28 Dec Meditations on the Psalms #89
Day 89
As the doxology of 41:13 concludes the first book we should remember that praise is spiritual inner health made audible. People spontaneously praise whatever they value and urge us to join them; ‘Isn’t she lovely,’ ‘look at that scene/sunset/painting / music etc.’ We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment. Do lovers not do this to each other? Psalms is a book of poetry with 150 chapters. The Hebrew title of this book means “songs of praise,” while the Greek title, Psalmoi, has come to mean “sacred songs sung to musical accompaniment.” The words of many beloved hymns and contemporary worship songs are taken directly from Psalms. Although David wrote seventy-three of the poems, other contributors include Moses, Solomon, Asaph, and the Sons of Korah. The entire collection is thought to have been compiled by Ezra.
The Psalms are divided into five “books,” to reflect the five books of the Torah. There are two beautiful aspects of this organizing structure: first, our position in relationship to the Lord that is predominant in each book, and second, the doxology (expression of praise) that concludes each book.
Book 1: Ps 1 – 41 God beside us – Genesis – Ps 41:13
Book 2: Ps 42 -72 God going before us – Exodus – 72:19
Book 3: Ps 73 – 89 God around us – Leviticus – Ps 89:52
Book 4: Ps 90 -106 God above us – Numbers – Ps 106:48
Book 5: Ps 107 – 150 God among us – Deuteronomy – Ps 150:1–6
God surrounds us with His unfailing Love.
So who or what controls the music of your life? What do you love and praise most? Do you approach each day from the perspective of a scripture or biblical song of worship on which you have meditated? God’s Word is sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold or silver (Psalm 19:10). Put some honey on your tongue today and sing a new song to the Lord!
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