Psalms 133 - 134 (Songs #14 & #15) + 6 Topics

HOMEPAGE O.T. (PSALMS) Psalm Topics Psalms 1 - 6 Psalms 7 - 11 Psalms 12 - 18 Psalms 19 - 24 Psalms 25 - 27 Psalms 28 - 35 Psalms 36 - 41 Psalms 42 - 50 Psalms 51 - 59 Psalms 60 - 68 Psalms 69 - 72 Psalms 73 - 77 Psalms 78 - 79 Psalms 80 - 83 Psalms 84 - 85 Psalms 86 - 88 Psalms 89 - 90 Psalms 91 - 92 Psalms 93 - 94 Psalm 95 Psalms 96 - 98 Psa 99 - 102 Psa 103 - 104 Psa 105 - 106 Psa 107 - 109 Psa 110 - 113 Psa 114 - 116 Psa 117 - 118 Psalm 119A Psalm 119B Psa 120 - 126 Psa 127 - 132 Psa 133 - 134 Psa 135 - 136 Psa 137 - 138 Psa 139 - 140 Psa 141 - 144 Psa 145 - 150 QuotesFromOT 1 QuotesFromOT 2 N.T. (GOSPELS) Feasts/Loc's Late Life John BeforeMinistry Ministry Itin'ry Ministry Chro1 Ministry Chro2 Ministry Chro3 Ministry Chro4 MinChroAltern Min'tryBegins Cana/Nazareth Capernaum1 Capernaum2 SeaOfGal 1 Parable1 Parable2 Parable3 Sermon1 Sermon2 Sermon3 Sermon4 Sermon5 SeaOfGal 2 PerMtMkLk1 PerMtMkLk2 PerMtMkLk3 PerMtMkLk4 *PerMtMkLk5 *PerMtMkLk6 *PerMtMkLk7 *PerMtMkLk8 *PerMtMkLk9 *PerMtMkLk10 *PerMtMkLk11 *PerMtMkLk12 *PerMtMkLk13 *PerMtMkLk14 *PerMtMkLk15 *PerMtMkLk16 *PerMtMkLk17 *PerMtMkLk18 *PerMtMkLk19 *PerMtMkLk20 *PerMtMkLk21 *PerMtMkLk22 *PerMtMkLk23 *PerMtMkLk24 *PerMtMkLk25 *PerMtMkLk26 *PerMtMkLk27 *PerMtMkLk28 *PerJohn1 *PerJohn2 *PerJohn3 *PerJohn4 *PerJohn5 *PerJohn6 *PerJohn7 *PerJohn8 *PerJohn9 N.T. (REST) *Acts 1 & 2 *Acts 3 & 4 *Acts 5 & 6 *Acts 7 *Acts 8 & 9 *Acts 10 & 11 *Acts 12 & 13 *Acts 14 & 15 *Acts 16 & 17 *Acts 18 & 19 *Acts 20 & 21 *Acts 22 & 23 *Acts 24 - 26 *Acts 27 & 28 *Roma 1 - 3 *Roma 4 - 6 *Roma 7 - 9 *Roma 10 - 13 *Roma 14 - 16 *1stCor 1 - 4 *1stCor 5 - 8 *1stCor 9 - 11 *1stCor 12 - 14 *1stCor 15 & 16 *2ndCor 1 - 4 *2ndCor 5 - 8 *2ndCor 9 - 11 *2ndCor 12 - 13 *Gala 1 - 3 *Gala 4 - 6 *Ephe 1 - 3 *Ephe 4 - 6 *Phlp 1 - 4 *Colo 1 - 4 *1stThe 1 - 5 *2ndThe 1 - 3 *1stTim 1 - 6 *2ndTim 1 - 4 *Titu 1 - 3 *Phlm *Hebr 1 - 3 *Hebr 4 - 7 *Hebr 8 - 10 *Hebr 11 - 13 *Jame 1 - 5 *1stPet 1 - 3 *1stPet 4 & 5 *2ndPet 1 - 3 *1stJoh 1 - 5 *2ndJoh *3rdJoh *Jude *Reve 1 - 3 *Reve 4 - 8 *Reve 9 - 13 *Reve 14 - 17 *Reve 18 - 20 *Reve 21 & 22 ++ Greek (Intro.) *VI (Ephe) *XI (1stTim) *XII (2ndTim) *XIII (Titu) *XIV (Phlm) *XV (Hebr) *XVI (Jame) *XVII (1stPet) *XVIII (2ndPet) *PART I, A-C *PART I, D *PART I, E *PART I, F *PART II O.T. (PART I) *FrontCover *BackCover *Preface *PerspectivesA *PerspectivesB *PerspectivesC *CommentsOLD *CommentsNEW LinksScripture Links1ChuMin Links2ChuMin LinksMusCam Links1Green Links2Green LinksJewish LinksOther

Psalm 133- Song #14 of the Songs of Ascents (also known as the Pilgrim Songs, the Songs of Degrees, etc.-- see PerspectivesB B.3. about the Songs of Ascents in gen'l.). Said to deal with competition & provide fellowship with God. The theme of this 14th of 15 steps is 'Precious Memories':

How good & pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of His robes. Anointing-with-oil was a common practice since ancient times; the subject was addressed in PART II F.- J. S.a. below, 1. Reference #3 Anointings & 3. Woman #6 used-of-God Alabaster woman #2 (identity?). It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows HIS Blessing, even life forevermore.

1. Reference #3 Anointings Eventually mostly heads were anointed [though there were 2 cases when Jesus' feet were anointed (1 we saw in Psalms 99 - 102 Psalm 101 1. Woman #3 used-of-God Alabaster woman #1 (identity?), the other we shall see in Psalm 135 - 136 Psalm 135 3. Woman #7 used-of-God Alabaster woman #3 (Mary)]; the 1st accounts though were of inanimate objects set aside for usage for God's purposes. However, note that the very 1st account, though of an object, had very much to do with the head. In Gen 28:10-13,18-19; 31:13 we find that Jacob left his last locale (Beersheba) in the promised land to journey to the area of the headwaters of the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers (the city of Haran-- the stopover place of Terah, Abram, Sarai, & Lot far northwest of their birthplaces in/near Ur of the Chaldeans): When He reached a certain place-- later identified as the city that used to be called Luz, He stopped for the night. Taking 1 of the stones there, He put it under His head (used it as a pillow) & lay down to sleep. He had a dream. Early the next morning Jacob took the stone He had placed under His head & set it up as a pillar & poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel (House of GOD), though the city used to be called Luz. Later, after acquiring 4 wives & 11 sons (see PART I, D D.2.c.iii.-- Benjamin was born in Canaan, soon after which Rachel died (see Gen 35:16-18): I am the GOD of Bethel, where You anointed a pillar & where You made a vow to ME. Now leave this place at once & go back to Your native land. In Exo 25:6 it is mentioned that spices were to be added to the anointing oil; in Exo 28:41; 29:7,21,29 Moses was instructed to anoint Aaron & His sons, anoint & ordain Them. Consecrate Them so They may serve ME as priests. Take the anointing oil & anoint Him; some of the anointing oil & sprinkle it on Aaron & His garments & on His sons & Their garments. Aaron's sacred garments will belong to His (be passed down to all later) descendants so that They can be anointed & ordained in them. After this, in Exo 29:36, et al., we have the alter, the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, etc., being anointed; beginning in 1stKi 15:1; 19:16 many Israelite kings & prophets were anointed.

2. Transition #5 Ministering to the poor There have been several transitions covered (not abolishments). E.g., PSALM 36 - 41 Psalm 38 1. Transition #1 Love-boundary was about the love-transition, from the early O.T. loving neighbors (countrymen) & "hating" enemies, to the N.T. loving enemies. Here we have how that in the O.T. poor countrymen were to be dealt with directly & delicately, & not aliens at all; whereas in the N.T. fellow Christians are to be dealt with directly & delicately-- but also nonChristians, who are best ministered to through the Body of Christ. 1st lets look at the O.T. in general (in particular, Lev 25:8-40, where we have Moses quoting God: 'Count off 7 sabbaths of years-- 7 x 7 yrs. --so that the 7 sabbaths of yrs. amount to a period of 49 yrs. Consecrate the 50th yr. & proclaim liberty throughout the land. It shall be a jubilee for You. In this year of jubilee everyone is to return to His own land property. Meantime: If You sell land to 1 of Your countrymen or buy any from Him, do not take advantage of each other. You are to buy on the basis of the # of yrs. since the jubilee. And He is to sell on the basis of the # of yrs. left for harvesting until the jubilee-- because what He is really selling You is the # of crops. The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is MINE.' Now specifically about the poor: 'If 1 of Your countrymen becomes poor & sells some of His property, His nearest relative is to come & redeem what His countryman has sold. If he has no relative, & does not acquire the means to repay Him, what He has sold will remain in the possession of the buyer until the year of jubilee, & He can then go back to His property. Also: If any of Your countrymen becomes poor & is unable to support himself, help Him as You would an alien visitor or a temporary resident. You must not lend Him money at interest or even sell Him food at profit. And: If any of Your countrymen becomes poor & sells himself to You, do not make Him work as a slave. He is to be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident; He is to work for You only until the year of jubilee.' Now there certainly are other examples (e.g., see Deu 15:1-11)-- point is, this is how poor fellow-Israelites were to be treated. Now abundantly it is made clear how we are to treat fellow-Christians (e.g., 1stJoh 3:16 says We ought to lay down Our lives for Our brothers), but take a look at what Jesus said how best to minister to the poor nonChristian.

3. Woman #6 used-of-God Alabaster woman #2 (identity?) Per Matt & Mark Matt 26:2,6-13 says, the Passover is 2 days away; While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which She poured on His head as He was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this They were indignant. Why this waste? They asked. This perfume could have been sold at a high price & the money given to the poor. Aware of this golden opportunity, Jesus said to Them, Why are You bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful, significant thing to Me. The poor You will always have with You, but You will not always have Me. When She poured this perfume on My body, She did it to prepare Me for burial-- after which you can minister to the poor through my body. I tell You the truth, whenever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what She has done will also be told, in memory of Her. Mark 14:1,3-9 says, the Passover & Feast were only 2 days away; While He was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar & poured the perfume on His head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to 1 another, 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages & the money given to the poor.' And they rebuked Her harshly. Leave Her alone, said Jesus. Why are you bothering Her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me. The poor you will have with you always, & you can help them at any time you want. But you will not always have Me. She did what She could. She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what She has done will also be told, in memory of Her.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Psalm 134- Song #15 of the Songs of Ascents (also known as the Pilgrim Songs, the Songs of Degrees, etc.-- see PerspectivesB B.3. about the Songs of Ascents in gen'l.). Author anonymous-- some suggest Hezekiah. The theme of this 15th (& final) step is In conclusion...:

Praise the LORD, all You servants of the LORD who minister by night (while others are abundantly out-&-about, & then sleeping-it-off) in the House of the LORD. 1stCh 9:33 says that when the exiles returned from Babylon, Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple & were excempt from other duties because They were responsible for the work day & night. Lift up Your hands in the sanctuary & remain connected-- praise the LORD. May the LORD, the maker of Heaven & earth, bless You from Zion, the connecting point-- remember what Paul said upon the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I want men/women everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer (speaking to/praising the Lord), without anger or disputing-- remembering who you're speaking with.

1. An angel spoke of the birth of John the Baptist Luke 1:1-25 These 1st 4 verses are about Luke's motive for writing: Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among Us. Just as they (the accounts) were handed down to Us by Those who from the 1st were eyewitnesses & servants of the Word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to Me to write an orderly account for You, most excellent Theopolis, so that You may know the certainty of the things You have been taught. Now we have about the birth of John the Baptist (who 1st prepared the way for Jesus by ministering to & baptizing Jews-- including Jesus himself). The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah-- same angel that appeared to Mary to announce about Jesus (per vv. 19,26): In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; His wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. I.e., John & Elizabeth were some sort of distant relatives-- very distant relatives. Aaron was only the great grandson of Levi (see Exo 6:16-20), whereas Joseph [the "father" of Jesus] was the 34th great grandson of Judah (see Matt 1:3-16)-- Levi & Judah were brothers (see Gen 29:31-35). BTW, we just saw that John & Elizabeth were relatives, that John & Joseph were cousins-- what about Mary? Luke 1:36 says that Mary & Elizabeth were relatives. Both of Them were upright in the sight of the GOD (spiritually), observing all the LORD'S Commandments & Regulations blamelessly. But They had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; & They were both well along in years. 1x when Zechariah's division was on duty & He was serving as priest before GOD, He was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the Temple of the LORD & burn incense. And when the time for the burning of the incense came, all the assembled worshipers were gathered outside. Then an Angel of the LORD appeared to Him standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw Him, He was startled & gripped with fear-- Mary also was greatly troubled when the angel appeared (also not in a dream-- but in Zechariah's case, it was in answer to prayer) to her, & the angel also instructed her, Do not be afraid. But the angel said to Him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear You a son-- note that the angel appeared to John, who like Elizabeth was well along in years, whereas Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary, the receiver of the Holy Spirit, & You are to give Him the name John. He will be a joy & delight to You, & many will rejoice because of His birth-- see v. 58, for [because] He will be great in the Sight of the LORD (Lord's opinion). He is never to take wine or other fermented drink-- upright in heart & also physically, & He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth (when still in his mother's womb-- recall he kicked when Mary visited?). Many of the people of Israel will He bring back to the LORD Their GOD. And He will go on before the LORD, in spirit & power of Elijah-- in Matt 11:14 we have Jesus declaring that John is the Elijah that was to come to delay before that great & dreadful day (Mal 4:5), to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children & the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-- to make ready a people prepared for the LORD. Now after all that, & considering that he had prayed concerning his & Elizabeth's lack of children, & seeing that he was a priest, Zechariah had the audacity to express doubt-- whereas Mary also expressed doubt, but after a relatively short announcement, & seeing that she lacked the service & opportunities to experience the Lord's riches (there were no consequences; she had much deeper faith). Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man & My wife is well along in years-- she was perh. younger than he, but still old in childbearing years.' The angel answered, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of GOD, & I have been sent to speak to You & to tell You this good news which you're doubting. And now You will be silent & not able to speak until the day this happens, because You did not believe My words, which will come true at their proper times.' Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah & wondering why He stayed so long in the temple. When He came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to Them but remained unable to speak-- he could formulate words in his brain, but not vocalize them. When His time of service was complete, He returned home. After this His wife Elizabeth became pregnant & for 5 months she remained in seclusion. 'The LORD has done this for Me,' She said. 'In these days HE has shown HIS Favor & taken away My disgrace among the people.'

2. Mary went to see Elizabeth Luke 1:39-56 This perhaps took place immediately after the announcement to Mary that she was going to have a child (which is treated in the next psalm), & that Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant-- it's unlikely that Mary was yet pregnant when she went to see Elizabeth (where she stayed 3 months). The next sentence after Then the angel left Her (Mary) is: At that time Mary got ready & hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where She entered Zechariah's home & greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting the baby leaped in Her womb in anticipation of the Holy Spirit, & Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice She exclaimed: 'Blessed are You among women, & blessed is the child You will in the future bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of My LORD should come to Me? As soon as the sound of Your greeting reached My ears, the baby leaped for joy. Blessed is She who believes that what the LORD has said will be accomplished (finalized)!' And Mary said in agreement/fellowship (the following portion highlighted in light blue is known as Mary's Song-- it is listed at the bottom of PerspectivesC. C. Songs & Prayers of the Bible): 'My soul glorifies the LORD & My spirit rejoices in GOD My Savior, for HE has been mindful of the humble state of HIS Servant-- recall David's humble state. From now on all generations will call Me blessed, for the Mighty ONE has done great things for Me-- Holy is HIS Name. HIS Mercy extends to Those who fear HIM, from generation to generation. HE has performed mighty deeds with HIS Arm; HE has scattered Those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. HE has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. HE has filled the hungry with good things but HE has sent the rich away empty. HE has helped HIS Servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham & His descendants forever, even as HE said to Our fathers.' Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about 3 months & then returned home-- perhaps it was during those 3 months, in the absence of Joseph, that Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit.

3. Childhood of John the Baptist Luke 1:57-80 John circumcised/named on the 8th day-- as was Jesus (per Luke 2:21); Zechariah confirms Elizabeth's choice-of-name: When it was time for Elizabeth to have Her baby, She gave birth to a son. Her neighbors & relatives heard that the LORD had shown Her great mercy, & They shared Her joy. On the 8th day They came to circumcise the child, & They (the neighbors/relatives) were going to name Him after His father Zechariah, but His mother spoke up & said, 'No! He is to be called John-- but Gabriel had communicated this to Zechariah.' They said to Her, 'There is no 1 among Your relatives who has that name.' Then They made signs to His father, to find out what He would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, & to everyone's astonishment He wrote, 'His name already is John'-- not 'give him the name John'; now perhaps Zechariah had communicated earlier to Elizabeth (via a writing tablet), perhaps there was a revelation when Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit upon Mary's visit-- point is, there was an earlier agreement (but yet Zechariah was not able to speak until the agreement was communicated via fellowship). Immediately His mouth was opened for him & His tongue was loosed, & He began to speak, praising GOD. The neighbors were all filled with present & future awe, & throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about these things. Now this is about John being born in the southern country of Judea, where Jesus was also born (in Bethlehem of Judea). But it is reminiscent of something Jesus said. He began His ministry in the northern country of Galilee (He grew up in Galilee's southwestern town of Nazareth, but 1 of the 1st places of ministry was in the central town of Capernaum)-- later in Nazareth's synagogue, after He quoted the proverb 'Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum', Jesus said no prophet is accepted in His hometown (Luke 4:23-24); s.a., vv. 28-30). But back to John, who, as we shall see at the end of this topic, lived in the desert until He appeared publically to Israel. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, 'What then is this child (John) going to be?' For the LORD'S Hand was with Him. His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit & prophesied via what is called Zechariah's Song-- it is highlighted in light blue; it is listed at the bottom of PerspectivesC. C. Songs & Prayers of the Bible): 'Praise be to the LORD, the GOD of Israel, because HE has come & redeemed HIS People. HE has raised up a horn (strength) of salvation for Us in the house of HIS Servant David (as HE said through HIS Holy Prophets of long ago), salvation from Our enemies & from the hand of all those who hate Us-- to show mercy to Our fathers & to remember HIS Holy Covenant, the oath HE swore to Our father Abraham: to rescue Us from the hand of Our enemies, & to enable Us to serve HIM without fear in holiness & righteousness before HIM all Our days. And You, My child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for You will go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give HIS People the knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins, because of the Tender Mercy of Our GOD, by which the rising sun will come to Us from Heaven, preceded by the rising star of the Magi to shine on those living in darkness & in the shadow of death, to guide Our feet into the path of peace.' And the child grew & became strong in spirit; & He lived in the desert until He appeared publicly to Israel.