Day 192

Psalm 115-118.  “The Center of Praise”

         You have made it to the middle of the Bible, Psalm 118:8–9 (the 15,587th and 15,588th verses of the 31,174 verses in the Bible). The verses assure us that, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes” (NKJV). That is obvious cause for worship and praise, but there is more.
         Psalm 113-118 are six psalms commonly called the Egyptian Hallel. Hāllel means “praise Yahweh.” Traditionally the Jewish people would sing Psalms 113 and 114 before they ate their Passover meal, and they closed by singing Psalms 115-118.  They were also sung in celebration of several other Jewish holidays.
         These four psalms provide us with numerous reasons to praise God. Charles Spurgeon appreciated the reminders of God’s love for His saints in Psalm 116. Of verse 15 he wrote, “Saints will not die prematurely; they will be immortal until their work is done. When their time comes to die, their deaths will be precious. The Lord watches over their deathbeds, smooths their pillows, sustains their hearts, and receives their souls.”

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?