Psalm 134, 146, 147. 148, 149, and 150
Psalm 134 is another of the songs for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. These Psalms must have had a lot more meaning after the Temple was built and the Ark of the Covenant moved into it. “May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.”
Psalm 146 is a recital of the blessings of God and a call to praise him. We are not to put our confidence in powerful people, but those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God, are joyful. After all, he:
- Made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them
- Keeps his promise forever
- Gives justice to the oppressed
- Give food to the hungry
- Frees the prisoners
- Opens the eyes of the blind
- Lifts up those who are weighed down
- Loves the godly
- Protects the foreigners among us
- Cares for the orphans and widows
- Frustrates the plans of the wicked
- Will reign forever
- Will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations
Psalm 147 is a Psalm apparently written after the Israelites were exiled, since it says “The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel. We are also told that God counts the stars and calls them all by name. Have you ever tried to count the stars – even the ones you can see?
Psalm 148 can be summed up in verse 5: “Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being.”
Psalm 149 makes it clear that we should praise the Lord no matter where we are or what we are doing.
Psalm 150 is another powerful Psalm of praise, telling us how to praise him:
- With a blast of the ram’s horn
- With lyre and harp
- With tambourine and dancing
- With strings and flutes
- With a clash of cymbals
- With loud, clanging cymbals
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Tomorrow, it’s I Kings 9 and II Chronicles 8.
Bits and Pieces
Someone sent me this a few days ago and I forgot to post it – can you believe it?
My cousins sent me this campaign poster that makes the case for anybody but Obama:
Someone labeled this picture “Buckwheat Meets the Queen.” I would suggest it be called “Big Windy Meets the Queen.”
Here are snippets from a book of "Impressions & Observations" of Secret Service personnel assigned to guard U.S. Presidents/First Ladies, and Vice Presidents.
JOHN & JACQUELINE KENNEDY
*A philanderer of the highest order. * *She ordered the kitchen help to save all the left-over wine during State dinner, mixed with fresh wine and served again during the next White House occasion.*
*LYNDON & LADYBIRD JOHNSON
*Another philanderer of the highest order. In addition, LBJ was as crude as the day is long. Both JFK and LBJ kept a lot of women in the White House for extramarital affairs, and both had set up “early warning systems" to alert them if/when their wives were nearby. Both Kennedy & Johnson were promiscuous and oversexed men. *
*She was either naive or just pretended to "not know" about her husband's many liaisons. *
*RICHARD & PAT NIXON
*A “;moral" man but very odd, weird, paranoid, etc. He had horrible relationship with his family, and in a way, was almost a recluse.* *She was quiet most of the time.*
*SPIRO AGNEW
* Nice, decent man, everyone in the Secret Service was surprised about his downfall. *
*GERALD & BETTY FORD
*A true gentlemen who treated the Secret Service with respect and dignity. He had a great sense of humor. *
*She drank a lot!*
*JIMMY & ROSALYN CARTER
*A complete phony who would portray one picture of himself to public and very different in private, e..g., would be shown carrying his own luggage, but the suit cases were always empty; he kept empty ones just for photo op's. Wanted the people to see him as pious and a non-drinker, but he and his family drank alcohol a lot. He had disdain for the Secret Service, and was very irresponsible with the "football" nuclear codes. He didn't think it was a big deal and would keep military aides at a great distance. Often did not acknowledge the presence of Secret Service personnel assigned to serve him.*
*She mostly did her own thing.*
*RONALD & NANCY REAGAN
*The real deal --- moral, honest, respectful, and dignified. They treated Secret Service and everyone else with respect and honor. Thanked everyone all the time. He took the time to know everyone on a personal level. * One & favorite" story which has circulated among the Secret Service personnel was an incident early in his Presidency, when he came out of his room with a pistol tucked on his hip. The agent in charge asked: "Why the pistol, Mr. President" He replied, "In case you boys can't get the job done, I can help." It was common for him to carry a pistol. When he met with Gorbachev, he had a pistol in his briefcase. Upon learning that Gary Hart was caught with Donna Rice, Reagan said, "Boys will be boys, but boys will not be Presidents." [He obviously either did not know or forgot JFK's and LBJ's sexcapades!]*
*She was very nice but very protective of the President; and the Secret Service was often caught in the middle. She tried hard to control what the President ate, and he would say to the agent "Come on, you gotta help me out." The Reagans drank wine during State dinners and special occasions only; otherwise, they shunned alcohol; the Secret Service could count on one hand the times they were served wine during their "family dinner". For all the fake bluster of the Carters, the Reagans were the ones who lived life as genuinely moral people.*
*GEORGE H. & BARBARA BUSH
*Extremely kind and considerate Always respectful. Took great care in making sure the agents'’ comforts were taken care of. They even brought them meals, etc. One time Barbara Bush brought warm clothes to agents standing outside at Kennebunkport; one agent was given a warm hat, and when he tried to nicely say "no thanks" even though he was obviously freezing, President Bush said "Son, don't argue with the First Lady, put the hat on." He was the most prompt of the Presidents. He ran the White House like a well-oiled machine.*
*She ruled the house and spoke her mind.*
*BILL & HILLARY CLINTON
*Presidency was one giant party. Not trustworthy --- he was nice because he wanted everyone to like him, but to him life is just one big game and party. Everyone knows of his sexuality.*
*She is another phony. Her personality would change the instant cameras were near. She hated with open disdain the military and Secret Service. She was another one who felt people are there to serve her. She was always trying to keep tabs on Bill Clinton.*
*ALBERT GORE
* An egotistical ass, who was once overheard by his Secret Service detail lecturing his only son that he needed to do better in school or he “;would end up like these guys" --- pointing to the agents.*
*GEORGE W. & LAURA BUSH
*The Secret Service loved him and Laura Bush. He was also the most physically “in shape" who had a very strict workout regimen. The Bushes made sure their entire administrative and household staff understood to respect and be considerate of the Secret Service.
*She was one of the nicest First Ladies, if not the nicest; she never had any harsh word to say about anyone.*
*KARL ROVE was the one who was the most caring of the Secret Service in the administration.*
*BARACK & MICHELLE OBAMA
”Clinton all over again" - hates the military and looks down on the Secret Service. He is egotistical and cunning; looks you in the eye and appears to agree with you, but turns around and does the opposite---untrustworthy. He has temper tantrums.*
*She is a complete bitch, who hates anybody who is not black; hates the military; and looks at the Secret Service as servants.*
Until next time…
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