Hallelujah: The Hallel Psalms: Psalms 113-118

 

Hallelujah: The Hallel Psalms: Psalms 113-118

Introduction:

This Sunday is the Jewish Passover and I thought it would be appropriate to take the occasion and talk not just about the Passover but about the celebration of the Passover. We are also going to recognize the Passover later this afternoon by observing the Lord’s Supper which for Christians replaced or, perhaps we should say, fulfilled the Passover.  So, lets take some time the morning to learn and appreciate the Passover, how it was observed, and especially the use of designated Psalms during the observance of the Passover.

Those Psalms are the 113th through the 118th. They are known as the Hallel Psalms, we would call them the Hallelujah or Praise Ye The Lord Psalms.  These scriptures were used then and are still used today by the Jewish people during the Holy Day / Sabbath feasts and festivals, especially the family observations of Passover.

Lets begin by reminding ourselves of the reason for the celebration, the remembrance of the Passover. The first Passover is found in Exodus 12.

The First Passover - Exodus 12:3-12

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: … 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. …11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

This Day A Memorial

We are pretty familiar with this story. On the night of the 10th and last plague of Egypt the Death Angel passed over the homes of Egypt and those homes which were marked with the blood of a lamb upon the lintel and the side posts of the door would be spared the terrible consequence of the death of a firstborn in every house.  This was the horrific consequence and terrible judgment of God upon those who did not believe and refused to obey the true God

On that same night the Hebrew slaves were told to gird up their loins have their shoes on their feet and be prepared to leave. Before they left, they were to eat the Passover meal which would commemorate from that time forward the deliverance of Israel from the death and slavery of Egypt.

Each family would take an unblemished lamb, slay it, collect the blood and put it upon the doorposts and lintel, then they would eat the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Centuries later, after Israel returned to their land from their first captivity in Babylon and Persia, the Passover was observed with more ceremony because it now represented not just the deliverance from Egypt but also their return to Jerusalem. When the Temple and city was rebuilt by Ezra, Nehemiah, Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, they celebrated with a new Psalms, Psalms 118. Later, this Psalms was incorporated into the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. As the some of pilgrims would come into Jerusalem, they would join in a procession bringing their lambs to the Temple to be sacrificed. As they approached the Temple mount, they would sing the 118th Psalms.

Psalms 113-118 the Hallel Psalms

The History of the Hallel Psalms

The Jews have been saying some kind of Hallel since the time of Moses, then David adapted it to the service of the Levites in the Temple and finally after the return from captivity it is all gathered together in Psalms 113-118.

If any part of the book of Psalms may be considered more sacred than any another, especially to the Jewish people, it would probably be these six psalms from Psalms 113 to 118, which rabbinical literature refers to as “The Hallel” or sometimes “the Egyptian Hallel” while Psalms 120-136 and especially Psalms 136 is referred to as the Great Hallel in which every verse exhorts the reader to Psalms 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

At Passover and other feasts and Holy Days, these Hallel Psalms were sung, emphasizing the word that word Hallelujah over and over. Translated the word is, as we read in our English translations, Praise The Lord.

Psalm 117 and 118, that we are looking at today, lay out the sacrificial offerings of Passover in song form.  Psalm 117, which is the shortest of all the Psalms, is an introduction to Psalms 118.

Psalms 117

Psalms 117 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

The first thing we notice in Ps 117 is that it is a call for the universal praise to God from all nations. It stands out because it for all peoples and nations to praise the Lord God for his merciful kindness. This is the OT world for grace, the undeserved love and favor of God. Psalms 117 exhorts all people to praise God for His grace is great and His truth endures forever.

Secondly, we notice in Psalms 117:1 That we have two words for praise. This doesn’t stand out in English but it is plain in Hebrew. The first “praise” is the Hebrew word hallel from which we derive our word, “hallelujah” which means, “praise the Lord.” This praise has the idea of praising upward toward God. The second “praise” however is a different Hebrew word,  shavah. This word also has the idea of praise, but our praise is directed outward towards others. It means “to boast, to extol,  to laud.” Taking these together it means thanking God and then telling others. And what do we tell them about God? It’s here in vs 1. We praise God for his merciful kindness, His grace, is great toward us, and His unfailing truth endures for ever. So, what you think of those two things, what else can you do but shout a Hallelujah, Praise the Lord just like Psalms 117 does at it ends.

As 117 ends and begins in Hallelujah. Psalms 118 continues the theme. In some older manuscripts Psalms 117 and 118 were put together as on Psalms and you can see why. The theme of praise runs through both and the same theme is found in all the Hallel Psalms.

Now go to Psalms 118

Psalm 118 – Singing The Festival Psalm at Passover

A Psalm of Procession and Profession

Psalm 118 is a Psalm of procession as those who are sacrificing the Passover lamb climb the hill up to Jerusalem and then into the Temple itself. As they march into the city, the profess their faith in God and sing His praise.

In the first verse the Levite who is leading the procession is call to the different people coming up the hill sing.  Each of them then answers by echoing him with their own line:

Let’s do something different this Passover Sunday. Lets wake everyone up by having some simple congregational participation, what used to be called congregational scripture reading. Never done this before, probably never again, unless a revival breaks out. But lets give it a try, I’m going to act as the Levite who would lead the procession and you are going to act as pilgrims marching into Jerusalem with your sacrificial lambs. I’ll read my verses and then I’ll look to you to read yours in unision, out loud, everybody. If anyone is asleep give ‘em a nudge and tell them to join in. Ready? I’m not sure I am but lets do it anyway. I’ll start in vs. 1 and you echo or read what is in parenthesis here on the screen or from you Bible when its time.

“Psalms 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Then he says, Psalms 118:2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. (“His mercy endureth forever)

Psalms 118:3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. (“His mercy endureth forever.)

Psalms 118:4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. (“His mercy endureth forever!”)

After each group had responded to their call by praising the Lord, all the pilgrims would now begin to make their way up the hill toward Jerusalem and they would begin to sing of all the ways God has delivered them.

Psalms 118:5-14 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?  7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. 11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

Then the song changes. After the last line declares that Jehovah Himself has become their salvation, they can begin to hear the songs of the people within the walls of Jerusalem.

They acknowledge what they hear, in Psalms 118:15 Read vs 15 with me, The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

Now we hear the Psalms being song by both those in the procession and the choirs inside the city gate as they continue praising God for His deliverance by the power of his right hand. Psalms 118:16-18 (Choir inside) The right hand of the LORD is exalted: (Procession outside) the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. (Choir inside) 17 I shall not die, but live, (Procession outside) and declare the works of the LORD. (Choir inside) 18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: (Procession outside) but he hath not given me over unto death.

All these calls and responses have been between singers without and those within but now the pilgrims have reached the gate of the city and the choir leader calls out to the guards at the gate, Psalms 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: Then The guards reply: Psalms 118:20 This is gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.

The pilgrims now enter in and as they enter the temple grounds they sing out, “Psalms 118:21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

As they march along the road to the Temple they see the stones of the city and soon the stones of the Temple and they sing: Psalms 118:22-24 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.  24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

To the ancient pilgrims this may have been a metaphor for Israel returning and rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. But we know that this is a Messianic prophecy which referred to Jesus their Messiah who would be rejected but one day, on that day which the LORD will have made, He will return and be seen by all as the chief cornerstone, the capstone, of all of God’s plan to save Israel and mankind.

This last line announced why they have come, to celebrate the deliverance of the Lord and now they enter the courtyard of the Temple and cry to the Lord to keep giving them his unending mercy, grace and blessings, Psalms 118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

The Levitical priests in the Temple choir now call out in welcome, Psalms 118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

The pilgrims reply to the priests and give them their animal to be sacrificed: Psalms 118:27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

As the animal is being sacrificed the choir leader then praises the Lord: Psalms 118:28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

Finally, the choir leader turns to all those assembled in the Temple grounds and they all bring the song back to its beginning by together singing, Psalms 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever!”

The Greatest Passover

The Passover In Jesus Day

About 18,000 lambs were sacrificed in the Temple on Passover. The rest of the lambs were slaughtered and dressed in the home without a trip to the Temple grounds. Since there were between 1 and 2 ½ million people in Jerusalem and the surrounding area for Passover there could be no way to sacrifice the number of lambs that would be needed for each family. The last Passover that Jesus observed before His death seems to be one done at the home of the people He and the apostles were staying with. There is no record of them walking in the procession to the Temple from outside the city. But they would still sing the Hallel Psalms finishing with Psalms 118.

You can only imagine what the Day of Passover must have been like in Jerusalem in the days of Jesus ministry.  Millions of people coming to the city, the feast of unleavened bread starting 7 days earlier so a whole week plus one day of feasting, singing and praising the Lord for the long ago deliverance from Egypt and for the return from Babylonian captivity. Now in Jesus days they prayed as they offered their Passover lambs and ate the Paschal meal, for a new deliverance. Deliverance from the Romans who were now their overlords and masters.

The Last Passover

One Passover though stands out above and beyond all others that went before it since that first Passover in Egypt, it is the Passover week that began when Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a Donkey’s colt as it was prophesied by the prophet, Zechariah in chapter 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Let’s imagine that day if we can.

For a over 3 years, the rumors have flown throughout Judeah about Jesus of Nazareth. Many claimed to have seen him perform incredible miracles. They say He had healed the sick, given sight to the blind, caused the deaf to hear, the lame to walk and even brought the dead back to life. His apostles and disciples proclaimed Him the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. He was the Messiah, the anointed prince of peace, the son of David who would rule and reign, seated upon a throne in Jerusalem, the city of King David.

Then at the beginning of that last week the people are preparing for the Passover that would take place on the 15th of day of the month, about 5 days before the Passover meal is to be observed and there is a sound of voices calling out and singing coming from outside the walls of Jerusalem. No this is not the procession to the Temple, it is too early, but something different is happening, not at all part of the traditional observations but something more, more exciting, more moving and there is a sense of watching history being made this Passover.

The voices come closer and those inside the city walls hear what they now realize are shouts of praise. We read from Matthew’s Gospel, Matthew 21:8-9 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Luke writes, Luke 19:37-40 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

All of Jerusalem is praising their coming king, calling out “Hosanna, Save us,” to the son of David, the Messiah, their finally coming King. So powerful is the praise and the truth they are proclaiming that Jesus says tells the Pharisees who want it to stop, “If you could make them be silent then even the rocks of Jerusalem would break out in praise.“

The disciples and people take off their cloaks and lay down palm branches to smooth his way and they praise Him with words from the Hallel, Psalms 118:25-26 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.  26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD.

Closer to the Hebrew it would sound like this, Psalm 118:25–26 (TLV) 25 Hoshia-na! Please, Adonai, save now! We beseech You, Adonai, prosper us! 26 Baruch haba b’Shem Adonai— Blessed is He who comes in the Name of Adonai.

They cried out for their Messiah to deliver them, save them physically as a nation from their Roman conquerors. But they were calling out for the wrong deliverance. One day Messiah will come and deliver Israel from the false Messiah, from the anti-Christ but in this time, He comes to save them from something much more oppressive and deadly than a pagan nation.

Jesus, the Christ was also Jesus of Calvary. Jesus, the seer was also Jesus the Savior, Jesus the rabbi, was also Jesus the redeemer, Jesus the son of Mary was also Jesus the Son of God, Jesus who gave life to Lazarus was also Jesus who would lay down His life for sin. Jesus was the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world, and that eternal salvation, that eternal deliverance was much greater than the deliverance that so many in Israel that day were looking for.

The Hallel Psalms Today

Today the Hallel Psalms 113–118 are still sung at the in millions of Jewish homes at Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles and many other Holy Days. At Passover Psalms 113–114 are sung before the meal, and Psalms 115–118 are sung after the meal.

When they come to Psalms 118:22-24, they read, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

They read it but they don’t recognize it is speaking of their Messiah who already has come. He is the rejected stone that their forefathers, the builders that rejected. And so they miss the miracle of vs 23, “This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvellous in our eyes.” They miss the day of their own personal salvation when they see Jesus as Savior. Then vs. 24, would have such meaning and fulfillment to them, “This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Our Own Day of the Lord

That day is yet to come for the nation Israel, but I can’t help but wonder how many of us have also missed our own day that the Lord has made. The day when we truly see Jesus and in Him we find  our salvation from sin, that day of rejoicing because we realize that forgiveness, reconciliation, and the washing away of our sin accomplished in the Lord. It is Christ’s work in us and it is truly a marvel, a miracle when we see it happen to us.

You may think like the Jews of Jesus time that you have it pretty much figured out, who Jesus is, what Jesus did and how Jesus fits into your life. But if you don’t see him as Lord and Savior, if you don’t see Him as the One who died to pay your ransom by his own shed blood then you won’t cry out, “Hosanna, Please Lord, save me now.”

Conclusion

Less than 40 years from the Triumphal entry and a few days later the crucifixion, Jerusalem will be destroyed by the Romans when the Jews revolt. The city that once echoes with the joyous praise of Psalms 118 would now be filled with the cries of suffering families. Husbands, wives, children are being killed or captured and then made into slaves. The Temple where the Paschal lambs were slain was torn down until not a stone remained sitting atop another stone. The first part of the prophecy of Psalms 118 was fulfilled and the stone had been rejected but now there was no stone left and the Temple was gone and has not been rebuilt to this day.

But the wails of anguish and the cries of grief that day when the Temple was torn down will be mere whispers compared to the sound of those who reject Jesus as their savior. The Bible tells us that those who don’t see Jesus as savior will be judged for all eternity. Jesus said there will be weeping, mourning and the gnashing of teeth in pain. Revelation 14:11 says, And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night..

But do you remember where we started, do you remember Psalms 117 and its invitation to all, to come and praise the Lord. Lets finish today by returning to that invitation for it has stood open from the time of Ezra and even before.

Psalms 117 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

That is what I want to experience for all eternity, not the Lake of Fire but the Love of God, not the cries of pain but the calls of praise for God’s tender mercy, this loving kindness, His grace that saved my soul. Hallelujah, Praise the Lord.