Grace Institute: The Writings : Psalms Part 9

Psalms Survey of the Old Testament: The Writings Fall 2006

Sample Descriptive Praise: Egyptian Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118)

Liturgical Background

Psalm 113-118 are collectively known as the Egyptian Hallel Psalms. The psalms are called the Egyptian Hallel due to the reference to Gods deliverance of Israel from Egypt in Psalm 114:1.

These six psalms are read by the Jews during Passover, Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles, as well as Hanukkah and at New Moons. The tradition of reading these Psalms together at these high holidays dates back as far as the Maccabeean period, meaning Jesus and the disciples would have sung these hymns during their celebration of Passover in the upper room.

Today, because of the Messianic aspects of these psalms, some Jews recite these psalms also at Israels Independence Day (Yom Haatzmaut) and on Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim).

Psalm 113: Yahweh Humbles Himself

Call to Worship (113:1-3)

The Hallel begins appropriately with the call to worship: Hallelujah! The servants of Yahweh are being called to praise the name of Yahweh. This blessing is to take place always, from the rising of the sun to its setting (113:3).

There is No One Like Yahweh (113:4-5)

The Psalm then reminds us that Yahweh is above all the nations. Our God, Yahweh in enthroned in the heavens. No matter the national crisis, Israel can be assured that their God is not merely some national or regional God. He rules over all the nations and over all the earth. There is no one like Him.

He Humbles Himself (113:6-9a)

What truly makes God great, however, is while He is above all; He humbles himself (113:6) in order to help those who are humble. He raises the poor and needy to be like princes (113:7-8). He makes barren women as joyful as the mother of children (113:9). Yahweh may be enthroned on high, but he reaches down in humility to assist those in weakness.

Psalm 113:6 tells of how Yahweh, enthroned on high, humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth. God does not remain remote, but helps the weak and needy by humbling himself and coming down to our level. The ultimate fulfillment of this is in Jesus, who, although He was God, emptied himself in humility, becoming a man and dying a criminals death to save the needy (Philippians 2).

Renewed Call to Worship (113:9b)

The psalm ends with a repeat of the original call to worship: Hallelujah!

Psalm 114: Yahweh Rescued Israel

Psalm 114 gives a specific example of how Yahweh humbles himself to help the needy: the Exodus (114:1). When Israel was in slavery in Egypt, God came down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians (Exodus 3:8). In the process, Yahweh came to dwell with Israel, establishing his sanctuary among them and establishing Israel as His dominion (114:2).

The psalm recounts how God manipulated nature to rescue Israel. He turned back the Red Sea. He turned back the Jordan River (114:3, 5). He made the mountains and earth to tremble (114:4, 6). He created water out of rocks to quench their thirst in the desert (114:8).

This is God reaching down in humility to deliver His people.

Psalm 115: Yahweh is Trustworthy

Call to Worship (115:1)

The events of the Exodus cause us to realize that it is not us, but Yahweh who deserves the glory. It is his lovingkindness and truth that delivered Israel from the land of Egypt.

The God of Israel Contrasted with other gods (115:2-8)

During times of captivity, the nations around Israel had reason to doubt that their God was the one all powerful ruler (115:2). But the psalmist reminds us that Israels plight is not an indication that God is not sovereign. God remains in heaven, doing as He pleases (115:3). He is not obligated to rescue Israel.

Contrast this with the gods of other nations. They are merely statues of silver and gold. They have mouths, but can not speak; eyes, but can not see. Thos who trust in such worthless idols will become like these gods; that is, people who can not speak, see, hear, smell, etc.

Yahweh is Trustworthy (115:9-13)

The Psalmist now calls on the listener to trust in Yahweh, for He is their help and shield. He does this by calling out to three groups: Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear and trust in Yahweh.

You can confidently put your trust in Yahweh, for He is mindful of us, and he will bless us (115:12). His silence does not mean He does not care or does not listen. This is the God who humbles himself to deliver the needy. He keeps the needy in mind and is willing to come down to bless those who fear and trust Him. Therefore, if Israel, Aaron and those who fear Him put their trust in Yahweh, He will bless them.

The Blessing on Those Who Trust Yahweh (115:14-16)

The blessing mentioned in verses 12-13 are delineated in verses 14-16. There will be children born to those who trust Him (115:14). You will inherit the earth (115:15-16). The very maker of the heavens and the earth will give the earth to the sons of men.

Renewed Call to Worship (115:17-18)

The dead do not praise Yahweh. But as for us, those who trust in Him and are blessed by Him, we will bless the Lord forever. Hallelujah!

Psalm 116: Yahweh Hears Us

Call to Worship (116:1-2)

This call to worship is very personal. Rather than call out for the singer to praise God, the call comes from an individual experience. The psalmist expresses his love for Yahweh because He hears when we call. God inclines His ear and responds to our needs. He humbles himself to deliver us. Therefore, the psalmist will call upon Yahweh, and in so doing invites us to do the same.

Need for Deliverance (116:3-6)

The psalmist describes his own need for deliverance. He was near death and in great distress and sorrow. So, he called out for Yahweh to save his life. While the psalmist was brought low, God saved him.

The reason God saved him, however, is due to Gods character. He is gracious, righteous and compassionate. Yahweh preserves the simple. He reaches out to those who in humility trust Him.

The Deliverance (116:7-11)

The psalmist has been rescued from death, and will again walk in the land of the living. Yahweh has dealt bountifully with him.

Response to Deliverance (116:12-19a)

The psalmist ponders now: what shall He give to Yahweh in response to his deliverance? He will pay his vows; he shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving in the temple.

Verse 15 presents an interesting statement. According to the rendering in most translations, God finds the death of his people as precious. This seems odd in that the psalmist is praising God for delivering him from death. If the traditional understanding of this verse is correct, then wouldnt it have been better for God not to deliver him, but just to take him home?

The question comes, is it the death which God finds precious, or is the object of the preciousness his godly ones? This is the interpretation which the New Living Translation takes:

The Lord's loved ones are precious to him;
        it grieves him when they die.

Renewed Call to Worship (116:19b)

In light of his experience, the psalmist calls on the singer: Hallelujah!

Psalm 117

Call To Worship (117:1)

This short psalm begins with a call to worship, not just of Israel, but all the nations and all the peoples.

Reason for Worship (117:2a)

As given in 115:1, it is Gods great lovingkindness and truth which should inspire us to praise him.

Renewed Call to Worship (117:2b)

The call to worship is repeated: Hallelujah!

Psalm 118

The Egyptian Hallel Psalms conclude with the longest psalm in the group. Here God is praised not just for the deliverance of the past, but for future deliverance of Israel as well.

Call to Worship (118:1-4)

The call to praise starts out generally. We are to give thanks to Yahweh for his goodness and his lovingkindness (118:1). He then gets specific. Using the same groups found in Psalm 115:9-13, the psalmist calls on Israel (118:2), the house of Aaron (118:3), and then all who fear Yahweh (118:4) to say, His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Yahwehs Past Deliverance (118:5-21)

The psalmist then recounts how he called upon Yahweh in his distress, and He answered him (118:5). This taught him lessons which he passes on: If Yahweh is for us, you have nothing to fear (118:5-6). Therefore it is better to trust in Yahweh than in men or princes (118:8-9).

The psalmist recounts how his enemies surrounded him like bees, but they are cut off (118:10-13). Based on this personal experience, the psalmist can proclaim that Yahweh is his strength and song (118:14).

Therefore, based on this past deliverance, the psalmist explains why there is joyful shouting taking place among the righteous (118:15). The right hand of Yahweh (right hand denoting strength) is lifted high and is triumphant (118:16). The psalmist praises God because his deliverance allows him to live on to go to the gates of the temple (118:17-21).

Yahwehs Future Deliverance (118:22-27)

The psalmist now declares that this is the day in which God will not only rescue him individually, but will soon rescue Israel from all its oppressors. Israel has long been the rejected stone (118:22). The nations have surrounded her and oppressed her (118:10). But now the rejected stone will become the cornerstone. This is the Yahwehs doing (118:23).

This is the day! This is the time God will deliver Israel (118:24). In verse 25, the psalmist cries out for this deliverance: Save us now, Yahweh! This is the Hebrew term Hosanna!

How will this salvation happen? By the hand of the one who comes in the name of Yahweh (118:26). Yahweh has given the light to accomplish this deliverance.

Deliverance by the Messiah

One can not ignore the Messianic overtones of this psalm. While the rejected cornerstone is a reference to Israel, Peter expands our understanding of this verse in Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:4-7. Jesus has now become the cornerstone who was rejected by the leaders of the very nation whom he was sent to rescue.

In the last week of Jesus life, he and his disciples go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Five days before the Passover feast, Jesus comes to Jerusalem. Word has gotten out that Jesus is coming, and there is a sense of excitement among the people. Here is this prophet from Galilee coming. He says the kingdom of God is at hand. He is said to have raised Lazarus from the dead! Could this be the promised Messiah who will deliver the nation? Could this be the day?

As Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey, the crowds lay down their coats and palm branches in front of him (Matthew 20:6-9), and in anticipation of how Jesus might deliver them, they cry out Hosanna! Save us now! How will this salvation come? They hope from this one riding the donkey. Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yahweh!

But the deliverance the people expected was not what Jesus accomplished. They were looking for deliverance from the oppression of the Romans. They were looking for the establishment of an earthly kingdom. But Jesus was going to deliver them from a far greater oppressor: their iniquity. He was going to establish His kingdom, but it would come in a different form.

What the people of Israel missed was verse 27. Deliverance would come only through sacrifice.

Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

The term "cord" is the Hebrew term for boughs or foliage. The call of this verse is for the people to bring their Passover lamb (the festival sacrifice) with their boughs in hand to the altar to be sacrificed. In the triumphal procession, the people have their boughs in hand as Jesus presents himself as the festival sacrifice, that is, the Passover lamb.

Four days later, Jesus and his disciples would be sitting in an upper room celebrating the Passover together (Matthew 26:26-30). As they sat in the room, Jesus would present himself as the bread to be broken and the cup to be poured out. The disciples then sang a hymn before they left. Most likely, the hymn they sung was Psalm 118, the last of the Hallel psalms. Imagine Jesus singing that very night Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar, knowing that in a few hours he would be that sacrifice.

But it was in this way that Yahweh chose to deliver us and bring about salvation. This is Yahwehs doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes (118:23)

Renewed Call to Praise (118:28-29)

In response to this future deliverance, all we can do is thank Him and extol Him and proclaim Him to be our God. So we end with this renewed call to praise:

Give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good
    His love endures forever.

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