"But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD."
Psalm 115:18
At first look, the context of this psalm may be puzzling to figure out. Spurgeon tells us that this psalm was sung by Israel during Passover, and so it is reminiscent of the events in the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt, that first Passover.
“But we will bless the LORD.”
This little conjunction “but,” contrasts the action of verse 17 from this verse (v. 18).
“The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence,” (Psalm 115:17).
This is an obvious statement. Of course, the person who dies and is in the grave does not praise the LORD. He’s dead. The grave is silent. There is no more serving the LORD from the grave.
“For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” (Psalm 6:5).
Our praise and worship to the LORD, as we now know it, ends at the grave.
“For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth,” (Isaiah 38:18-19).
Someone has wisely said that life is the “sowing time” and death is the “reaping time” (Galatians 6:7-10). Now, while we are living is the time for us to worship and serve the Lord. Now is the time to be a witness, to help others, to meet needs, we can’t do these things in the grave. Not wanting to be overly morbid, so don’t stop reading here…
So now we will “bless the LORD!”
“From this time forth and for evermore.”
So regardless of what we have done in our past, good or bad, from this point on we will bless the LORD!
It’s so easy to let our past failures discourage us. But we should grow through those fiascos. Remember, our LORD has never failed us. When we take our sin to the LORD, He forgives and comforts us. With our God, there are “do-overs.” Starting fresh with Him today, the rest of your life can be one of use to the LORD. “From this time forth…!” What encouraging words! From here on, we will serve the LORD.
“Praise the LORD.”
These words are the very definition of “Hallelujah!” It is a cry of praise to God.
“Though the dead cannot, and the wicked will not, and the careless do not praise God, yet we will shout “Hallelujah” for ever and ever. Amen,”1 (Spurgeon).
1. C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword.