April 1, 2012
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Psalm 135
Kicking off my sixth year of posting a poem-a-day in honor of National Poetry Month, I am pleased that this year April 1st falls on a Sunday and that I can use that as a reason to highlight the best poetry of all – God’s Word.
Four years ago our minister started preaching through the Book of Psalms, one per Sunday. With a few exceptions and maybe one hiatus, we are nearing the finish line.
Today (Palm Sunday) many preachers may have focused on Jesus’s ride on a donkey into Jerusalem, if the congregation follows the church calendar. According to the Gospels there were crowds who gathered to greet the Savior – to honor and praise Him.
Providentially Psalm 135 was our sermon’s text. No specific reference to this triumphal entry, but twenty-one verses of unadulterated adulation where 1)the saints are commanded to praise the LORD (v1-3), 2)the content of that praise is delineated (v4-18), and 3)a concluding call for more praise is issued to all God’s people (v19-21). Here’s the link to the audio version of the sermon.
Hopefully you will consider reading this psalm today. I’m typing out each and every word (not copying and pasting). For me it’s a mnemonic exercise.
Here’s the King James Version for two reasons:
1) the language is more lovely (pleasant vs3) than all other translations, and especially for memorization
2) the KJV recently celebrated it’s four hundredth anniversary (1611 – 2011)Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that he did in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD throughout all generations.
For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
They they make them are like unto them: so is everyone that trusteth in them.
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.The bulk of this poem (v4-18) centers around what God has accomplished for His people: exactly what should be the content of our praise.
We concluded the worship service by singing “Exalt the Lord, His praise proclaim,” a portion of psalm 135 (v1-7 & 21) set to a tune entitled Creation (arranged from Haydn, 1798), number 12 in the Blue Trinity Hymnal.Praise ye the LORD!!
