Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Strengthened by their miraculous victories over Sihon and Og, Joshua led the Israelites on a victo- rious campaign: “The following is list of the kings Joshua and the Israelite armies defeated on the west side of the Jordan…In all, thirty–one kings and their cities were destroyed.” (Josh. 12:7, 24) This psalm was designed to be a signpost of courage to every Israelite giving them strength to confront the hostile forces arrayed against their nation.

“Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.” (13, 14)

This psalm refers to four ‘names’ of God twenty-one different times (Yahweh 15x, Jah 4x, Adon 1x, Elohim 1x) making this a signature song of the God of Israel. 7 In the New Testament the name of Jesus becomes the focal point whereby God increases his fame and dispenses his compassion on his ser- vants. Peter boldly stated to the council of rulers and elders in Jerusalem after the miraculous healing of the lame man: “There is salvation in no one else! (Jesus) There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.” (Acts 4:12)

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THEIR IDOLS ARE GOLD - 15-18 Supreme Over Non-gods

“Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They cannot talk, though they have mouths, or see, though they have eyes! They cannot hear with their ears or smell with their noses. And those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” (15-18) This is a repeat of Psalm 115:4-8 although Psalm 135 omits; “They cannot… feel with their hands, or walk with their feet, or utter sounds with their throats!” (See comments on Psalm 115). After the re- turn from the exile to Babylon, the Jews never again indulged in the idolatry that led to their 70 years judgment. The early church was empowered by the truth of these psalms as they encountered the idolatrous nations with the good news of Christ. Paul confronted the idolatry of Ephesus and was opposed by Demetrius, one of the prominent silversmiths. He called together the artisans of the city who prospered by making statues; “As you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that hand- made gods aren’t gods at all. And this is happening not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! …I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis (Diana) will lose its influ- ence and the Artemis (Diana)–this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world-will be robbed of her prestige!” (Acts 19:26, 27) Demetrius’ real god was the silver and gold that he made through selling the statues. A riotous meeting was held in the city’s amphitheater where the entire town was shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians”. (Acts 19:34) The goddess was unable to see, hear, speak or walk around or defend herself. History recounts that Ephesus became one of the great centers of Christianity and even- tually abandoned the lifeless worship of Artemis in favor of serving the living savior, Jesus Christ! “O house of Israel, praise the lord; O house of Aaron, praise the Lord. O house of Levi, praise the Lord; you who fear him, praise the Lord. Praise be to the Lord from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.” (18-21) The word translated 5 times as ‘praise’ is the Hebrew word ‘barak’ that actually means to bless; ‘to praise with much affection, to bow the knee’. 8 The last ‘Praise the Lord’ is the classic ‘Hallelujah’ that characterizes many of the final psalms. This blessing takes place in the ‘courts of the house of our God.’ (2) This is how it would look in the Temple of worship during the Feasts of Israel: • “House of Aaron” – They alone had access to the Most Holy Place to bless the Lord where the Ark of the Covenant was placed. They also ministered at the sacrificial altar. • “House of Levi” _ They blessed the Lord at the altar of sacrifice and in the Holy Place where the candlestick, table and incense altar were. • “House of Israel” - They stood within the court of the ‘Israelite men’ to bless the Lord that was off limits to the Gentiles. V ALL THE GOD-FEARERS - 19-21 Bless the Lord

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