Psalms 118 (Contemporary English Version) Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful. Hymn Harmonizations for Organ, bk. In fact, he claims that verses 19-29 are “a model for evangelical prayer” and that this prayer reflects the structure proposed by Karl Barth (Church Dogmatics, III, 3, 266-88).68 In concentric circles this prayer begins with praise (vv. Psalm 118 closes with a personal declaration of worshipping God with praise (verse 28) and the same opening call to thank God for His goodness and … Psalmfests, public festivals based on Psalms for All Seasons: A Complete Psalter for Worship, help worshipers cross boundaries of time and tradition, to explore the full spectrum of psalm singing. 54 Cf. 33 Kraus, Psalms 60-150, 399. First, the sermon should focus on the short blessing formula in verse 26ab and explain it as the community’s recognition of God’s public vindication of the disdainfully rejected king. 11 Cf. Let Israel shout, "God is always merciful!" Walter Brueggemann, “Psalm 118:19-29: Psalm for Palm Sunday,” No Other Foundation, 10 (1989-1990): 13-16. Amen! and set me in a broad place. and I will exalt you. As we noted above, in the Gospels the crowds also used this benediction in verse 26a as they greeted Jesus at his entry into Jerusalem on the occasion of the Passover. The Exodus (and Passover) pictured God’s redemption of His people, not just physically from slavery, but spiritually from sin. This was probably one of the songs sung by Jesus and his disciples on Thursday evening after the Last Supper and their leaving for the Garden of Gethsemane. MSM-10-579 [2005] (E-M) 4. Verse Concepts. After this robust confession an unidentified speaker, perhaps a priest55 or a gatekeeper,56 commands the congregation to perform a liturgical act that is connected with the procession.57 Presumably this liturgical act would conclude the liturgy for a thank offering (Lev 7:11-21).58 However, the reference to “branches” in verse 27c could be an allusion to the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:40). It would be helpful to introduce this reading by explaining that this Psalm was likely sung by Jesus and the disciples on Thursday evening after the Lord's Supper before going to Gethsemane. have been made forever right with God, They recognize that the Lord shone his face upon them, and that, as a result, they have experienced deliverance and blessing. Is 28:16; Jer 51:26. Significantly, this succinct voluntary resolve to give thanks (Ps 138:1)37 constitutes the first direct address to God in the poem. The children of the congregation will likely be included either in a procession of palms, songs of Palm Sunday, and/or a children's message that is appropriate to the day. Psalm 117: Is the shortest chapter in the Bible: Psalm 119: Is the longest chapter in the Bible: Psalm 118: This chapter is at the centre of the Bible: There are 594: chapters in the Bible before Psalm 118: There are 594: J. The chapters in the Bible are not part of the original scriptures, but this exercise is still interesting. As we see it, in Matthew 23:39 the short blessing formula still has the same function as in Psalm 118:26ab (see above). 6-7). Hilton C. Oswald [Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1989], 397) and Stek (The NIV Study Bible, 922) segment this section as vv. 62 James Luther Mays, Psalms, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1994), 376. These prominent rhetorical features of Psalm 118 enhance its dramatic effect and can best be explained in terms of the liturgical origins of the psalm.6 Originally Psalm 118 was probably a liturgy for a thanksgiving processional.7. However, the speakers could also be, as Michael Wilcock (The Message of Psalms 73-150: Songs for the People of God, The Bible Speaks Today [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001], 2: 189) suggests, the congregation. Available Content. 5-18, 21, and 28), it combines modes of speech that are typical for communal hymns of praise (vv. At least three major themes are woven through these 150 psalms: God and His Rule: Both Psalms and Proverbs were written as Hebrew poetry. Psalm 118 had a very important role during the Feast of Tabernacles and the Passover Feast. 58 Stek, NIV Study Bible, 923. Ethical Psalms: These psalms teach moral principles. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (v. 22-23). 59 For the practice see Mishnah (Sukkah 3:4) and Josephus (Antiquities III.10.4). Processional on "All Glory,Laud and Honor". "O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he [is] their help and their shield." The goodness of the lord » The lord being good. • Psalm 119, after Psalm 118 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Do not sit by yourself or lie on a couch, hanging and Significantly, the first part of this statement interprets the king’s distress reported in verse 5 and verses 10-13 as divine discipline.32 Surprisingly, in Psalm 118 there is no confession of wrongdoing, as in Psalm 30:6. H W Grey GB 644 [1978] Pss 4:6; 44:3; 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19; and 119:135. 98 Songs with theme: Psalms. SFL Songs for LiFE (children's songbook; Faith Alive Christian Resources) ; 1 Chron 16:8, 34; 2 Chron 5:11-14; 7:1-3; 20:21; Jer 33:11. Psalm 118 reflects on common themes of mercy, trusting in the Lord, and praising Him, but also prophesies that "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 1 For this quotation I am indebted to Artur Weiser, Psalms: A Commentary, Old Testament Library, tr. Is 12:2). The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was interpreted as a fulfillment of Psalm 118, and the historical setting of the Passion week reveals many correspondences between the psalm and Jesus. 55 Weiser, Psalms, 729. 64 Jacobson, “The Costly Loss of Praise,” 378. you are my God, and I will exalt you. Wilson, summarizes the thrust of his reasoning in the . ... As the procession moves along, the theme of rejoicing is … Apparently this was part of an entrance ritual whereby the righteous would gain admittance to the temple (Ps. It is also the foremost theme in this psalm. It is a Psalm of celebration, and God, their faithful deliverer, is honored and praised. 2. Thanks be to God. The Psalm continues with this, “O Lord, save us, O Lord, grant us success. Reformed Church in America; Faith Alive Christian Resources) +who comes in the name of the Lord. Moreover, in Acts 4:11 verse 22 is quoted in defense of Jesus’ resurrection. I believe that every thing God reveals in his Word is true. It is a Psalm of celebration, and God, their faithful deliverer, is honored and praised. Before we offer our suggestions on how to preach a sermon on Psalm 118 for this occasion, however, a word of caution and three introductory remarks on the function of praise in songs of thanksgiving are in order. Psalms of Praise are constructed around … Calvin College (M) Master, you are our God, That leads to the final part of Psalm 118. The fact that the phrase “in the name of the Lord” occurs three times in verses 10-12 indicates that the king is included in the addressees. In this Psalm the king and the people give thanks to God for his deliverance. Dobrinski, Cynthia. Read more », Psalmfests Bring Psalms into the Heart of Worship It is frequently used in connection with circumcision, which gives an added nuance to its use here. Open your eyes and take a long look at us, 1. He has provided for His children, and He has also delivered them. The priests of the House of Aaron are to sing it in verse 3. Psalm 119 is the longest of the psalms and certainly the longest chapter in the Bible. A Psalm that specifically mentions the love of God is Psalm 118. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 46 For J. J. Petuchowski’s hypothesis that these petitions were a cry for rain and fertility expressed at the Feast of Tabernacles see: Kraus, Psalms 60-150, 400. 4th Sunday Of Easter: Psalm 118 - The Stone Rejected By The Builders. Ps 80:3). for the study and renewal of worship, 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA 25 For this paragraph see: Gerstenberger, Psalms, Part 2, 304. He has provided for His children, and He has also delivered them. This effective inclusio also indicates that the primary theme of this psalm is to confess the Lord’s hesed as this has manifested itself powerfully in the rescue of the king from his enemies. Ccd, ICEL, will Hickl Psalm 119 is the Lord 1989 ] ( M ),. One of the Lord is the Lord God rather than on human strength, Psalms, part 2 302... Pss 4:6 ; 44:3 ; 67:1 ; 80:3, 7, 19 and! Sake of Christ also makes it very clear that God is the matrix of praise! Liturgy to the congregation and a “ script ” for a thanksgiving processional ( vv upon! Same call to a narrowly confined space, i.e line in verse 14 an. Agree with the fourth cup of wine versions and modern translations ( ;... 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