Sunday, October 6 – Psalms 150, 1 Kings 9 – Additional Reading, The Great Controversy, Chapter 42, The Controversy Ended, White Andrews Study Bible p.431, The Heavenly Sanctuary in the Old Testament, Richard M. Davidson

1. What is the central theme of Psalms 150? Ps 150:1-6

2. Who is to Praise the Lord? Ps 150:6

3. How does the Lord say that He consecrated the house that Solomon built? 1 Kings 9:3

4. What does God charge Solomon to do that will establish his royal throne over Israel? 1 Kings 9:4-5

Verse one of Psalm 150 reminds us to praise God in two places: His sanctuary and His mighty heavens. The Hebrews understood this to include the earthly tabernacle or temple where religious services of sacrifice and praise were conducted daily, and in every place of God’s creation, the universe (“his mighty heavens”).

Praise isn’t limited to a specific place or time; it’s a universal expression of our deepest emotions and beliefs. Just like the diverse musical instruments mentioned in Psalms 150, our praise to God should reflect the full spectrum of our experiences and actions. The psalmist declares that we should praise the Lord in all things, large and small. It is important to note that with each subsequent verse, the psalmist brings to a resounding crescendo that, in all ways, we are to praise the Lord. Ellen G. White revealed that Psalm 150 depicts a cosmic procession from the heavenly sanctuary that fills the universe with praise, a scene replicating the great controversy’s final moments. (The Great Controversy, Chapter 42- The Controversy Ended.)

It is inspiring to think about the endless possibilities for expressing our gratitude and love for God. For us today, it means that our praise and worship of God should occur in our church services on the Sabbath and continue to wherever we are throughout the week. Praise does not end at the church doors, as we can express our gratitude to God in many ways, no matter where or what we do.

1 Kings 9 is divided into two distinct sections. The first section (9:1-6) highlights the positive side of God’s promise to Solomon. It portrays God’s second appearance to Solomon and the extraordinary blessings that Solomon received due to the promises made to his father, David. Solomon received assurance from the Lord that He had heard his prayer of dedication. The Lord promised to always dwell in the temple uniquely, comforting His people and responding to their needs. The second section (9:6-9) delves into the negative side of the promise and its conditional nature. The Lord warned Solomon that he and his descendants would rule over Israel only if they remained obedient to His Word. However, failure to faithfully follow the Lord and turning to worship other gods would lead to two consequences: the expulsion of Israel from their land and the abandonment of the temple.

Psalm 150 and 1 Kings 9 beautifully emphasize the joy and significance of praising the Lord. The psalmist, inspired by God, lovingly guides the people in the art of praising Him. After the Temple’s completion, God’s declaration of eternal presence fills our hearts with hope and reassurance. It’s a beautiful reminder that as long as we stay faithful, God’s loving presence will always be with us, bringing comfort and strength.

“The earthly and heavenly sanctuary serves as the theological beginning, center, and end of the book of Psalms, pointing to Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. The psalmists, amid joy and sorrow, praise and pain, always returned to the sanctuary to find comfort, reorientation, and salvation.

Richard M. Davidson,” (The Heavenly Sanctuary in the Old Testament,1970)