But it is we who will bless the LORD, both now and forevermore. Hallelujah! But it is we who will bless the LORDThis phrase emphasizes the role of the faithful in worshiping and praising God. In the context of ancient Israel, blessing the LORD was a communal activity, often expressed through psalms, hymns, and public worship. The use of "we" indicates a collective responsibility and privilege of the people of God to offer praise. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where they are called to acknowledge His sovereignty and goodness. The act of blessing the LORD is not just verbal but involves a lifestyle of obedience and devotion, as seen throughout the Psalms and the broader Old Testament narrative. both now and forevermore
This phrase underscores the eternal nature of worship and the timeless commitment of God's people to praise Him. The concept of "now" suggests the immediacy and present responsibility of worship, while "forevermore" points to the eternal aspect of God's kingdom and the everlasting praise due to Him. This duality is echoed in other scriptures, such as Revelation 4:8, where the heavenly beings continually worship God. It also reflects the eschatological hope of believers, looking forward to an eternal future with God, as promised in the New Testament. Hallelujah!
The term "Hallelujah" is a transliteration of the Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the LORD." It is a call to worship and an exclamation of joy and reverence. This word is used frequently in the Psalms and is a hallmark of Jewish and Christian liturgical traditions. In the New Testament, particularly in Revelation 19, "Hallelujah" is used in the context of the ultimate victory and celebration of God's reign. It serves as a reminder of the joy and triumph found in God's presence and the fulfillment of His promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. The PsalmistThe author of Psalm 115, traditionally attributed to David or another Israelite leader, who expresses a communal commitment to worship and bless the LORD. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal nature and faithfulness to His people. 3. IsraelThe community of God's chosen people, who are called to bless and praise the LORD. 4. The Assembly of BelieversThe collective group of worshippers, both in ancient Israel and in the contemporary church, who are encouraged to praise God continually. 5. The Eternal TimelineThe concept of worship extending "now and forevermore," indicating the timeless nature of God's praise. Teaching Points The Call to Continuous WorshipAs believers, we are called to bless the LORD at all times, recognizing His sovereignty and goodness in every season of life. The Communal Aspect of PraiseWorship is not just an individual act but a collective expression of faith, uniting believers across time and space. Eternal PerspectiveOur praise is not limited to our earthly existence but extends into eternity, reminding us of the everlasting nature of our relationship with God. The Power of HallelujahThe term "Hallelujah" is a powerful declaration of praise, derived from the Hebrew "halal" (to praise) and "Yah" (a shortened form of Yahweh), encapsulating the essence of worship. Living a Life of PraiseOur daily actions and attitudes should reflect a heart of gratitude and worship, influencing how we interact with others and face life's challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the call to bless the LORD "both now and forevermore" challenge your current understanding of worship? 2. In what ways can you incorporate continual praise into your daily routine, as encouraged by Psalm 115:18 and related scriptures? 3. How does the communal aspect of worship in Psalm 115:18 influence your participation in corporate worship settings? 4. Reflect on a time when praising God in difficult circumstances brought you peace or clarity. How does this experience relate to the teachings of Psalm 115:18? 5. How can the concept of eternal praise shape your perspective on life's temporary challenges and joys? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 34:1This verse emphasizes the continual praise of the LORD, similar to the call in Psalm 115:18 for ongoing worship. Hebrews 13:15Encourages believers to offer a sacrifice of praise to God continually, aligning with the eternal aspect of worship in Psalm 115:18. Revelation 5:13Describes a vision of all creation praising God, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of the call to bless the LORD forevermore. Deuteronomy 6:5Commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength, which is foundational to the act of blessing and praising Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Encourages believers to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances, echoing the spirit of continual praise found in Psalm 115:18. People Aaron, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Age, Bless, Evermore, Forever, Forevermore, Forth, Hallelujah, Henceforth, Jah, Praise, YahDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 115:17-18 5816 consciousness Library The Warning
"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. But he spake exceeding …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. MarkLetter xxxiv. To Marcella.
In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. ("bread of sorrow," v. 2, and "children of the shaken off," A.V. "of the youth," v. 4). Jerome, after lamenting that Origen's notes on the psalm are no longer extant, gives the following explanations: The Hebrew phrase "bread of sorrow" is rendered by the LXX. "bread of idols"; by Aquila, "bread of troubles"; by Symmachus, "bread of misery." Theodotion follows the LXX. So does Origen's Fifth Version. The Sixth …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome Christian Graces.
FAITH. FAITH! Peter saith, faith, in the very trial of it, is much more precious than gold that perisheth. If so, what is the worth or value that is in the grace itself? Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet God will have me an heir …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of Idols a Defection from the True God.
1. God is opposed to idols, that all may know he is the only fit witness to himself. He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. 2. Reasons for this prohibition from Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. The complaint of a heathen. It should put the worshipers of idols to shame. 3. Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The Cherubim and Seraphim show that images are not fit to represent divine mysteries. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. F allen man, though alienated from the life of God, and degraded with respect to many of his propensities and pursuits, to a level with the beasts that perish, is not wholly destitute of kind and compassionate feelings towards his fellow-creatures. While self-interest does not interfere, and the bitter passions …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 The Last Supper
189. On Thursday Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem for the last time. Knowing the temper of the leaders, and the danger of arrest at any time, Jesus was particularly eager to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke xxii. 15), and he sent two of them--Luke names them as Peter and John--to prepare for the supper. In a way which would give no information to such a one as Judas, he directed them carefully how to find the house where a friend would provide them the upper room that was needed …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 115:18 NIVPsalm 115:18 NLTPsalm 115:18 ESVPsalm 115:18 NASBPsalm 115:18 KJV
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