Ps 148:14 answers the age-old question ‘Who are we?’ So often, this question of identity nags at us individually and collectively; we need a sense of identity to find purpose and meaning in life. Eph 1:11 in the Message version says, ‘It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.’ This psalm of praise has similar answers for God’s people.

Firstly, it reminds us that God has done something for ‘His people’. In sending His only Son, Jesus, to be the atoning sacrifice for sin, He has actually made those who were far off and not His people into His people (see 1 Pet 2:9-10, Eph 2:11-22, Hos 1:8-11) Those who call on the name of the Lord are not only saved, they are also born again and adopted into His family as children of God. (John 1:12, Rom 8:15)

Amazingly, God’s people are also described as ‘His faithful servants’ and ‘Israel’, again showing us that God’s sovereignty and choice grant us access to a new relationship with Him. There is a wondrous balance in the descriptions given to God’s people. That relationship is described at times in very intimate terms (as a child, as the bride of Christ, as a friend), but we are also reminded that we are servants who have been bought at a price. (1 Cor 6:19-20). This is not a negative description, for we are described also in this psalm as being ‘close to His heart’ (see also Is 40:11). God has done so much for us in rescuing us from the kingdom of darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of light. The only right response to the new identity given to us by God (see 2 Cor 5:17) is worship and service.

In Psalm 148:14, we find reference to God raising up for His people a horn, an image which to modern eyes probably conveys very little. In the Bible, however, the ‘horn’ features frequently in different guises, all of which point us to Jesus Christ (‘the horn of salvation’ raised up for us, according to Zechariah in Luke 1:69).

Obviously, in its most literal interpretation, a horn is a protrusion on certain animals such as bulls (Deut 33:17). The horn can be used by the animal in attack, defence and to secure dominance (think of the rhino’s ‘bodger on the bonce’, for example, to quote Flanders and Swann), and as such the word became synonymous metaphorically with strength, power and domination. (1 Sam 2:10, Ps 75:10) Kings were often described as having ‘horns’ (see Dan 7:7, 24) and when God’s power is displayed to defeat enemies, this is described as a ‘horn’ being cut off (see Jer 48:25).

Other uses of the word ‘horn’ in the Old Testament include the use of horns as trumpets (most notably in the fall of Jericho – see Josh 6:4-5) and as receptacles for holding the anointing oil (1 Sam 16:1,3; 1 Kings 1:39). Other Old Testament usages of the word refer to the protrusion at each corner of the altar (Exodus 27:2). In worship, the horns of the altar were dabbed with blood to purify them and make atonement for sin (Leviticus 8:15; Lev 4:6) and these were sometimes clung on to by those accused of crimes (see 1 Kings 1:50, 1 Kings 2:28).

Ultimately, Ps 148, Ps 18:2 and Luke 1:69 reminds us that God’s strength and power are total and are seen in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. “The salvation Jesus offers is strong, triumphant, and powerful. Just like the horns on the altar offered refuge and atonement, Jesus offers clemency and cleansing through His death on the cross. However strong our spiritual foe, the horn of our salvation is stronger still.”[1] We can be confident in God’s ultimate power and dominion; we can rest in the horn of His strength.

[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/horn-of-salvation.html

The second half of Psalm 148 calls for praise ‘from the earth’, listing sea creatures, all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds, mountains, hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, along with kings, princes, rulers, young men and women, old men and children (Ps 148:7-12) – a selective list that is clearly intended to be all-inclusive!

Again, both animate and inanimate objects are included in the list: there literally is nothing on earth which is not commanded to praise God. Michael Wilcock says, “The picture’s grandeur, its comprehensiveness, is highlighted by the repeated all – all angels, all stars, all depths, all hills, all cattle, all nations. Even all rulers! Everything and everyone, from the angels of God to the most powerful and godless of men, are to recognise the supremacy of Israel’s Lord – the one who has made himself known to those alone, ‘the people close to his heart.’” (Commentary on Psalms 73-150, P 281)

Reasons are again given for this command. First and foremost, we are called to praise God ‘for His name alone is exalted.’ (Ps 148:13) His splendour and majesty deserve praise. We praise God primarily for who He is, for His character and nature which are so utterly holy, loving and merciful. Secondly, however, we are called to praise God for what He has done for His people: ‘He has raised up a horn’ (Ps 148:14). God’s strength and power are shown in so many different ways, not least in providing for us ‘a horn of salvation’ (Luke 1:69) in Jesus Christ. Our God is near to us (see Deut 4:7, Phil 4:5), caring for us each moment of each day. There are so many reasons to praise Him!

Psalm 148 is another psalm of exuberant praise, calling all creation to praise the Lord. The first half of the psalm looks at heavenly praise: ‘Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.’ (Ps 148:1) Angels, heavenly hosts, sun, moon, stars, highest heavens and waters above the heavens are all urged to praise the Lord. (Ps 148:2-4), with reasons for praising by these creatures and creations given (Ps 148:5-6).

It can be hard for us sometimes to think of heavenly praise, for it is beyond our natural understanding. Scripture makes it plain that God created all things (see Gen 1, Ps 33:6,9) and angelic praise is described in many parts of the Bible (e.g. Is 6:1-3, Rev 5:11-12). In the Old Testament, ‘heavens’ is used in different ways: Michael Wilcock says this psalm talks of the heavens in all sense of the word: ‘where the angels sing; where the stars shine; where the rain clouds fly.’ Ps 19:1 has already taught us that the heavens declare the glory of God (see also Ps 98:7-8, Is 55:12) and it is interesting to ponder how creation can ‘praise the Lord’, given that we associate this so often with verbal praise. Horne says, “Though they have neither speech nor language, and want the tongue of men, yet by their splendour and magnificence, their motions and their influences, all regulated and exerted according to the ordinance of their Maker, do, in a very intelligible and striking manner, declare the glory of God.” However we interpret the ‘highest heavens’ (some believe this is a reference to planets and galaxies), this psalm leaves us in no doubt that all of creation is made by God (‘at His command they were created’ Ps 148:5) and are sustained by Him (‘he issued a decree that will never pass away’ Ps 148:6) Creation praises God by calling attention to all He has made, simply by ‘being’ what He meant it to be. That has huge implications for us too. Creation’s worship is both visible and constant, another reminder of what God wants our worship to be like. Worship, ultimately, involves surrender to God’s ways and focuses attention on Him. Many may exalt the created realm, marvelling at the wonders of astronomy and nature, but creation itself is called to honour God and praise Him.

The Advent Sheep Trail is about to start in Goldthorpe, Bolton-on-Dearne and Thurnscoe.

The idea of this is that 10 knitted sheep per village are given to different shops and public buildings and people have to find the names of the sheep in those buildings. Leaflets are being given out to local primary schools and are available in the shops themselves. When you’ve found the 10 names and filled in the leaflet, you can bring this (with your name and contact details) to the ‘Churches Together’ Christmas Sheep Service on Saturday 15th December between 2 and 4 p.m. at the Salvation Army in Goldthorpe. We’ll put all the entries into a box and draw out a winner for each village… with the lucky winner getting a Christmas hamper (and maybe a sheep too!)

Today, the first lot of sheep ventured out into Goldthorpe. They can be found in the following places:

1. Goldthorpe Library
2. Terry’s DIY
3. Staniforth’s Bakery
4. Coopland’s
5. Hollygrove
6. BARC
7. MarcoPaolo’s
8. Young ‘Uns
9. Sarah’s Pantry
10. Post Office

Here’s what the leaflet looks like…

Sheep and leaflets will be distributed in Thurnscoe and Bolton-on-Dearne later this week or early next week.

Dave spoke tonight from Luke 1:5-25 about the example Elizabeth sets for us. Although Elizabeth only really features in this one chapter, we learn a lot about her from her response to the miraculous news that, though old and barren, she would bear a son who would be a messenger of the Lord.

1. It is evident that Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron and married to a priest, Zechariah, had a responsible role in life and probably (maybe even because of her childlessness) threw herself into good works. She was upright in the sight of God an continued to do her best for God, even though her barrenness must have been a great disappointment to her. She did not become bitter towards God because of her circumstances but gives us an example of living a godly life at all times.
2. She was obviously a woman of great faith, for she believed Zechariah’s account of the angelic visitation and believed there would be a miracle. She had probably prayed for a child for many years and is an example to us of the need for persevering prayer. Sometimes God says ‘yes’ and sometimes ‘no’, but often there is a period of silence when it appears He is not listening or answering. Elizabeth needed great faith to keep on believing and she encourages us to have faith too.
3. Elizabeth also shows us the example of self-control. She withdrew from society and kept to herself during those early months of pregnancy. That might have been to keep her baby safe from anything which could have potentially led to ritual uncleanliness or could have been from modesty, but in that time, she learnt to pray and praise. We too need to learn how to exercise restraint at times and to wait for the Lord.
4. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41) and prophesied when she met Mary, ‘the mother of my Lord.‘ We too need to be filled daily with the Holy Spirit and need His power in our lives.
5. Elizabeth’s last example is that of obedience. When it was time to circumcise her son, she was the one who spoke out against the tradition of naming the boy after his father. It must have taken great courage for a woman to interrupt the ceremony with the news that this child was to be called John, but she was adamant that total obedience to the angelic message was required. 1 Sam 15:22 reminds us that to obey is better than sacrifice. We need to obey God fully. So often, we think we know how to work things out but obedience involves acknowledging that God knows best and that we are not required to understand all the details before we obey. Luke 1:45 needs to become our motto: ‘Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.’