LifePoint Lubbock

Day 148
Psalms 111-118

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:29 (NIV)

Psalms 111 and 112 are acrostic psalms with each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. These two psalms are a matched pair, with the first being about God and the second being about a godly man. Spurgeon compared the two psalms to the sun and the moon. Just as the sun shines and the moon reflects its light, so the glory of God is first declared and then reflected in the godly man.

Psalms 113-118 were connected to Passover celebrations. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115-118 were sung after. These psalms were likely sung by Jesus and His disciples at the Last Supper.

Psalm 114 details Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The Exodus is the central act of redemption under the Old Covenant. For Christians the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and his empty tomb represent the central act of redemption under the New Covenant.

Psalm 115 takes on greater meaning when one considers these words on the lips of Christ. “Not to us, O LORD, but to Your name give glory” should be our daily motto and mantra.

Psalm 116 takes on deeper meaning as we think of Jesus singing it. “O LORD, I implore you, deliver my soul!” The crisis was deep, the deliverance was great, and the praise was powerful.

Psalm 117 is the shortest song yet packed with praise. Gentiles are called to praise the LORD. As Jesus sung this on the eve of His crucifixion, He knew that through His work on the cross and His victory over the grave, God would call to Himself a people from every tongue and tribe.

Psalm 118 finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. Jesus quoted this psalm of Himself. Peter quoted it. Paul alluded to it. This psalm begins and ends with praise, recognizing the goodness of God.