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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise The psalmist said, hallū yāh, and I echo his words, Hallelujah: Praise the Lord! (Ps 111:1). Your works, O Lord, are great, and they are studied by all who delight in them. The works of your hands are faithful and just; all your precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness (Ps 111:2, 7–8). All you do is worthy of praise, and I look forward to worshipping you throughout eternity! Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me the first of three groupings of psalms called the Hallel psalms. The word hallel is Hebrew for “praise,” and it is the first part of the word “Hallelujah” (lit. “praise Yah” or “praise the Lord”). The first group, Psalms 113–118, is called the “Egyptian Hallel” because of the emphasis on the exodus from Egypt in Psalm 114. The Egyptian Hallel played an important role in the liturgy of the Passover. By custom, the first two psalms were sung before the meal and the remaining four afterwards, so these were probably the last psalms Jesus sang before his passion (cf. Mark 14:26). Psalm 118 was especially significant to him, for the ring of enemies spoken of in Ps 118:10–13 had indeed surrounded him and a cruel death lay in store for him. Yet he encouraged himself with a verse from the victory song at the Red Sea: “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” (Ps 118:14; cf. Exod 15:2). Jesus knew that you would not give him over to death, for even though he died, the grave could not hold him! (Ps 118:17–18). You threw wide the gates of righteousness, and he entered through them with thanksgiving. Truly, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps 118:22–24). I say Amen! The day of the triumph of your Son is indeed a day for rejoicing! I join with the psalmist and sing, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Ps 118:29). Praise the Lord! Reflection The only way to become truly wise is to fear you (Ps 111:10). All too often people think they can become wise by knowledge and experience alone. Yet if we don’t honor you in all our ways, we will find ourselves on a path that leads to destruction (Prov 14:12). Request Not to me, O Lord, not to me, but to your name give glory (Ps 115:1). May your grace fill my life and your praise fill my mouth. Thanksgiving Thank you for hearing my voice and inclining your ear to my cries (Ps 116:1–2). How grateful I am to know that “the Lord preserves the simple” (Ps 116:6). Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “See What a Living Stone” — Isaac Watts. Meditation Verse: Psalm 116:15.