DEUTERONOMY SECTION, Psalms 107-150
Perfection and Praise of the Word of God
Before we can know Him, we must know the Word.
Sin came through the broken Word;
Israel scattered through the broekn Word;
Sanctuary destroyed through the broken Word.
Song of the wandering Jew when he re-enters the promised land (vv. 3-6). A psalm that has blessed the hearts of saints of all ages.
4 Stanzas
Israel's praise and possessions.
Messianic psalm -- the humiliation of Christ. The Judas Iscariot psalm (cp. Acts 1:20). Note the imprecatory prayer (vv. 6-13).
Messianic psalm -- the exaltation of Christ ( v. 1, cp. Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:34,35; Hebrews 1:13; 10:12,13; also v. 4, cp. Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:21).
Hallelujah for the works of God ( a perfect acrostic psalm -- Hebrew alphabet).
Hallelujah for the righteousness of God (v. 6). "Blessed with all earthly blessings" -- a perfect acrostic.
A hallelujah chorus to God as Creator and Redeemer. This psalm to the majesty of God opens the Hallel psalms which are sung at the Passover feast.
God leads His dear children along. Song of deliverance from Egypt and the origin of the nation.
Glory to God because He is the opposite of the idols of the heathen (vv. 3-8).
Love song because God swallows death in victory (vv. 3-15). Next to the 23rd, this psalm is the most beloved.
Hallelujah because all nations and peoples will praise God. (Shortest psalm.)
Messianic psalm (1 Peter 2:8; Matthew 21:42) --the hymn sung before Christ and His disciples went out into the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). Imagine our Lord singing this hymn on that fatal night ( vv. 6, 8, 14, 17, 22, 24, 26 ). This is the last of the Hallel psalms.
Psalm 119
Praise to the Word of God. Some reference to the Word of God is in every verse (except vv. 122,132), designated word, saying, way, testimonies, judgements, precepts, commandments, law, statutes, and faithfulness. The psalm is a perfect acrostic (see text), in 22 sections corresponding to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Jerusalem is buileded as a city that is compact together: whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD."
As the tribes of Israel go up to Jerusalem to worship at the appointed feast days -- Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles -- they sing these psalms. Notice the ascent. They were going to be going and growing spiritually in the same way.
Chanted as the pilgrim march to Jerusalem began.
Hills about Jerusalem come into view. The question (v. 1) should be translated, "Shall I lift up mine eyes unto the hills ...?" ( see Jeremiah 3:23; Psalm 90:2 ).
Jerusalem comes into view (v. 2)
The temple comes into view; they turn their eyes to God in hope.
They come in sight of the grace of God and offer a prayer of thanksgiving.
They come in sight of Mt. Zion. The pilgrims arrive in the security of Jerusalem. Assurance is the theme of their song.
A song for the return after the Babylonian captivity. They look to the future for a larger deliverance. They come in sight of the heathen.
The vanity of building without God. Obviously the pilgrims are in the gates of temple.
The family is come to Jerusalem to worship.
The pilgrim reviews his youth and the hand of God upon him.
The pilgrim cries out of the depths and thanks God for forgiveness. Israel will be redeemed.
Childlike faith and simplicity of the pilgrim (notice that David is the writer).
Messianic psalm (v. 11, cp. Luke 1:32,33; Acts 2:30). Also a Davidic psalm -- David is mentioned 4 times. It looks to the time when Christ will be King in Jerusalem.
The pilgrim thanks God for the fellowship of other bretheren who have come up to Jerusalem. David is the writer.
Pilgrim's progress. Pilgrim stands in the temple and lifts his voice in praise with the multitude. This is the last pilgrim psalm.
Hallelujah psalm. Israel praises God for the deliverance of the past. The name of Jehovah is praised (cp. v. 13 with Exodus 3:14).
Another hallelujah psalm. Praise of His mercy -- in creation, in redemption, in fighting enemies, and for the future glory.
By the canals of Babylon. Some captive wrote this during the Babylonian captivity as he thought of Jerusalem and the temple. It is the experience of the captives away from home and in slavery.
A song of wholehearted praise; a contrast to Psalm 137. Worship by the redeemed.
A song of praise to the attributes of God.
Prophetic prayer for deliverance from "the evil man" or "man of sin" (prophetic of the remnant in the midst of their enemies). Imprecatory: cry for justice according to the law.
David sends out an SOS. His prayer arises from some unknown experience. The application is to the remnant in the final struggle against evil.
Prayer of David in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1,2). Here is where David's sufferings begins. These are an adumbration of the sufferings of Christ, although some of David's suffering resulted from his own sin and cannot represent the sufferings of the spotless Savior.
Prayer of David to the faithfulness, righteousness, and lovingkindness of God. As it has been said, "David was in love with prayer."
David's praise to God because of who He is; his prayer is for the same reason.
Praise of David to God because of who He is and what He does. It looks forward to the praise of the redeemed and restored remnant in the kingdom. This is the last psalm of David.
"Praise ye the Lord" -- a praise to God for His goodness.
A hallelujah chorus because of God's goodness to the earth and to Jerusalem. He is Creator, Preserver and Keeper.
A halleujah chorus of all God's created intelligences in the heavens and in the earth (Revelation 5:11-13; 19:1-6).
A hallelujah chorus because the kingdom has come through redemption by blood and judgement by power.
Psalm 150
A hallelujah chorus with orchestra -- singing and playing with all the stops pulled out. Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth has come in the person of the King.
Stops pulled out on Creation's organ:
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Resource notes from J. V. McGee |
These notes, prepared by J. Vernon McGee, are for the purpose of giving assistance to the listeners of the THRU THE BIBLE RADIO program. They are to be used with the Bible and will be more meaningful as you look up all the Scripture references. Due to the necessary brevity of both notes and broadcasts, a list of recomended books is included for those wanting a more detailed study. These books may by obtained from a Christian library or bookstore or ordered from the publishers. |
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(Volume 1 covers Genesis through Song of Solomon with a fine summary of each paragraph.)