Reading Plan · Day 181
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Psalms 131-135
Day 181
Previously · Day 180 · Psalms 126-130
The previous day's reading covered five more of the fifteen songs of Ascents. There were still four more...
Day 181 Read
Where You Stopped
Psalm 131
1A Song of Ascents; of David. Jehovah, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, Or in things too wonderful for me.
1A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
Commentary · verse 1
2Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child with his mother, Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
2Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
Commentary · verse 2
David's soul was peaceful and patient.
3O Israel, hope in Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore.
3Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 132
1A Song of Ascents. Jehovah, remember for David All his affliction; 2How he sware unto Jehovah, And vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob: 3Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, Nor go up into my bed; 4I will not give sleep to mine eyes, Or slumber to mine eyelids; 5Until I find out a place for Jehovah, A tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob.
1A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:
2How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
5Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
Commentary · verses 1-5
This vow was not recorded elsewhere in the Bible. David had an intense desire to see an establishment for God's worship and service.
6Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah: We found it in the field of the wood.
6Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
Commentary · verse 6
"Ephrathah" was Beth-lehem: Genesis 48:7.
7We will go into his tabernacles; We will worship at his footstool.
8Arise, O Jehovah, into thy resting-place; Thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; And let thy saints shout for joy.
7We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
Commentary · verses 7-9
A request for the priests to be clothed in righteousness.
10For thy servant David’s sake Turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11Jehovah hath sworn unto David in truth; He will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12If thy children will keep my covenant And my testimony that I shall teach them, Their children also shall sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13For Jehovah hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for his habitation.
10For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
Commentary · verses 10-13
God chose Zion (Jerusalem) for His dwelling place.
14This is my resting-place for ever: Here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16Her priests also will I clothe with salvation; And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
14This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
Commentary · verses 14-17
David's horn being caused to bud meant that God would enlarge David's leadership.
18His enemies will I clothe with shame; But upon himself shall his crown flourish.
18His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
Where You Stopped
Psalm 133
1A Song of Ascents; of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
1A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Commentary · verse 1
David wrote of fellowship. Fellowship meant "to give, to share." An effect of this was unity.
2It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments;
2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Commentary · verse 2
The holy anointing oil for the high priest was olive oil mixed with four of the best spices: Exodus 30:22,25,30.
3Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: For there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.
3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Commentary · verse 3
"Hermon" was a mountain and its name meant "sanctuary."
Where You Stopped
Psalm 134
1A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.
1A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Commentary · verse 1
This psalm was an exhortation to bless the Lord…
2Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless ye Jehovah.
3Jehovah bless thee out of Zion; Even he that made heaven and earth.
2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
Commentary · verses 2-3
Jehovah was God who created the heaven and the earth. This was the last of the songs of Ascents. If we look at the Book of Psalms relative to worship, the authors of the "Exodus" and "Leviticus" sections symbolized the Ark of the Covenant. Perhaps these fifteen psalms represented the Ark of the Covenant ascending to the temple where it belonged, which fit this "Deuteronomy" section that was focused on divine government. Next, we will see a psalm of praise, which would follow the Ark being in the temple...
Where You Stopped
Psalm 135
1Praise ye Jehovah. Praise ye the name of Jehovah; Praise him, O ye servants of Jehovah, 2Ye that stand in the house of Jehovah, In the courts of the house of our God.
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
2Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
Commentary · verses 1-2
Encouragement for those who stand in the temple to praise Jehovah.
3Praise ye Jehovah; for Jehovah is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
3Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
Commentary · verse 3
The reason: "for Jehovah was Good"...Right and Just.
4For Jehovah hath chosen Jacob unto himself, And Israel for his own possession.
5For I know that Jehovah is great, And that our Lord is above all gods.
4For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
Commentary · verses 4-5
God was great and above all gods.
6Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;
6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
Commentary · verse 6
God was Right and Just. The things that pleased God were always Right and Just.
7Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who maketh lightnings for the rain; Who bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries; 8Who smote the first-born of Egypt, Both of man and beast;
7He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
8Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
Commentary · verses 7-8
The Passover - it was as if the Law/history was being proclaimed to all those in attendance during a temple dedication.
9Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants; 10Who smote many nations, And slew mighty kings, 11Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan, 12And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel his people.
9Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
Commentary · verses 9-12
Canaan was given to the Israelites as the Promised Land. Notice, Og (Numbers 22) was still mentioned.
13Thy name, O Jehovah, endureth for ever; Thy memorial name, O Jehovah, throughout all generations.
14For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself concerning his servants.
15The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands.
16They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not; 17They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
13Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
15The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
16They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
Commentary · verses 13-18
Verses 15-18 were similar to Psalm 115:4-8. The attributes of these false gods were like the attributes of the men that made the false gods, and like those who trusted in the false gods.
19O house of Israel, bless ye Jehovah: O house of Aaron, bless ye Jehovah: 20O house of Levi, bless ye Jehovah: Ye that fear Jehovah, bless ye Jehovah.
21Blessed be Jehovah out of Zion, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah.
19Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Commentary · verses 19-21
Encouragement to bless God and praise Him, especially from the priesthood.
Commentary · verse 21
This day's reading covered the last of the songs of Ascents as well as a psalm of praise.
David expressed his humility. He was aware of his capabilities and did not do things he knew he could not do.