Year 1, Week 42, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 42, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Chronicles 29, Psalm 127, 111-115.

Today’s reading brings the Chronicler’s historical account of David to a complete. 1 Chronicles 29 reports some of David’s last words and actions pertaining to his commitment to get his son, Solomon, ready to build the Temple. David reports to Solomon the preparations that he has made: “And David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the LORD God. So I have provided for the house of my God” (1 Chronicles 29:1-2a). David also blesses the LORD for His abundant provision as he prays for Solomon’s efforts concerning the Temple’s construction: “O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own…Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision” (1 Chronicles 29:16,19). Today’s reading also includes six Psalms. Psalm 127 is attributed to Solomon and is a part of the Songs of Ascents collection. Psalms 111-115 have no authorship attributed to them, but they express praise to the LORD as well as call for the praise of the LORD. 

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the strong emphasis upon God’s praise expressed by God’s people: “The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence. But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 115:16-18). Simply put: if we are living, we are to be praising God. David modeled this for us. While alive, David expressed God’s praise: “Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever” (1 Chronicles 29:10). And David called for the praise of God: “Then David said to all the assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and paid homage to the LORD and to the king” (1 Chronicles 29:20). Then David died: “Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place” (2 Chronicles 29:26-28). In his father’s place, Solomon declares reasons for the LORD to be praised: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5). Solomon blessed the LORD as he acknowledged the blessings that came from the LORD.

The reasons for praising the LORD, when acknowledged and declared, are the exact means of praising the LORD. The LORD is praised when the kind of God that He is, is verbalized: “the LORD is gracious and merciful” (Psalm 111:4b); “he is gracious, merciful, and righteous” (Psalm 112:4b); “his righteousness endures forever” (Psalm 112:9b); “The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high” (Psalm 113:4-5); “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:2); and “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield” (Psalm 115:11). When the characteristics and attributes of God are proclaimed, these words are the very medium of expressing praise to the LORD: “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

The LORD is also praised when the actions that God does, is verbalized: “Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:12-13). The Psalms in today’s reading, which call for the praise of God, contain praise that is befitting of God: “Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work…He provides food for those who fear him…He sent redemption to his people…He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children” (Psalm 111:2-3a,5a,9a; Psalm 113:7-9). It is a gift from the LORD that He enables His people to remember His works: “He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered” (Psalm 111:4); and “O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you” (1 Chronicles 29:18). And it is also an appropriate time to state praise to the LORD: "Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!” (Psalm 113:2-3). May our hearts join in and say, "Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe