musicians for use in a public service. FAITH FULLY FIT Selah occurs 71 times in 39 different psalms, Saturday: Psalms 144-150 (continued) mostly in the first three books. It occurs within My Spiritual Fitness Goals for this week: Psalms as a marker of some sort of interlude. Psalm 150:3-5 - On the various musical instru- Sometimes it occurs where there is a sharp break in ments listed here, see The People’s Bible, Weekly Spiritual the thought, but at other times it appears in the Psalms 1–72, pages 35-38. There is no evidence middle of a thought. In rare cases it appears at the that dancing was done in the worship at the temple end of a psalm. Apparently it is a musical notation, or the tabernacle; rather, dancing was a natural Fitness Plan but its meaning remains obscure. It is believed to part of festive processions, such as when David be derived from a Hebrew word meaning to “lift brought the ark to Jerusalem. See 2 Samuel 6:14. up” or from one meaning to “be quiet.” Suggested interpretations include (1) an instrumental inter- Introduction & Background lude between vocal sections of the psalm, (2) a to this week’s readings: pause, (3) an increase in the loudness of the music, (4) a sign to divide the hymn into sections, (5) an Introduction to the Book of Psalms - Part 5 emphatic interjection like “amen,” or (6) a repeat sign like da capo. The first suggestion seems most Music in the Psalms: The exhortations in the likely . psalms to sing to the Lord, the presence of musical terms in the psalm headings, the descriptions of Musical Instruments of the Psalms: the liturgical use of the psalms recorded in the his- torical books, and the traditional use of the psalms in the synagogue and church all make it obvious that the psalms are hymns that were written to be sung to the accompaniment of musical instru- ments. Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing how the music of the psalms originally sounded. In the presentation of the psalms in the temple, the vocal music was considered to be more impor- tant than the instrumental accompaniment, be- cause the message conveyed by the words was Week 48 - Psalm 119-150 most important. according to rabbinic tradition, the temple singing was done antiphonally, or respon- sively. There were three main forms of responsive singing in the temple: (1) The first choir sang a line of the psalm, and the second choir responded with a refrain that was repeated throughout the psalm. Psalm 136 is an example of this style. (2) The first choir sang a line, and the second choir echoed it. (3) The two choirs sang alternate lines of the psalm, the way we usually sing the responsive reading of the psalms today. Musical Directions in the Psalms: Fifty-five psalms Most of the questions and answers on the “Weekly Spiritual Fitness Plan” come from “The Whole Bible Project” Bible studies. Background and carry the heading “For the director of music.” This Introduction information come from “The People’s Bible” commentary title appears to designate psalms that were handed series and from “Book of Books,” both published by NPH. over to the chief of the tabernacle or to the temple Monday: Psalm 119 Monday: Psalm 119 (continued) Friday: Psalms 138-143 (continued) Saturday: Psalms 144-150 (continued) Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm. In most acrostics, Verses 113-120—The Hebrew letter Samekh—“S” Psalm 143 - This is one of the seven penitential Psalm 148 - This psalm has a chiastic arrange- each line of Hebrew poetry begins with a different Verses 121-128—The Hebrew letter Ayin—“Y” psalms; the others are 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 130. ment. This means that it begins with theme A, con- letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this psalm, how- Verses 129-136—The Hebrew letter Pe—“P” However, in this psalm the penitential portion is tinues to theme B, repeats theme B, and returns to ever, there are 26 sections of eight verses each. All Verses 137-144—The Hebrew letter Tsadhe—“Ts” small. theme A. This psalm first addresses rational crea- eight lines of poetry in each section begin with the Verses 145-152—The Hebrew letter Qoph—“Q” tures in heaven, the angels, and tells them to praise same Hebrew letter, beginning with the first letter Verses 153-160—The Hebrew letter Resh—“R” God. Then it addresses inanimate creatures in and continuing to the last. Verses 161-168—The Hebrew letter Sin/Shin—“S/ heaven, the stars. It next addresses inanimate crea- There are five major themes in this psalm. (For Sh” tures on earth, like lightning and mountains. Fi- more information, see The People’s Bible, Psalms Verses 169-176—The Hebrew letter Taw—“T” Saturday: Psalms 144-150 nally, it returns to rational creatures on earth, like 73–150, page 195.) kings, and encourages them to praise God. Psalm 145 Heading - This is the only psalm labeled “a psalm of praise,” from which the book of psalms 148:4 - “Waters above the skies”—See Genesis 1. God’s Word rebukes, corrects, and condemns. Tuesday: Psalms 120-125 takes it name. This is an acrostic, or alphabetic, 1:7; 7:11. But it also gives life. psalm (see The People’s Bible, Psalms 1–72, page 2. The characteristics of the Word: righteous, Psalms 120–133 are a unit. They are called songs of 28). Psalm 149:1 - “A new song”—At various places, dependable, unshakeable, limitless. ascent. In Psalm 120, the pilgrim begins his journey the Lord encourages us to sing a new song. This 145:8 - This is one of the many repetitions of the 3. Our attitude toward the Word, characterized surrounded by enemies. In Psalm 133, he finishes new song is not like the latest piece being played Lord’s beautiful words to Moses in Exodus 34:6. by such words as delight and love. his journey surrounded by his brothers and sisters on the radio. Rather, it contains an eternal, ever- 4. The blessings of God’s Word. For example, it in the faith. The priests sang these psalms as they present newness. Apart from God’s promises and Psalm 146:1 Psalms 146–150 are labeled the gives life, freedom, light, and stability. ascended the temple steps; pilgrims sang them as our Savior, our song can only be one of work- “Hallelujah Psalms” or “Praise the Lord” psalms. 5. Opposition from enemies of the Word and the they went up to Jerusalem for festivals; the exiles righteousness, despair, and visions of hell. But the The word Hallelujah (not Alleluia) also occurs in psalmist’s attitude toward them. sang them when they returned to Israel. The new song we sing in Christ (that the Old Testament Revelation 19:1,3,4,6. psalmist draws our thoughts upward as we ap- believers could sing by faith in God’s promises) is a One or more themes may predominate in a section. proach the Lord. 146:9 - “The alien”—This refers to non-Jewish song of compassion, forgiveness, and visions of In this study of Psalm 119, we will think about one people living in the Promised Land. The Lord cared eternal life in heaven. Verses 4 and 5 explain the or two verses from each section. You may wish to 120:4 “Broom tree”—The broom tree is a shrubby for them, just as he cared for his own people. The nature of this new song. focus on others. As you read through the psalm, desert plant, giving sparse shade. However, its Lord’s command to the Israelites not to have any- 149:3 - Some churches have incorporated liturgi- you might try to label each verse with the number stock and roots burned well and so were used for thing to do with the nations around them did not cal dance into their worship services. There is no of one of the themes above. fuel. apply to the many who gave up their idols to wor- evidence, however, that dancing was done in wor- ship God. Think of Ruth. Verses 1-8—The Hebrew letter Aleph—“A” 120:5 “Meshech . Kedar”—Meshech is in mod- ship either at the tabernacle or the temple. Rather, Verses 9-16—The Hebrew letter Beth—“B” ern Turkey (far to the north of Israel). Kedar is in 146:10 - “The LORD reigns forever.” The Lord rules dancing was a natural part of festive processions, Verses 17-24—The Hebrew letter Gimel—“G” Arabia, to the southeast. These two places repre- over all things. Yet the main focus of his reign is the such as when David brought the ark to Jerusalem. Verses 25-32—The Hebrew letter Daleth—“D” sent the unbelieving world, where the believer people he has gathered for himself. His kingdom is See 2 Samuel 6:14. a kingdom of mercy in Christ. He extends his reign Verses 33-40—The Hebrew letter He—“H” finds himself when he starts his journey to worship 149:5-9 - This psalm speaks about how the believ- through his Word of grace, and people become his Verses 41-48—The Hebrew letter Waw—“V” the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem. ers are punishing the unbelievers. On the impreca- willing subjects when they believe in his mercy. Verses 49-56—The Hebrew letter Zayin—“Z” tory psalms, see The People’s Bible, Psalms 1–72, Verses 57-64—The Hebrew letter Cheth—“Ch,” as In Psalm 120 the pilgrim begins his journey sur- pages 11-14.