Broken Hallelujahs

Ps 134, 136, & 146 to 150

The “Great Hallel”

Songs of Ascents and of Hallelujahs.

More songs with theories.

Songs of ascent could be used for singing while ascending the stairs of the actual temple.  They could also be used for singing while on pilgrimage to Mt Zion. But, in post exilic use, these songs would be sung on their way back to Jerusalem.   The NIV notes on the last use “They begin with a prayer that evokes the experience of one far from home and beset by barbarians and with a call of praise in the sanctuary.” 

The ups and down of song writing and song singing.  Of going up and coming down.  

In the verses of 2 Chronicles 7:19 and 20 God says, “If you turn away, I will uproot you from this land.  If you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them. Then I will I will uproot Israel from my land which I have give them and I will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name.”  

And the irony here is God’s promise to hear the cry of a people if they find themselves cast out and far from home and that He will find them and bring them home.   A sound track for coming home.  

Multi-purpose travelling and praise songs.  Songs for stories with terrible endings.   But also for home coming. No matter how few.  Or how far.  Songs for the lips of people with their heart set for home. Beset by tragedies and loss and acts of barbarians.  

Ps 146: 1 “Praise the LORD.  O my soul.”   Ps 149:1 “Sing to the LORD a new song. “

I love the notes on these sentences.  

Because it is a “call to praise, directed inward”. Which is a conventional Hebrew way to address oneself. Like a “Note to Self”.   One of those notes I want to plaster on my wall, or hang from my mirror, or set on my windowsill.  Asking for a new song.  A song that comes after the heartbreak for soul healing. 

Ps 146:2 “I will praise the LORD all my life.

I will sing praise to my GOD as long as I live.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

Whose hope is in the LORD his God.

6 the Maker of heaven and earth,

The sea and everything in them-

The LORD, who remains faithful forever

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed

And gives food to the hungry.

9 The LORD…sustains the fatherless and the widow.

Just as He sustains the motherless and the childless and the single parent.  

Ps 147:2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem

He gathers the exiles of Israel

3 He heals the broken-hearted

And binds their wounds.

4 He determines the number of stars

And calls them by name.

6 The LORD sustains the humble

11 The LORD delights in those who fear Him,

Who put their hope in his unfailing love.

12 Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem;

Praise your GOD, O Zion,

13 for he strengthens the bars of your gates

And blesses your people within you.

14 He grants peace to your borders

And satisfies you with the finest wheat.

18 He sends His Word…

Ps 149:1 Sing to the LORD a new song.

His praise in the assembly of the saints

4 For the LORD takes delight in His people

He crowns the humble with Salvation.

5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy in their beds.”

I’m not sure why these readings feel particularly final today.  But it is logical as we move forward with the story of David and Solomon, that we will finish with their praise songs and wisdom words and writings.

We also continue to move forward with Israel’s story and the great adventures and missteps and sadnesses that are ahead.  

The Hallelujah Psalms 147-150 were most likely written after the exile from a place of loss and brokenness. A place where this people lifts her eyes to the hills.  The echoes of the words of Solomon and David, the songs of their childhoods.  The old familiar hymns that they haven’t forgotten.  These songs forged in a place of hope for the restoration promises of God.  A people walking in darkness who have seen a great light.  And so, these people are singing a new song.  A new song for such a new way of walking.   Israelites with their own special flavor of patriotism. 

Praise songs that praise a God so great that He numbers, names, and maps the stars.  He holds the weather, the winds, and all the waters.   Praise songs that praise a God who stoops to hold the weakest and humblest: the ones with no voice and no choice.  The fatherless, the widow, the alien.  The motherless and the single mom.  And He brings and give and satisfies with abundance.   Salvation, redemption and restoration so tangible in the daytime that it evokes songs in the night.  (Ps 149:5)

A God who delights in His People.

At the very tail end is Psalm 150. 

I never realized the structure within this song.  The NIV notes “This final call to praise moves powerfully by stages from place to themes to orchestra to choir.” Did you know that?  

Verse 1 - Where God should be praised

Verse 2 -  Why God should be praised

Verse 3 to 5 -  How God should be praised – with the whole orchestra, with dancing aptly placed in the middle

Verse 6 - Who should praise God – the choir, with articulate expression, celebrates God’s mighty acts and surpassing greatness.

Psalm 150

1 Praise the Lord

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.

² Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.

³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
⁴ praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Even with broken hallelujahs.