of these songs of Israel are full of praise to God, although there were times when the singers were too sad to sing, as when, because of their sins, God let them be taken prisoners to Babylon. Their captors were cruel to them and also mocked them, asking them for a song; but they seem to have hidden their harps in the thick willow trees (Psalm 137).
There was another enemy who cried out for Jerusalem to be torn down. Those enemies had refused to honor God, so hated His people. That is why there is so much of punishment to the wicked in the Psalms. But when God sent His Son, Jesus to earth, He offered peace to all men, and Jesus said, “Love your enemies... do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you.” Matt, 5:44. The Scriptures show that the Son of God had full part in the plan and work of creation. That is why His life and death on earth were of value beyond our words to tell, and to refuse Him is to refuse God (John 1:1-141In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:1‑14)). And when evil on earth is at last punished, it is written. that Christ will be the Judge:
How sad that all will not give praise:
“Great is our Lord, and of great power;... The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy... He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth His ice like morsels: who can stand before His cold? He sendeth out His Word, and melteth them: He causeth His wind to blow, and the waters flow.” Psalm 147:5-185Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 6The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. 7Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: 8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. 10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 11The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. 12Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. 13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. 14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. 15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 16He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. 17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. (Psalm 147:5‑18).
“Fire, and hail; snow and vapor, stormy wind, fulfilling His word: Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars: beasts and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men. and maidens; old men and children: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is excellent, and His glory above all the earth.” Psa. 148:8-138Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. (Psalm 148:8‑13).
When the people of Israel at last confess Christ as Messiah there will be “a new song” of full praise, (Psa. 149:11Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. (Psalm 149:1):) the harp and other instruments will be used, even the movements of the singer will be in praise to God (Psalm 150).
Those who now confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour can give praise, pleasing to God, the Spirit is their “harp”. But if they too are captives in the ways of the world, their “harps” will he hidden and there will be little praise.
“Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor unto the Lord our God.” Rev.19:1.
ML 01/12/1941