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Archive for the 'Psalms' Category

Psalm 117: Praise Yahweh, All Nations!

Posted in Praise, Psalms, Sean's Articles on March 2nd, 2011 1 Comment »

Psalm 117:1-2
1 Praise the LORD, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!

2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,
And the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 117 is set among a collection of praise psalms known as the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118). Hallel is simply the Hebrew word for praise, and the Egyptian Hallel was the set of praise psalms typically sung during the Passover meal celebration every year (according to the Babylonian Talmud). In fact, Jesus and the disciples may well have sung them as part of their Passover celebration (Mark 14.26). Even so, rather than focusing on how Psalm 117 was and still is used for worship purposes, I would like to focus attention on its content and how it was later interpreted in the New Testament.

Read the rest...  (1545 words, estimated 6:11 mins reading time)

Psalm 106: Crying out to God When Hope Seems Lost

Posted in Psalms, Sean's Articles on January 26th, 2011 1 Comment »

Psalm 106.1-5
Praise the LORD!
Oh Give thanks to the LORD,
   for he is good,
   for his steadfast love [chesed] endures forever!
Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD,
   or declare all his praise?
Blessed are they who observe justice,
   who do righteousness at all times!
Remember me, O LORD,
   when you show favor to your people;
   help me when you save them,
   that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
   that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
   that I may glory with your inheritance.

Read the rest...  (2831 words, estimated 11:19 mins reading time)