Precepts Audio

PA552 Psalm 136:1-137:9 mp3

In this message, we consider Psalm 136, a great psalm of thanksgiving to Yahweh. Thanks is given in light of His power in creation, His rescuing of the people of Israel from Egypt, His power in causing them to conquer Canaan and take over the land, and the fact that He was still with them in trouble to help them. In Psalm 137, we have a psalm of Judean exiles to Babylon during the conquest by Assyria of many of the cities of Judah before Yehovah gave them the victory when He destroyed the Assyrian army before Jerusalem and they had to return home defeated, which allowed the exiles to go back to their land. The one-time exile remembers sorrowing in Babylon, and wishes blessings upon Jerusalem and destruction upon Babylon for their treatment of them.

PA551 Psalm 135:1-21 mp3

In this psalm, we continue the series of Hallelujah psalms from Psalm 117. Probably by Hezekiah, it follows up on his “Psalms of the Degrees,” and begins a series of psalms used for Temple worship. Those in the house of the Yehovah are called on to praise Him. He brings the rain, He defeated Egypt before Israel, and He defeated the nations of Canaan. He is in great contrast to idols, who are carved with human organs of sense and yet cannot sense anything. All Israel in their various parts are called on to praise Yahweh, Who makes His dwelling in Jerusalem.

PA550 Psalm 132:1-134:3 mp3

Concluding the psalms of the degrees, that series of fifteen songs written or dedicated by Hezekiah to that time when he nearly died, but the LORD graciously added fifteen years to his life, a sign of which was the shadow moving backwards ten degrees on his father’s sundial. In Psalm 132, Hezekiah calls on Jehovah to remember David, both his words and the promises of Jehovah to him, and calls on him to remember this and spare David’s house and the temple he built from the Assyrian invaders. In Psalm 133, David celebrates the reunited nation after the sad civil war that developed by Absalom’s instigation, which psalm also applies well to Hezekiah’s great Passover attended by brother Israelites from the northern kingdom. In Psalm 134, the night servants in the temple who serve there during the night shift offer their praises to Yahweh, so that such praises emanate from the temple both day and night.

PA549 Psalms 128:1-131:3 mp3

In this message, we continue our consideration of the Psalms of the Degrees, written by Hezekiah to commemorate his fifteen extra years of life, granted by Jehovah after the shadow moved backwards ten degrees on the Sundial of Ahaz. The blessed man whose family is healthy and in order is described in Psalm 128. In Psalm 129, Israel had been oppressed by enemies since her youth, but Yahweh had cut their cords asunder. In Psalm 130, perhaps written by Hezekiah on his sickbed, he cries to Yehovah to hear his voice and deliver him from his distress. In Psalm 131, David writes in distress after he was told he would be king of Israel. He had never been ambitious, and did not look for such a responsibility. Yet he quieted himself by looking to the LORD, Who would be the One to bring this great prophecy about.

PA548 Psalms 124:1-127:5 mp3

In this message, we continue the Songs of the Degrees dedicated by Hezekiah to the time when the LORD added fifteen years to his life after his illness when he saw the shadow move ten degrees backwards on the sundial of Ahaz. Psalm 124 is by David, crediting Jehovah with sparing His people from certain doom, as He did many times in David’s lifetime. In Psalm 125, King Hezekiah probably writes to encourage his people in light of the terrible Assyrian invasion to trust in Yahweh. Psalm 126 celebrates the incredible turn of the situation when Yehovah delivered Zion from the Assyrians and returned their captives to them, yet it looks forward to another difficulty as the crops of the land have been destroyed. Finally, Psalm 127 is either by or to Solomon, and recognizes that the LORD must build the house if he is to succeed at building His temple, a reality Hezekiah had to recognize in seeking the same temple’s restoration.

PA547 Psalms 120:1-123:4 mp3

In this message, we begin a study of the fifteen “Songs of the Degrees” written or dedicated by Hezekiah to the fifteen years the LORD added to his life after he watched the shadow move back ten degrees on his father’s sundial. First, in Psalm 120, Hezekiah must deal with counsellors who advise him for war rather than depending on Jehovah, as he was determined to do. In Psalm 121, Hezekiah looks at the nations around him with which he could try to make a league against Assyria, and realizes that his help comes not from them, but from Yahweh. A timid counsellor and a strong counsellor, perhaps Isaiah, speak, and Hezekiah knows he has chosen the right course. In Psalm 122, Hezekiah uses a psalm of David for his songs of degrees, talking about the joy of going up to the house of Yehovah. In Psalm 123, Hezekiah looks up to the LORD like a slave looks diligently to the hand of his master, waiting for Him to answer the contempt of the proud who act against him.

PA546 Psalm 119:145-176 mp3

In this message, we conclude the superlative Psalm 119, covering the last four letters of the Hebrew alphabet in this acrostic psalm, the longest chapter in the Scriptures. Hezekiah, whom we believe to be the author, writes of his wholehearted devotion to God’s Word. He then considers deliverance in the light of God’s Word. He speaks of the great value he places on God’s Word. Finally, he speaks of the choice of God’s Word. Thus we conclude this great psalm exalting the Word of God.

PA545 Psalm 119:121-144 mp3

In this message, we continue Hezekiah’s great acrostic Psalm glorifying the Word of God. The love of God’s wisdom and standards leads to a longing for the day when He will act to cause these to prevail on earth. God’s words and ways bring light, but lead to sorrow over those who reject them. The righteousness of God’s Word is celebrated.

PA540 Psalms 117:1-118:29 mp3

In this message, we consider the short Psalm 117, calling on all nations to join Israel in praising the LORD. Then in Psalm 118, we consider a psalm that is largely prophetic. Praise to Jehovah for His grace then moves into remembrance of deliverance and the conclusion that trust in Jehovah is superior to all else. Ultimate hope is not in death, but in resurrection life. Then, a world will be built on Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. He creates that great day when His light will enlighten the world and His praise will ring out from His people again.

PA539 Psalm 115:9-116:19 mp3

In this message, we continue Psalm 115, a psalm celebrating the reality of Israel’s God over the emptiness of idols. All Israel is called on to extol Yehovah, since He is the One Who is ever mindful of them, and will exalt and increase them. He owns the heavens, but has given the earth to the sons of Adam. The dead do not praise Yehovah, but we the living offer praises now and in resurrection life in the Eon. Then, in Psalm 116, praise is given for deliverance from death, perhaps matching well with the events in the life of King Hezekiah. Yehovah delivered him from death, and he wonders how he may repay Him? The answer is given. Death will come eventually, but the psalmist expresses confidence that he will yet pay his vows to Yehovah in resurrection life.