Praise the Lord. It’s more than a Pinterest board, the full name of a defunct televangelist group (PTL), or a spontaneous outburst of a believer’s gratitude. In fact, the setting of those words in Psalm 146 have more to do with justice and care for the poor or sick. Find the interesting juxtaposition in Psalm 146, but don’t be too surprised. Our Lord specializes in the unexpected.
From Series: "Summer in the Psalms (2021)"
The Psalms aren’t simply to be read; we are to be immersed in them so that they profoundly shape how we relate to God and each other. Luther called the Psalms a “mini Bible” because in them we receive an overview of salvation history from creation through Jesus’ return and the renewal of all things. But the Psalms are more than theological instruction. They’re also a medicine chest for the heart and the best possible guide for practical living. The church father, Athanasius, wrote, “Whatever your particular need or trouble, from this same book [the Psalms] you can select a form of words to fit it, so that you . . . learn the way to remedy your ill.” Psalms anticipate and train us for every possible spiritual, social, and emotional condition—they show us what the dangers are, what we should keep in mind, what our attitude should be, how to talk to God about it, and how to get from God the help we need. Sounds like a pretty good way to spend our summer…together.
