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The Hallel Psalms
Therefore David blessed the LORD before all
the congregation: and David said, Blessed be
you, LORD God of Israel our father, forever
and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,
and the power,and the glory, and the victory,
and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven
and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom,
O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
Both riches and honor come from you, and you
reign over all; and in your hand is power and
might; and in your hand it is to make great,
and to give strength unto all. Now therefore,
our God, we thank you, and praise your
glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)
This is a group of psalms called "The Hallel", or "Hallelujah of the Jews". In the centuries before Jesus, it had become a tradition for the Jews that during the Feast of
Tabernacles, the High Priest would lead a procession back up to the temple, carrying a golden jar filled with water from the pool of Siloam. As the procession entered the
inner temple court, there would be three trumpet blasts marking the joy of the occasion, and the people would recite Isaiah 12:3: "With joy you will draw water from the
wells of salvation". The priest would then march around the altar while the people sang the Hallel, Psalms 113-118. The water was then offered to God during the morning sacrifice.
So many of the most beloved Psalms are songs of hallelujah and thanksgiving to God, for His lovingkindness, His mercy, His providence, His justice, and His protection of His people.
Those who love the Lord cannot help but be filled with thanksgiving and praise; the more we know of God and His character, the more we have reason to
praise Him and be thankful.
David, forever known as man after God's own heart, was always quick to praise God and give thanks to Him, knowing Him to be the source of
every blessing and every good thing in life. (see also James 1:17) If we keep our hearts focused on God, as David did, we will find that even when our circumstances
may temporarily bring us down, there is always, always, ALWAYS something to thank God for!
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Psalm 113 is the first of the Hallel psalms. It is a song of pure praise to the greatness and goodness of the God of Israel. It is a praise to God's unique character: there is no other god like Him.
Notice that the word "praise" is repeated three times in the very first verse. Any time something is repeated, we should pay particular attention to what is being taught, especially when it is repeated three times!
The number three in Scripture is a very significant number, representing the Trinity.
Psalm 113
Praise you the LORD. Praise, O you servants of the
LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the
name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the
same the LORD's name is to be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory
above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD
our God, who dwells on high, Who humbles himself
to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the
earth! He raises up the poor out of the dust, and
lifts the needy out of the ash heap; That he may
set him with princes, even with the princes of his
people. He makes the barren woman to keep
house, and to be a joyful mother of children.
Praise you the LORD.
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Psalm 114 celebrates God's incredible deliverance of the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt, and choosing them, out of all the nations on earth, to be His people.
The entire earth saw God move in Israel's behalf,
and trembled at His power and might, proving that even inanimate objects like the sea and the mountains recognize God's power and authority, His majesty and His greatness.
Psalm 114
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob
from a people of strange language; Judah was his
sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. The sea saw it,
and fled: Jordan was driven back. The mountains
skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
What ailed you, O you sea, that you fled? you
Jordan,that you were driven back? You mountains,
that you skipped like rams; and you little hills, like
lambs? Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the
Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; Who
turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into
a fountain of waters.
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The previous psalm extolled the wonders God had wrought in the past; now He is
entreated to glorify himself again. The heathen nations around them saw the absence of current miracles
like those God had formerly performed, as evidence that their God had left them.
They insulted the people of God by asking "Where is now their God?"
It grieved the heart of God's people that He should be so dishonored, and they beseech the Lord, not to vindicate them, but to vindicate his own name.
Psalm 115
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto your
name give glory, for your mercy, and for your
truth's sake. Why should the nations say, Where
is now their God? But our God is in the heavens:
he has done whatsoever he has pleased. Their
idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have
they, but they see not: They have ears, but they
hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have
they, but they walk not: neither speak they through
their throat. They that make them are like unto
them; so is every one that trusts in them.
O Israel, trust you in the LORD: he is their help and
their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in theLORD: he
is their help and their shield. You that fear the LORD,
trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. The
LORD has been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will
bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of
Aaron. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both
small and great. The LORD shall increase you more
and more, you and your children. You are blessed
of the LORD who made heaven and earth. The
heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but
the earth has he given to the children of men. The
dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go
down into silence. But we will bless the LORD from
this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD.
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Psalm 116 is a psalm based on personal experience with the Lord; the psalmist knows it is the Lord who has delivered him. He loves the Lord because the Lord has heard and answered his
supplications and delivered him. He gives all the reasons why the Lord is so deserving of greatest devotion: because the Lord is gracious and righteous and merciful, and helps
His people, delivering them from their sorrows, aflictions, and even death. For all these reasons he offers the Lord the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and sings hallelujahs unto God in the midst of the entire congregation.
Psalm 116
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my
supplications. Because he has inclined his ear unto me,
therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows
of death surrounded me, and the pangs of sheol got hold
upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon
the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech you, deliver
my soul. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our
God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple: I was
brought low, and he helped me. Return unto your rest, O
my soul; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For
you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from
tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the
LORD in the land of the living. I believed, therefore
have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: I said in my haste,
All men are liars. What shall I render unto the LORD for
all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation,
and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows
unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, and the
son of your handmaid: you have loosed my bonds. I will offer
to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the
name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now
in the presence of all his people, In the courts of the LORD's
house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise you the LORD.
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Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, and a call to ALL nations to praise God for his goodness to his covenant people, and to all those who
would believe in Him. Other nations could not be expected to join in the praise of Jehovah if He had not intended for them to be included
in His blessings, which were given first to Israel. This Psalm was prophetic, in that it sent a clear message to Israel that the grace and mercy of their God was not
for them alone, but would one day extend to the whole world.
Psalm 117
O Praise the LORD, all you nations: praise
Him, all you people. For his merciful kindness
is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD
endures forever. Praise you the LORD.
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Although Psalm 118 was obviously intended to be sung by the entire congregation for some national festivity, it describes the personal experience of the writer with God's
deliverance and protection. The psalmist not only thanks God himself, but exhorts all the people to do the same, and adds a prayer for continued blessing.
It is also prophetic, pointing to Jesus as the stone the builders rejected, who became the cornerstone of the Christian church.
We cannot determine with assurance the exact time of this psalm.
It may have been composed by David upon becoming king, or maybe by a later psalmist commemorating the construction of the second temple.
Regardless, the tone is joyful, expressing great thankfulness and trust in God.
Psalm 118
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:
because his mercy endures forever. Let Israel
now say, that his mercy endures forever. Let
the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy
endures forever. Let them now that fear the
LORD say, that his mercy endures forever.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD
answered me, and set me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what
can man do unto me? The LORD takes my
part with them that help me: therefore shall
I see my desire upon them that hate me. It
is better to trust in the LORD than to put
confidence in man. It is better to trust in the
LORD than to put confidence in princes.
All nations encompassed me about: but in the name
of the LORD will I destroy them. They encompassed
me about; yea, they encompassed me about: but in
the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They
encompassed me about like bees; they are quenched
as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will
destroy them. You have thrust hard at me that I might
fall: but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is
become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing
and salvation is in the tabernacles of the
righteous: the right hand of the LORD does
valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted:
the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. I shall
not die, but live, and declare the works of the
LORD. The LORD has chastened me severely:
but he has not given me over unto death. Open
to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into
them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of
the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise you: for you have heard me, and
have become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected has become
the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S
doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day
which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be
glad in it. Save now, I beseech you, O LORD: O
LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that comes in the name of the
LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of
the LORD. God is the LORD, who has showed
us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto
the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will
praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you. O
give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for
his mercy endures forever.
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In Psalm 135, a psalm of praise, the first fourteen verses contain an exhortation to praise Jehovah for his goodness, love, and and unchanging character.
Then there are a few verses denouncing the uselessness of man-made idols and idol-worship. The psalmist ended with further exhortations to
bless the name of the Lord.
Notice once again that the word "praise" is repeated three times in the very first verse. Any time something is repeated, we should pay particular attention to what is being taught.
And the number three in Scripture is a very significant number, representing theTrinity.
- First, God's people are to praise God simply because He is God and so is worthy of all praise. We should not praise Him merely for His works, or for what He has done for us,
but for who He is, His character and nature. God is love; that is both His character and His nature.
- Secondly, His name is to be praised: the name "YHWH" or "Jehovah" is the special, covenant name of God with His people. His holy name is a privilege, and a blessing for His covenant people.
- And lastly, we want to praise Him for who we are in relationship to Him. Because He has saved us, we are forever His servants, to do His will.
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The priests, those standing in the house of the Lord, are specially mentioned. As spiritual leaders to Israel, they were to lead the people of God in holy worship of Him.
Psalm 135
Praise you the LORD. Praise you the name of the LORD;
praise him, O you servants of the LORD. You that stand
in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of
our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing
praises unto His name; for it is pleasant. For the LORD
has chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar
treasure. For I know that the LORD is great, and that our
Lord is above all gods.
Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did He in heaven,
and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causes
the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He
makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out
of his treasuries. Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both
of man and beast. Who sent signs and wonders into the
midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his
servants. Who struck great nations, and slew mighty kings;
Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all
the kingdoms of Canaan: And gave their land for a heritage,
a heritage unto Israel His people. Your name, O LORD,
endures forever; and your memorial, O LORD, throughout
all generations. For the LORD will judge his people, and
He will have compassion on His servants.
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of
men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not;
eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but
they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
They that make them are like unto them: so is every one
that trusts in them.
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD,
O house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi:
you that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. Blessed
be the LORD out of Zion, who dwells at Jerusalem.
Praise you the LORD.
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Psalm 136 is called the "Great Hallel". This Psalm was sung in the Temple at the three Pilgramage Festivals, where attendence in Jerusalem was mandatory.
The theme echoes that of Psalm 135: God is to be praised! He is to be praised for His creation and providence, for His
deliverance and care of His people, for His righteous judgments on His enemies and the enemies of His people, and especially for His loving kindness and mercy to all.
Notice that the phrase "His mercy endures forever" occurs in every verse. This could
possibly have been sung like a responsive reading, with the
priest saying the first line of each verse, and the people responding with the repeated phrase, almost as an "Amen". This refrain reminds us that all God's acts are done in His infinite mercy and loving-kindness toward His
people; and they all work together for the good of those who love him. (See Romans 8:28)
Psalm 136
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:
for His mercy endures forever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods:
for His mercy endures forever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords:
for His mercy endures forever.
To Him who alone does great wonders:
for His mercy endures forever.
To Him that by wisdom made the heavens:
for His mercy endures forever.
To Him that stretched out the earth above the waters:
for His mercy endures forever.
To Him that made great lights:
for His mercy endures forever:
The sun to rule by day:
for His mercy endures forever:
The moon and stars to
rule by night:
for His mercy endures forever.
To Him that struck Egypt in their firstborn:
for His mercy endures forever:
And brought out Israel from among them:
for His mercy endures forever:
With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm:
for His mercy endures forever.
To Him who divided the Red Sea into parts:
for His mercy endures forever:
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it:
for His mercy endures forever:
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea:
for His mercy endures forever.
To Him who led his people through the wilderness:
for His mercy endures forever.
To Him who struck great kings:
for His mercy endures forever:
And slew
famous kings:
for His mercy endures forever:
Sihon
king of the Amorites:
for his mercy endures forever:
And Og the king of Bashan:
for His mercy endures
forever:
And gave their land for a heritage:
for His
mercy endures forever:
Even a heritage unto Israel
His servant:
for His mercy endures forever.
Who
remembered us in our low estate:
for His mercy
endures forever:
And has redeemed us from our
enemies:
for His mercy endures forever.
Who gives
food to all flesh:
for His mercy endures forever.
O give thanks unto the God of heaven:
for His mercy endures forever.
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