Psalm 148

A praise psalm if there ever was one! "Praise" occurs 13x in the English Standard Version Bible; "all" occurs 9x. What are you waiting for?

Psalm 112:6-10

Arthur E. Cundall, Daily Devotional Bible Commentary, Psalms–Malachi, vol. 2, (1974), 98

In Psalm 112 the sentiments are, as might be expected, in the tradition of Proverbs, no mention being made of exceptions. Note the link made by v. 3b between the two psalms; since man's righteousness is derived from God, the same affirmation can be made of man's and God's. We should translate v. 4, 'To those who fear God he is like a light that shines in darkness; he is merciful, gracious and righteous' (Weiser); he shows the same type of attributes as does God. The RSV emendation is unfortunate, for we are dealing with the righteous man, not with God's actions. We must link v. 5 with v. 9 (cf. comments on Psa. 15:5). The righteous is always prepared to lend, but when he meets the genuinely poor he gives. This is what is meant by saying he 'conducts his affairs with justice' (5b) — his standard is not human law, but the moral demands of God.

Psalm 112 (part 1)

The last verse of Psalm 111 reads, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" The first verse of Psalm 112 picks up where the last psalm left off: "Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments!"

Psalm 111

This alphabetic acrostic psalm celebrates the LORD's works and His precepts (what we might recognize as His Word). The psalm ends with the important precept: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever."

Psalm 92:6-15

In part 1 (the week before) we considered the first strophe (movement, stanza). In this message we cover the remainder of the psalm, especially contrasting two kinds of "flourishing" -- one that ends in death and disappointment and one that bears eternal rewards.

Psalm 92 ( part 1 )

After some general observations we considered the psalm's first strophe (movement), verses 1-5. The LORD's thoughts (and works) are a beautiful tapestry of His steadfast love and faithfulness.

Nehemiah 12:43 > The High Point of Reformation! Nehemiah 12:44-47 & 13:1-3 > Two Appendices Nehemiah 13:4-31 > Coda (Failure)

Including two audio excerpts featuring Don Carson: "We earnestly seek reformation, but help us never to be so foolish as to imagine that by our reforms, by our organization, by our gifts, somehow we will bring in utopia. For this, merciful God, we await in eager anticipation the return of your dear Son, and we cry, 'Have mercy upon us. Come, Lord Jesus, come.' Amen."

* D. A. Carson, “Nehemiah: The Triumph and Failure of Reformation — Part 5,” in D. A. Carson Sermon Library (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016), Ne 11–13.

Nehemiah 12:1-43

Gregory Goswell (Academic Dean at Christ College in New Zealand) writes in A Study Commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah, (EP, 2013), 380. "There is little prospect of Nehemiah 11 becoming one of the Old Testament's most famous or best loved chapters. The modern reader does not find long lists of difficult Hebrew names very interesting. The chapter is not, however, without its value or purpose.. Coming as it does after chapters 8-10 that have described the reformation of the people and the revival of spiritual life among them, it makes the point that only now are the people in a fit state to inhabit the holy city [Jerusalem]."

In other words, the developing theme and theology contained in Ezra-Nehemiah is that in spite of all their recent hardships, Israel are still the LORD's chosen people. Further, the LORD's purposes of redemption, His rule and reign, are inseparably tied to Jerusalem ("the holy city") -- and these Israelites' actions believe that.