Psalms 135 - 136 (with 5 topics)
Psalm 135 Author anonymous:
- Praise the LORD (Heb., Hallelu JAH-- see below, 1. Reference #4).
- Praise the Name of the LORD;
- praise HIM, You Servants of the LORD, You who minister in the House of Our GOD.
- Praise the LORD, for the LORD is Good;
- sing praise to HIS Name, for that is pleasant.
For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be HIS Own, Israel to be HIS Treasured Possession. I know that the LORD is great, that Our LORD is Greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases HIM, in the heavens & on the earth, in the seas & all their depths. Anytime:
- HE makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;
- HE sends lightening with the rain &
- brings out the wind from HIS Storehouses. Already:
- HE struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of men & animals.
- HE sent HIS Signs & Wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharoah & all his servants.
- HE struck down many nations & killed many kings-- Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan & all the kings of Canaan --&
- HE gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to HIS People Israel.
YOUR Name, O LORD, endures forever, YOUR Renown, O LORD, through all generations. For the LORD will vindicate HIS People & have compassion on HIS Servants. The idols of the nations are silver & gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths-- wind may enter, but it exits unchanged (with the oxygen intact). Those who make them will be like them-- unchanged (with sin intact), & so will all who trust them.
- O house of Israel, praise the LORD;
- O house of Levi, praise the LORD;
- You who fear HIM, praise the LORD.
Praise be:
- to the LORD from the place Zion, &
- to HIM who dwells in Jerusalem (see Psalms 127 - 132 Psalm 132).
Praise the LORD.
1. Reference #4 Hallelu JAH We 1st saw in Psalms 103 - 104 Psalm 104 that these 2 Hebrew words, Hallelu JAH, are rendered Praise the LORD in English. Actually this Hebrew combo occurs 23 times in the psalms, in 15 psalms (Psa 104:35; 105:45; 106:1; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1,9: 115:18; 116:19; 117:2; 135:1,3,21; 146:1,10; 147:1,20; 148:1,14; 149:1,9; 150:1,6-- or 23x in 14 psalms, as per the Septuagint, Psa 104:35 is actually Psa 105:1). It is curious that the author of all but 1 of those psalms is anonymous-- only Psa 105 was authored by David. Notice the gap between Psa 117 & Psa 135-- Hallelu JAH does not occur 1x in the lengthy Psa 119 (the long acrostic poem), nor in Psa 120-134 (the Songs of Ascents). Note also that Hallelujah (not Hallelu JAH) occurs exactly 4x in the all of the NT-- in Reve 19:1,3-4,6. That's near the end of Scripture, folks, when all Christians finally come wholeheartedly around to acknowledge the GOD of Israel (sandwiched between the Fall of Babylon & the 1000 years-- all before the wedding supper of the LAMB & the later New Jerusalem). Reve 19:1-9 has: After this (the Fall of Babylon) I heard what sounded like the roar of a great united multitude in Heaven shouting: 'Hallelujah! Salvation & glory & power belong to Our GOD, for true & just are HIS Judgments. HE has just condemned the great prostitute who corrupted (swindled/captivated/enslaved) the earth by her adulteries. HE has just avenged on her the blood of HIS Servants.' Note the gihugejic difference-- via His own blood shed for the remission of sins he had lovingly washed away the sins of HIS Servants; later HIS Servants shed their blood as the bulk of the world were enamored by Babylon; finally HE avenged on her the shed blood of HIS Servants. And again They shouted: 'Hallelujah! The smoke of her goes up for ever & ever-- an exuberant sigh-of-relief.' The 24 elders & the 4 living creatures fell down & worshiped GOD, who was seated on the throne. And upon worshiping They cried: 'Amen, Hallelujah!' Then a (one) voice came from the throne, saying: 'Praise Our GOD, all You HIS Servants, who fear HIM, both small babes & great mature ones!' Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of mighty waters & like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah! For Our LORD GOD Almighty, the GOD of Israel, reigns. Let Us rejoice & be glad & give HIM glory! For the Wedding of the LAMB has come & HIS Bride has made herself ready-- recall Jesus praying to God his Father, May They also be One in US. Then the angel said to Me, 'Write: Blessed are Those who are invited to the Wedding Supper of the LAMB.'
2. Transition #6 Slavery-to-sin, to slavery-to-righteousness, to service Unlike the other transitions (see OriginalTOPS Transitions), this transition is not from 1 time period to another (often from O.T. times to N.T. times), but the transition here is from the non-Christan to the babe-in Christ to the fully-mature Christian. A non-Christian is catapulted from being a slave-to-sin to being a slave-to-righteousness (the only choices there are to ABC-- admit to him/herself that he/she needs his/her sin stains washed away, believe that Jesus alone has that capacity, & confess all the above to God). However, via a sometimes-long series of life-choices the Christian gradually matures-- becoming a dyed-in-the-wool servant-of-righteousness, totally-conformed-to-HIS-likeness. Now, these life-choices are hardly the only thing maturing Christians have to deal with-- 2ndCor 11:15 says that Satan's servants masquerade as servants-of-righteousness (i.e., as if mature Christians). But back to the matter of the gradual transformation from being slaves-of-righteousness to being servants-of-righteousness. In Psalm 19 - 24 Psalm 19 1. Commentary #2 Slavery I pointed out, ref. Roma 1:18, that while perhaps the main reason the KJV authors chose to use the term "servants" was political (the sensitivity of the term slavery), it was a good rendering, as it had allowed for choice. But now I'm thinking that indeed the change the NIV made was good; the KJV had covered too much ground in 1 verse-- it skipped over that fact that we are 1st slaves-to-righteousness, then more-&-more become servants-to-righteousness. How so we become servants? Roma 8:29 says, For those GOD foreknew HE also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of HIS Son. Phlp 2:5,7 says, Christ Jesus made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Roma 6:19,22; 7:25; 12:2 says, Offer the parts of Your body in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness; the benefits You reap lead to holiness. In My mind I am a slave to GOD'S Law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world-- the preoccupations thereof. but be ye transformed by the renewing of Your mind-- this renewing trumps the sin slavery we just mentioned. 1stCor 9:27 says, I beat My body & make it My slave so I will not be disqualified for the prize-- elsewhere phrased as the treasure laid up in Heaven. Gala 5:1 says, Stand firm, & do not allow yourself to be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.
3. Woman #7 used-of-God Alabaster woman #3 (Mary) Per John Long ago we saw Psalms 99 - 102 Psalm 101 1. Woman #3 used-of-God Alabaster... Per Luke about an inidentified woman that had been used near the beginning of Jesus' ministry; recently in Psalms 133 - 134 Psalm 133 3. Woman #6 used-of-God Alabaster... Per Matt & Mark we saw about another unidentified woman used close to the end of His ministry in Simon the Leper's house-- just 2 days before the Passover. Now we see another woman (Mary) being used 6 days before the Passover in Lazarus' house. John 12:1-11 says, 6 days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; She poured it on Jesus' feet & wiped His feet with Her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But 1 of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected. 'Why wasn't this perfume sold & the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.' He did not say this because He cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, He used to help himself to what was put into it. Leave Her alone, Jesus replied. It was intended that She should save this perfume for the day of My burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there & came, not only because of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of Him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus & putting their faith in Him.
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Psalm 136 Author anonymous; said to address being thankful. This psalm is listed as an acrostic poem in PerspectivesB B.2., but many do not cite it that way-- it does not have the verses/stanzas/lines beginning with successive letters (or headings, together with the verses of each stanza, as successive consonants, in the case of Psa 119); rather each line ends with the phrase, HIS Love endures forever (though it appears as if the phrase was chanted/echoed by a section-of-the-choir). This phrase also appears in 1stCh 16:34; 2Ch 20:21 (the author of these books is traditionally cited as being Ezra), & in Psa 106:1 (author anonymous, as in this psalm):
Give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good. HIS Love endures forever Give thanks to the GOD of gods. HIS Love endures forever Give thanks to the LORD of lords. HIS Love endures forever to HIM who alone does great wonders, HIS Love endures forever who by HIS Understanding made the heavens, HIS Love endures forever who spread out the earth upon the waters, HIS Love endures forever who made the great lights (sun, moon & stars)-- HIS Love endures forever the sun to govern (shine in) the day, HIS Love endures forever the moon & stars to govern the night; HIS Love endures forever to HIM who struck down the firstborn of Egypt HIS Love endures forever & brought out Israel from among them HIS Love endures forever with a mighty hand & outstretched arms; HIS Love endures forever to HIM who divided the Red Sea asunder HIS Love endures forever & brought Israel through the midst of it, HIS Love endures forever but swept Pharoah & his armies into the Red Sea; HIS Love endures forever to HIM who led HIS People through the desert, HIS Love endures forever who struck down great kings, HIS Love endures forever & killed mighty kings-- HIS Love endures forever Sihon king of the Amorites HIS Love endures forever & Og king of Bashan -- HIS Love endures forever & gave their land as an inheritance, HIS Love endures forever an inheritance to HIS Servant Israel; HIS Love endures forever to the ONE who remembered Us in Our low estate HIS Love endures forever & freed Us from Our enemies, HIS Love endures forever & gives good food to every creature. HIS Love endures forever Give thanks to the GOD of Heaven. HIS Love endures forever!
1. Birth of Jesus Per Matt Matt 1:18 - 2:12 An unnamed angel appears to Joseph; the Magi go to Bethlehem: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged (engaged/betrothed) to become married sometime to Joseph, but before They came together [had sex-- Luke 1:35 says (prior to this) I am a virgin], She was found to be with child (pregnant) through the Holy Spirit-- man had nada to do with it. Because Joseph Her promised husband was a righteous man & also did not want to expose (reveal) Her to public disgrace-- he was considerate, He had in mind to divorce Her (give a certificate of divorce to Her, per Deu 24:1) quietly. But after He had considered this, an Angel of the LORD appeared to Him in a dream & said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as Your wife, because what is conceived in Her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, & You are to give Him the Name Jesus (Heb., Joshua-- the LORD saves), because He will save His people from Their sins-- note 2 things: obviously HE saves only HIS people from the consequences of their sins as they become HIS people, but not quite so evident is that HE saves HIS people from the repercussions of their later sins if they confess.' All this took place to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet in Isa 7:14b: The virgin will be with child & will give birth to a son, & They will call Him Immanuel-- which means, GOD with Us. When Joseph woke up, He did what the Angel of the LORD had commanded Him & took Mary home as His wife. But He had no union (sex) with Her until She gave birth to a son-- 'how can I add-to or take-credit-for what the Lord is doing.' And He gave Him the name Jesus. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of king Herod, Magi (traditionally, Wise Men) from the east came to Jerusalem & asked, 'Where is the 1 who was born king of the Jews? We saw His star while we were in the east & have come to worship Him. Recall the 4th oracle of Balaam's epiphany [see PSALM 95 Psalm 95 Balaam's Epiphany-- BUT(end)], where he said, I see HIM, but not now. A star will come out of Jacob. When king Herod heard this he was disturbed, & all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests & teachers of the law, he asked Them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' They replied, for this is what the prophet has written that God said: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of MY People Israel (Mic 5:2ab). Then Herod called the Magi secretly & found out from Them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent Them to Bethlehem & said, 'Go & make a careful search for the child. As soon as You find Him, report to me, so that I too may go & worship Him.' After They had heard the king, They went on Their way, & the star They had seen while They were in the east went ahead of Them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When They saw the star stop, They were overjoyed-- 1st they had been joyous, as it confirmed that their journey was not over, that it was God's will for them to go see the child; now They were overjoyed, as they knew they were about to see the babe. But we shall see that though God used Herod to send them on, he was frustrated in his plan to use them to frustrate God. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, & They bowed down & worshiped Him. Then They opened Their treasure & presented Him with gifts of gold & of incense & of myrrh-- again, They were overjoyed as they would indeed be able to give the gifts they had brought in anticipation of seeing him. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. They returned to Their country by another route.
2. Birth of Jesus Per Luke, Part 1 Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, as he had to Zechariah (father of John the Baptist); an un-named angel appeared to Joseph; no angel appeared to Elizabeth: In the 6th month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, GOD sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her & said, 'Greetings, You who are highly favored (esteemed)! The LORD is with You.' Mary was greatly troubled at His words & wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to Her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, You have found favor with GOD. You will be with child & give birth to a son, & You are to give Him the name Jesus-- the same instruction the un-named angel had given to Joseph. He will be great & will be called the Son of the Most High. The LORD GOD will give Him the throne of His "father" David, & HE will reign over the house of Jacob forever; HIS Kingdom will never end.' 'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon You, & the Power of the Most High will overshadow You. So the Holy One born to You will be called (child to be born will be called Holy,) the Son of GOD. Even Elizabeth Your relative is going to have a child in Her old age, & She who was said to be barren is in Her 6th month. For nothing is impossible with GOD.' 'I am the LORD'S Servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to Me as You have said.' Then the angel left Her.
3. Birth of Jesus Per Luke, Part 2 Luke 2:1-20 Trip to Bethlehem; several un-named angels appear to shepherds; the shepherds visit-- not the rich Magi we saw in Matt: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the 1st census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, in Bethlehem the town of David, because He belonged to the house & line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to Him & was expecting a child. While They were there, the time came for the baby to be born, & She gave birth to Her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths & laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over Their flocks at night. An unnamed Angel of the LORD appeared to Them-- later multiple angels, & the Glory of the LORD shone around Them, & They were terrified-- what'd the sheep do? But the angel said to Them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring You good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to You-- recall the angel appeared to the Magi after He was born; He is Christ the LORD. This will be a sign to You: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes & lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising GOD & saying, 'Glory to GOD in the highest, & on earth peace to men on whom HIS Favor rests.' When the several angels had left Them & gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to 1 another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem & see this thing that has already happened, which the LORD has told Us about.' So They hurried off & found Mary & Joseph, & the baby, who was lying in a manger. When They had seen Him, They spread the word concerning what had been told Them about this child. & all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to Them. But Mary treasured all these things & pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying & praising GOD, for all the things They had heard & seen, which were just as They had been told.
