Ezra 2 is one of those chapters that we normally skip. Genealogies, however, are a feature in the Bible. As God re-gathers His people, we are reminded that there are no nameless people before God. More importantly, in Christ, God gives His children a new name, by which they display His glory.

As promised, after seventy years in exile, the Lord stirs up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia. Cyrus issues a decree and puts it in writing, making provision for the exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Lord's temple. Ezra 1 reminds us that the Lord is always working behind the scenes for the good of His people and the display of His glory.

We conclude our Sing A New Song series in Psalm 148, a psalm exploding with praise! It commands and invites everyone and everything in all creation to praise the Lord. Psalm 148 teaches us that worshipping the Lord fulfills our moral duty as humans, satisfies our deepest light as individuals, and it is made acceptable through Jesus Christ, the deliverer for God’s people.

Psalm 137 begins with remembering the past glory of Zion and the terrible sorrow of its destruction. Yet, these exiles refuse to capitulate to tormenting demands of their captors. Instead they remember their joy found in true worship of God and His ultimate conquest over His enemies. Believers today are reminded that they are in exile, waiting for the return of Jesus, and continue to set their joy on God in true worship.

Psalm 119 has much to teach about the words of God. It is a Psalm celebrating the word and work of God through His instructions in the life of the author. In Sunday’s message we will seek to discover how the psalmist can lead us to truth, knowledge and delight through God’s laws.

Psalm 98 is about rejoicing in the Lord. Like the other enthronement Psalms, it calls on all of creation, both heaven and nature, to sing praises to God, our Creator, King, Savior, and Judge.

Psalm 91 is one of the most hopeful Psalms in the entire Psalter. For the one who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, God promises to protect and to provide for him. Satan used verses 11-12 when he tempted Jesus. By resisting the temptation, Jesus proved that he was in fact the Man spoken of in Psalm 91 as he trampled the head of the Serpent, securing victory for God's people.

Psalm 73 tells the story of a man who falls into sin and is rescued by God. It shows us how important it is to guard our hearts from envy, and it reveals God’s goodness to His people. God is faithful despite the apparent prosperity of the wicked, and He is faithful even when we are surrounded by sin and despair.

One commentator writes that there is, "no sadder prayer in the Psalter." It is unique in this respect. Many of us know someone, or will personally experience sorrow beyond words. Psalm 88 reminds us the deep sorrow is real and painful. Yet, we are also reminded that there is a deeper joy for those in Christ; sorrow does not have the last word.

Psalm 41 ends book one in the Psalter. In this Psalm David recalls the blessed man who is sustained by the Lord while he is weak and in need of help, trusting that God’s promises would not fail and that he would see healing. This all ends in the unceasing praise of the Lord Almighty.