God’s Word For Today Gospel Light Filipino

Text: Psalm 148:1-14 (ESV)

 

1 Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

2 Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his hosts!

3 Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD!

For he commanded and they were created.

6 And he established them forever and ever;

he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and mist,

stormy wind fulfilling his word!

9 Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

10 Beasts and all livestock,

creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

12 Young men and maidens together,

old men and children!

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,

for his name alone is exalted;

his majesty is above earth and heaven.

14 He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to him.

Praise the LORD!

 

LET ALL PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD

 

All creation displays the wonders of God. Thereby, every created thing should praise him.

Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

2 Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his hosts!

3 Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD!

 

What is the reason behind?[v.5a-6]

For he commanded and they were created.

6 And he established them forever and ever;

he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

 

Creatures including the angelic beings and all the beasts of the earth should praise him. From the farthest regions of outer space to the depths of the sea, his name should be praised (v.7-10).

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and mist,

stormy wind fulfilling his word!

9 Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

10 Beasts and all livestock,

creeping things and flying birds!

 

Above all, human beings in particular should praise him. Without distinction of age or rank, the people of the world should exalt God. They should praise him not only because he is the sovereign Lord of the universe, but also because through Israel he has made himself known to them (11-14).

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

12 Young men and maidens together,

old men and children!

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,

for his name alone is exalted;

his majesty is above earth and heaven.

14 He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to him.

Praise the LORD!

 

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Please read the text: Psalm 147:1-20 (ESV)

 

IT IS GOOD TO SING PRAISES TO OUR GOD

 

God’s people should praise him constantly. It’s pleasant and befitting. (v.1-2),

Praise the LORD!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

 

God’s care extends over to those who are sorrowing and humble as He takes care His creation intimatetly through His power (v.3-6).

3 He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

4 He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.

6 The LORD lifts up the humble;

he casts the wicked to the ground.

 

God delights to sustain creation and provide for the physical needs of his creatures (v.7-9).

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;

make melody to our God on the lyre!

8 He covers the heavens with clouds;

he prepares rain for the earth;

he makes grass grow on the hills.

9 He gives to the beasts their food,

and to the young ravens that cry.

 

But of all his creatures, He does not delight in those who are proud but toward those who humbly trust in his steadfast love (v.10-11).

10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,

nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,

in those who hope in his steadfast love.

 

That is why he delights in Israel above other nations. He protects his people and gives them food to enjoy (v.12-14).

12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;

he blesses your children within you.

14 He makes peace in your borders;

he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

 

He sends them a tough winter weather to make them tough in order to endure hardship. After the winter, He sends them pleasant weather to remind them of His continual care(v.15-18).

15 He sends out his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

16 He gives snow like wool;

he scatters frost like ashes.

17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;

who can stand before his cold?

18 He sends out his word, and melts them;

he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.

 

Most importantly, He has given them his word. Through His word, they can know him better and as a result bring him further joy. (v.19-20).

19 He declares his word to Jacob,

his statutes and rules to Israel.

20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation;

they do not know his rules.

Praise the LORD!

 

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Psa 146:1-10 ESV



1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!

2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;

8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!



-Psa 146:1-10 ESV



THE LORD WILL REIGN FOREVER



No matter how stable people may appear to be, they can never be fully relied upon. They do not have unlimited power and their lives may be cut short at any time (v.1-4).

1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!

2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.



God, on the other hand, can be relied upon, for he is the all-powerful Creator and his life never ends (v.5-6).

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;



Also, he has special care for those suffering from poverty, injustice, physical handicaps and social insecurity (v.7-10).

7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;

8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Text: Psa 145:1-21 ESV



1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.

2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.

7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!

11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,

12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]

14 The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.

16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.



-Psa 145:1-21 ESV



GREAT IS THE LORD, AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!



The last 6 chapters of the book of Psalms are six hymns of general praise.



This psalm [chap 145] is David’s ‘Song of Praise’ and is an acrostic. Whereas, he other five have no titles. Notedly, each begins and ends with the words ‘Praise the Lord’.



God’s greatness is unsearchable. Thus, He is worthy to be the object of people’s praise, day and night, for ever and ever (v.1-3).



Those who know God’s greatness should meditate upon it and proclaim it to the next generations.(v.4-7).



He is full of goodness too, showing His covenant faithfulness to his people and gracious love to all people (v.8-9).



Those who have experienced his love should show their gratitude by praising him and telling others of his mighty works. In this way they will help spread his rule to the lives of others (10-13a).



His generosity and graciousness are always available to all his creatures (13b-16).

[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]

14 The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.

16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.



He is always on the side of those who call upon him, honour him and love him. But he is against those who in their sin reject the offer of his mercy (17-20).

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.



All creation, and most specially His people, should bring him continual praise (v.21).

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

God’s Word for Today

2 May 2024



-Psa 144:1-15 ESV



BLESSED ARE THE PEOPLE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD!



Most of the verses in this psalm are found in some other parts of the book, especially Psa 18. David praised God for granting victory in past battles and requested success in a present military encounter with an enemy. He was confident that God would save His people. This is used by the king on a special occasion of national celebration.



Israel’s king praises the almighty God for his continual protection and deliverance over their enemies. And, he is confident that He is still his present refuge (v.1-2). 

Blessed be the LORD, my rock,

    who trains my hands for war,

    and my fingers for battle;

2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress,

    my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and he in whom I take refuge,

    who subdues peoples under me.



As he thinks much deeper, the king praises God for his concern for the human race. How could God be interested to insignificant and weak creatures (v.3-4). 

3 O LORD, what is man that you regard him,

    or the son of man that you think of him?

4 Man is like a breath;

    his days are like a passing shadow.



Since God has saved his people in the past, they are confident in God to save them in present and future crises (v.5-8). 

5 Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down!

    Touch the mountains so that they smoke!

6 Flash forth the lightning and scatter them;

    send out your arrows and rout them!

7 Stretch out your hand from on high;

    rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,

    from the hand of foreigners,

8 whose mouths speak lies

    and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.



Hence he is favored of God’s victories, the king will praise and worship. He concluded with expressions of his continued trust in God as his deliverer alone (v.9-11).

9 I will sing a new song to you, O God;

    upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,

10 who gives victory to kings,

    who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.

11 Rescue me and deliver me

    from the hand of foreigners,

whose mouths speak lies

    and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.



Projecting his thoughts to the future, the king prays that the nation will enter a renewed life and joy of God’s blessings. (12-15).

12 May our sons in their youth

    be like plants full grown,

our daughters like corner pillars

    cut for the structure of a palace;

13 may our granaries be full,

    providing all kinds of produce;

may our sheep bring forth thousands

    and ten thousands in our fields;

14 may our cattle be heavy with young,

    suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;

may there be no cry of distress in our streets!

15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!

    Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!

There is security and prosperity where families will grow and flourish, fields and flocks will be fruitful, and that people will enjoy peace and contentment. However,  he warns them such blessings are given only if they maintain their loyalty to God.



Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast  

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible

Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio



#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofPsalms

God’s Word for Today

1 May 2024



Hear my prayer, O LORD;

    give ear to my pleas for mercy!

    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

2 Enter not into judgment with your servant,

    for no one living is righteous before you.

3 For the enemy has pursued my soul;

    he has crushed my life to the ground;

    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.

4 Therefore my spirit faints within me;

    my heart within me is appalled.

5 I remember the days of old;

    I meditate on all that you have done;

    I ponder the work of your hands.

6 I stretch out my hands to you;

    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

7 Answer me quickly, O LORD!

    My spirit fails!

Hide not your face from me,

    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

    for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

    for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!

    I have fled to you for refuge.

10 Teach me to do your will,

    for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me

    on level ground!

11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life!

    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,

    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,

    for I am your servant.



-Psa 143:1-12 ESV



YOU ARE MY REFUGE



David knows that he is a sinner like others. There is no way of escaping God’s punishment of sin.  God is righteous. Perhaps, he was thinking that God might be using the enemy to punish him for his sins. There were not so much options. He therefore casts himself entirely upon the mercy of God(v.1-2). 

Hear my prayer, O LORD;

    give ear to my pleas for mercy!

    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

2 Enter not into judgment with your servant,

    for no one living is righteous before you.



David expressed his troubles as to how he has been pursued and was forced to hide under the shadow of darkness in the cave (v.3-4). 

3 For the enemy has pursued my soul;

    he has crushed my life to the ground;

    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.

4 Therefore my spirit faints within me;

    my heart within me is appalled.



But, he remembers God’s mighty deeds in the past. And, he prays that God will deliver him once more. (5-6). 

5 I remember the days of old;

    I meditate on all that you have done;

    I ponder the work of your hands.

6 I stretch out my hands to you;

    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah



He fears himself to languish in hopelessness as those who die without God. He longs for a fresh experience of God’s steadfast love. (v.7-8). 

7 Answer me quickly, O LORD!

    My spirit fails!

Hide not your face from me,

    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

    for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

    for to you I lift up my soul.



He prays that God, having rescued him, will instruct and guide him in the future (v.9-12). His petition of deliverance is for his desire to fulfill God’s desire.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD!

    I have fled to you for refuge.

10 Teach me to do your will,

    for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me

    on level ground!

11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life!

    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,

    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,

    for I am your servant.



Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast  

Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify 

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast 

Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast

Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glc