"Hallelujah" April 5 Readings: Psalm 111-118

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Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026

This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: Psalm 111-118

In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer. 

Background:  

Today's Psalms are "Hallelujah" Psalms, or Psalms of praise. They glorify and praise the God of Heaven.

Daily Devotional: Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

It is, perhaps, the most common command in Scripture. In Hebrew, that is what the word is. Hallel is the Hebrew verb for praise - to honor, glorify, exalt, lift up. Hallelu is a command to praise, and, of course, the "jah" at the end refers to Yahweh, the name of the Hebrew God.

Praise the Lord.

It isn't a suggestion. It isn't just a good idea. It is a command. Praise God. In the Psalms, and specifically in the Psalms we read today, we see this command often, and we are given dozens, perhaps hundreds of reasons to praise God. We praise him for his greatness, for his love, for his mercy, for his works on our behalf, and for the victories he wins over our enemies. The list is endless. We praise God for who he is - his character, his greatness. We praise him for what he does for us. Who he is and what he does.

Hallelujah. Praise the Lord.

We hear a lot of talk about "positive mental attitude" - something about which the Bible says very little. However, it does speak of the power of praise. When we focus on God, on his character, and on his acts of mercy on our behalf, somehow our problems fade in comparison. Our spirits lift when praise rises to the throne of God.

We evangelicals, we Baptists, are good at many things. We love God's word, and we proclaim the gospel faithfully. We love the church and seek to implement programs to reach people, but sometimes we struggle with simply praising God, with reveling in his goodness and love. If we fail at this most common of biblical commands, perhaps we should not be surprised that we struggle at obeying other commands as well.

This command is too important to ignore!
Father, I praise you. Help me to lose myself in the praise of your holy name. 

 

Consider God's Word:


As you read through the Psalms today, note the specific character qualities and acts of goodness for which God was praised.
Take time to praise him.

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