The Eighteen Benedictions
O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise Psalm 51:15
Praise – An ancient text has come down to us from the Pharisees. It is called, “The Eighteen Benedictions.” It was read three times a day in the presence of the faithful and much of it is still used in Synagogue worship today. If we want to truly understand the mindset of the Hebrew world, if we really want to know what it means to “praise” God (the Hebrew verb is halal, the noun here is tehillah, from which we derive hallelujah), then we need to consider the Eighteen. You can see them in their entirety here.
What you need to know about the Eighteen is the worldview that they present. Without understanding this worldview, you are praying to a lead ceiling beneath the stars.
- God is the owner of heaven and earth, the protector of His people and the only source of our confidence
- God judges us, nourishes us and provides us with salvation, making the dead alive
- God is holy. There is no other god beside Him.
- God blesses us with understanding of His path without which we are lost.
- God takes delight in repentance and desires our restoration.
- God forgives and is merciful.
- God redeems and defends the afflicted.
- God heals.
- God is in complete control of the blessings of the earth.
10. God is the champion of liberty.
11. God is the author of just government.
12. God judges the unfaithful.
13. God is the confidence of the righteous.
14. God is compassionate.
15. God hears out prayers.
16. God is pleased with the service of the faithful.
17. God is worthy of all praise.
18. God is our peace.
Praise for the Lord is the endorsement of His character and the promise to act accordingly. Hallelujah!
