Our Never-Ending Praise

Meditations on Christ in the Psalms

January 13, 2023

Our Never-Ending Praise

Who can be compared with the Lord our God,

who is enthroned on high?

Psalm 113:5

Prayers do not have to be long. Some of the most profound prayers are quite simple in form and short in length. Psalm 113, with just nine verses, is an excellent example of this. Not only is it short and direct, but it is also timeless in its depth.

Psalm 113 is a part of the praise psalms: 113-118 and 120-136. These psalms were used in the great festivals of Israel, and Psalms 113-118 were sung in homes during the Passover. However, Psalm 113 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Gospel of Luke.

Psalm 113 is structured on the contrast between high and low, as verses 5 and 6 demonstrate:

“Who is like the Lord our God,

   who is seated on high,

 who looks far down

   on the heavens and the earth?” (NRSV)

Luke follows this pattern early in his Gospel when Mary’s Magnificat proclaims,

“for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.

   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

   and lifted up the lowly;”

Luke 1:48, 52 (NRSV)

The parable of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus is an excellent example of God lifting up the lowly. (Luke 16:19-31) This contrast can also be seen in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), and the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee in the Temple praying. Jesus concludes this parable saying, “I tell you, this man (tax collector) went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14 NRSV).

Finally, the barren woman in the psalm (v.9) finds fulfillment in the miraculous pregnancies of Elizabeth and Mary. (Luke 1:11-17 and 26-38).

There is a great tendency in our culture to think in terms of, “What have you done for me lately?” We can guard against our cultural values influencing our prayers by turning to the Scriptures, such as Psalm 113, and the Gospel of Luke, to help us pray.

My Takeaway: On Christmas Eve, Cheryl and I began watching The Chosen. In episode two, the celebration of Shabbat was depicted and included prayers of remembrance of God caring for His people over one thousand years previously. This has prompted me to be aware of the context of my prayers. Does my memory extend beyond my own birth?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.