Psalms 146, 147, 148, 149, and 150: The Concluding Doxology of the Hebrew Psalter

READING THE BOOK OF PSALMS

PART LXXXII

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Psalms 146, 147, 148, 149, and 150

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Psalms 146-150 constitute the concluding doxology of the Hebrew Psalter.  Pulling these texts together, a partial list of statements about God emerges:

1. God heals, restores, and delivers individuals and communities.
2. God, the Creator, is evident in nature and history.
3. Nature itself praises God.
4. God is universal and sovereign.
5. God, who grants military victory, punishes the wicked.

These themes recur in the Hebrew Psalter, from Psalm 1 to Psalm 145.  Rather than repeat many comments from previous posts in this series, I prefer to focus on a point that has become prominent in my theology and prayers.  This is also a point about which I have written in this series.  Some repetition is inevitable in this series.

I grew up learning about sin.  It seemed abstract to me for a long time.  The sins about which I learned were mostly personal peccadilloes; collective, institutional sins received less attention.  As I aged and read more deeply, I began to focus less on personal peccadilloes (without ignoring them) and to focus more on collective, institutional sins.  My inner Reinhold Niebuhr asserted itself.  Later, I incorporated sin and repentance into my concept of “God’s best.”  I came to think of congregations, communities, et cetera enjoying God’s best for them, and to pray that God’s best for them would be their reality.  So, repentance and amendment of life are not mostly about angering or grieving God, lest punishment ensue.  No, repentance and amendment of life are mostly about responding faithfully to God in love, awe, and loyalty, and growing into full potential in God.  “God’s best” is shalom–complete well-being.

Thank you, O reader, for joining me on this journey through the Book of Psalms.  As we take leave of each other, I wish you shalom.  May you and yours grow into your full potential in God.  May God’s best for you–both individually and in community–become your reality.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 COMMON ERA

THE FOURTH DAY OF LENT

THE FEAST OF SAINT GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS THE ELDER, SAINT NONNA, AND THEIR CHILDREN: SAINTS GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS THE YOUNGER, CAESARIUS OF NAZIANZUS, AND GORGONIA OF NAZIANZUS

THE FEAST OF BERNHARDT SEVERIN INGEMANN, DANISH LUTHERAN AUTHOR AND HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF SAINT FELIX VARELA, CUBAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND PATRIOT

THE FEAST OF JOHN ROBERTS, EPISCOPAL MISSIONARY TO THE SHOSHONE AND ARAPAHOE

THE FEAST OF KARL FRIEDRICH LOCHNER, GERMAN LUTHERAN MINISTER AND HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF THEODOR FLIENDER, RENEWER OF THE FEMALE DIACONATE; AND ELIZABETH FEDDE, NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN DEACONESS

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