READ IT! - Introduction to Psalms 143-150

Readings for this week

Monday: Psalm 143
Tuesday: Psalm 144
Wednesday: Psalm 145
Thursday: Psalm 146
Friday: Psalm 147
Saturday: Psalm 148
Sunday: Psalm 149

Introduction to Psalms 143-150

Psalm 143 

David writes, “Hear my prayer, O LORD! My enemy has crushed my life. My soul thirsts for you. Teach me the way I should go. Destroy my adversaries.” 

Psalm 144 

David writes, “Blessed be the LORD, who trains my hands for war. O LORD, reach down and rescue me! May there be no cry of distress in our streets.”

Ancient armies were often made up of citizen soldiers called up in times of emergency. These citizens could fight with dedication but were poorly trained and armed and often needed to return home on short order to tend their crops. Armed conflict was indeed a fact of life for the peoples of ancient times. Against this reality David had ample reason to thank God, who trained his hands for war. 

Psalm 145 

This Davidic psalm is an acrostic psalm of praise. He writes, “I will exalt you, my God and King. All you have made will praise you. The LORD is faithful. He is near to all who call upon him.” 

In Jewish practice this psalm was recited twice each morning and once each evening. 

Psalm 146 

The anonymous author of this psalm writes, “Praise the LORD, O my soul! Do not trust in mortal men. The LORD executes justice for the oppressed. He watches over the fatherless.” 

Psalm 147 

The anonymous author of this psalm writes, “It is good to sing praises to our God! He counts the stars. He lifts up the humble. Praise the LORD! He declares his word to Israel.” 

Psalm 148 

The anonymous author of this psalm writes, “Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise the LORD from the earth! Young and old together, praise the LORD!” 

Psalm 149 

The anonymous author of this psalm writes, “Praise the LORD! Let Israel rejoice in their maker. The LORD takes delight in his people. Let swords be in their hands for judgment.” 

Psalm 150 

The anonymous author of this psalm writes, “Praise the LORD! Praise him with trumpet and strings! Praise him with loud cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!” 

All God’s creations that “has breath” – particularly humanity – is called to praise the Lord. The Hebrew word used here applies to all living creatures endowed with life by the Creator.