Exegesis of the LectionaryStudying, expounding, and interpreting the Bible readings through the Church Year

Palm Sunday:

Sunday of the Passion John 12:12–19; Isaiah 50:4–9a; John 12:20–43; Philippians 2:5–11; Psalm 118:19-29; Psalm

31:9-16

PALM SUNDAY / SUNDAY OF THE PASSION John 12:12–19 Isaiah 50:4–9aPhilippians 2:5–11Matthew 26:1—27:66or Matthew 27:11–66or John 12:20–43 Now Is the Hour When the Son of Man Is Glorified “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming.” He comes in gentle humility, “sitting on a donkey's colt,” yet also as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13, 15). His royal glory is faithful obedience and self-sacrificing service “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). The Love of God is manifested in the Cross and Passion of His Son for the salvation of sinners. Since He has borne our sins and suffered our death, “God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9), and He exalts us in His Resurrection. Our Lord did not hide His face “from disgrace and spitting” (Is. 50:6), but He trusted His God and Father, who raised Him from death and the grave and exalted Him to His right hand. This same King Jesus now comes to us in gentle humility in His Supper, feeds us with His Body, and cleanses and covers us with His Blood, so that “after His Resurrection” we also shall rise and enter the holy city (Matt. 27:52–53).

Holy Week  

The week of the passion is full of paradoxes that keep our emotions rolling high to low and back. Articulate the pain and joy we feel during Holy Week.

LSB 442Refrain:All glory, laud, and honorTo You, Redeemer, King!To whom the lips of childrenMade sweet hosannas ring.

1 You are the King of Israel,And David’s royal Son,Now in the Lord’s Name coming,Our King and Blessèd One. [Refrain]

2 The company of angelsIs praising You on high;And we with all creationIn chorus make reply. [Refrain]

3 The multitude of pilgrimsWith palms before You went;Our praise and prayers and anthemsBefore You we present. [Refrain]

4 To you before Your passionThey sang their hymns of praise;To You, now high exalted,Our melody we raise. [Refrain]

5 As You received their praises,Accept the prayers we bring,O Source of ev'ry blessing,Our good and gracious King. [Refrain]

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for peace.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Let us pray for the Church, that she may faithfully proclaim the whole counsel of God’s Word to the joy and edification of Christ’s holy people and for the calling of many into new life in Christ: Merciful Lord, You established Your Church through the blood of Christ and sent forth Your people to serve the world in Your name. Bless Your Church with pure doctrine, with zeal for Your Kingdom and with faithfulness, that we may not waver from the truth of Your Word nor fail to welcome the stranger in Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for all pastors of the Church, for

missionaries near and far and for the vocation of the baptized in worship, witness and service to the Lord: Merciful Lord, You have raised up faithful leaders for Your Church, and we appeal to You to continue to provide pastors and church workers. Prosper the work of those who bring the light of Christ to those living in darkness, both near and far. Bless those whose acts of mercy extend Your love to the disabled, wounded and forgotten throughout the world, that Your Church may serve You in faithful service as well as faithful witness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for peace.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Let us pray for our nation, for those who lead us and for the causes of peace and justice throughout the world: Merciful Lord, all things come from You and all things return to You. Give to Your people leaders who will act with integrity and serve honorably. Bless [__________, our president; __________, our governor; __________, our mayor; and] all who make, administer and judge our laws. Protect service men and women in their duty for freedom, and bless all emergency workers, police and firefighters in their service to us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for the sick, those who suffer, the

grieving in their loss, the dying and all who cry to the Lord in great need: Merciful Lord, You know the sufferings of Your people and the needs of all who cry to You. Grant to us what is good and needful for us, and lead us to trust in Your mercy so that we may neither despair in our need nor grow weary of the burdens of this mortal life. Hear us on behalf of [_____________ and] all whom we name before You in our hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for our faithfulness, that we who have welcomed the Lord’s entrance into suffering may rejoice in His Easter victory and be found faithful when He returns in His glory:

Prayer Activity

Use your prayer notes.

Use a verse from the bible to reflect on.

Pray for peace.

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

Merciful Lord, grant to us every aid and blessing of Your Holy Spirit, that we who have cried out “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” may welcome Him who fulfills His promise with His presence in the bread and wine of this Holy Communion. Keep in faithfulness the grace given to us here. Sustain us through the Holy Week of our Lord’s journey to the cross, and lead us to trust in His promise to raise us up with Him on the Last Day; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for generous hearts, that we may joyfully and willingly return to the Lord the tithes and offerings He is due, love one another and our enemies in His name, and walk before Him in holiness of life and speech: 

Merciful Lord, accept the gifts we bring today, born of a grateful heart and brought to You as part of the living sacrifice of our very selves. Bring us and all people to repentance and faith, especially our enemies, and bring us to acknowledge You with one heart and one mind. Lead us to live faithfully and generously, loving You above all things and our neighbor as ourselves; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for all the things the Lord would have us ask and with confidence in Jesus’ name: Merciful Lord, grant us all things needful to us and beneficial to our faith, and help us pray with confidence through the merits and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Group Time Meet w/teams

3-5 min per box

What are the major points of your text?

How does your topic fit the pericope theme?

How does it connect to the other texts? How is it unique?

Week of the Passion

John 12:12-19

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Triumphal Entry12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;behold, your king is coming,    sitting on a donkey's colt!”16 His disciples did not

understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

Isaiah 50:4-9English Standard Version (ESV)4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught,that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;

I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.8 He who vindicates me is near.Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together.Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.9 Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Philippians 2:5-11English Standard Version (ESV)5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[b] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and

on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 12:20-43Some Greeks Seek Jesus20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me,the Father will honor him.The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I,when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law

that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”The Unbelief of the PeopleWhen Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,40 “He has blinded their eyes    and hardened their heart,lest they see with their eyes,    and understand with their heart, and turn,    and I would heal them.”41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Psalm 118:19-29English Standard Version (ESV)19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,    that I may enter through them    and give thanks to the LORD.20 This is the gate of the LORD;    the righteous shall enter through it.21 I thank you that you have answered me    and have become my salvation.22 The stone that the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone.[

a]

23 This is the LORD's doing;    it is marvelous in our eyes.24 This is the day that the LORD has made;

    let us rejoice and be glad in it.25 Save us, we pray, O LORD!    O LORD, we pray, give us success!26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!    We bless you from the house of the LORD.27 The LORD is God,    and he has made his light to shine upon us.Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,    up to the horns of the altar!28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;    you are my God; I will extol you.29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;    for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 31:9-16English Standard Version (ESV)9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;    my eye is wasted from grief;    my soul and my body also.10 For my life is spent with sorrow,    and my years with sighing;my strength fails because of my iniquity,    and my bones waste away.11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,    especially to my neighbors,and an object of dread to my acquaintances;    those who see me in the streetflee from me.12 I have been forgotten like

one who is dead;    I have become like a broken vessel.13 For I hear the whispering of many—    terror on every side!—as they scheme together against me,    as they plot to take my life.14 But I trust in you, O LORD;    I say, “You are my God.”15 My times are in your hand;    rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!16 Make your face shine on your servant;    save me in your steadfast love!

HOLY (MAUNDY) THURSDAY617 O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,In thanksgiving bow before Thee.Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourishOur weak souls that they may flourish.O Lord, have mercy!May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,That our sins and sorrows did carry,And Thy blood for us pleadIn all trial, fear, and need:O Lord, have mercy! 

Exodus 12:1–14 The Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Breador Exodus 24:3–11 The Covenant Confirmed1 Corinthians 11:23–32 The Lord's SupperJohn 13:1–15 (34–35) Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet; A New CommandmentPsalm 116:12-19 What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?

Let Us Love One Another, as Christ Jesus Has Loved Us“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He

comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). By eating His body and drinking His blood, we proclaim to all the world that Jesus is, indeed, our Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:1–14), who was sacrificed for us on Calvary. In Christ, the Lord remembers us in mercy and remembers our sin no more; He forgives us all our iniquity. With such love, he “loved His own who were in the world,” and even loves us “to the end” (John 13:1). As He washes us and feeds us in love, let us love one another, just as He has loved us (John 13:34).

Pray: Eternal God, in the sharing of a meal your Son established a new covenant for all people, and in the washing of feet he showed us the dignity of service. Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these signs of our life in faith may speak again to our hearts, feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.I give you a | new commandment,that you love one another just as I | have loved you. (John 13:34)

GOOD FRIDAY450 O sacred Head, now wounded,With grief and shame bowed down,Now scornfully surroundedWith thorns, Thine only crown.O sacred Head, what glory,What bliss till now was Thine!Yet, though despised and gory,I joy to call Thee mine.

Isaiah 52:13—53:12 He Was Pierced For Our Transgressions2 Corinthians 5:14–21 The Ministry of ReconciliationJohn 18:1—19:42 Betrayal --> BurialPsalm 22 Why Have You Forsaken Me?or Psalm 31 Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Behold the Lamb of God, Who Takes Away the Sin of the WorldJesus, the Lamb of God, is led to the slaughter of His cross as the sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the world. “Despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with

grief” (Is. 53:3), He is the righteous Servant who justifies many by His innocent suffering and death. He bears our griefs and carries our sorrows; He is wounded for our transgressions; He is crushed for our iniquities; He suffers our chastisement, so that “with His stripes we are healed” (Is. 53:4–5). As the Son of God, He fulfills the Law for us in human flesh, and so fulfills the Scriptures (John 19:7, 24). For in Christ, “God was reconciling the whole world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Cor. 5:19).

Pray: Merciful God, your Son was lifted up on the cross to draw all people to himself. Grant that we who have been born out of his wounded side may at all times find mercy in him, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Look to Jesus, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregard- | ing its shame,and has taken his seat at the right hand of the | throne of God. (Heb. 12:2

EASTER SUNRISE467 Awake, my heart, with gladness,See what today is done;Now, after gloom and sadness,Comes forth the glorious sun.My Savior there was laidWhere our bed must be madeWhen to the realms of lightOur spirit wings its flight. 

Isaiah 25:6–9 God Will Swallow Up Death Foreveror Exodus 14:10—15:1 Crossing the Red Sea; The Song of Moses1 Corinthians 15:1–11 The Resurrection of Christor 1 Corinthians 15:12–25 The Resurrection of the DeadJohn 20:1–18 The Resurrection; Jesus Appears to Mary MagdalenePsalm 16 You Will Not Abandon My Soul

Christ’s Resurrection Brings Us Life“In Adam all die.” For we are all participants in the sin of Adam, who rebelled against God in the garden and brought the curse of death into the world. But “in Christ shall all be made alive” (1

Cor. 15:22)). For He was faithful to His Father and destroyed death on the holy tree. Jesus, the Second Adam, now walks in the garden in the cool of the day and reveals Himself to the daughter of Eve (John 20:1–18). The risen Christ brings not the curse of death but the blessing of life, the resurrection of the body. He leads us through the baptismal sea to new life on the other side, conquering our mortal enemies in its depths (Ex. 14:10—15:1). In this way our Lord Jesus wipes away the tears from all faces. For He has swallowed up death forever. Let us therefore be glad and rejoice in His salvation (Is. 25:6–9)!

Pray: O God, you are the creator of the world, the liberator of your people, and the wisdom of the earth. By the resurrection of your Son free us from our fears, restore us in your image, and ignite us with your light, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Alleluia. Let us sing to the Lord, who has | triumphed gloriously; our strength and our might, who has become | our salvation. Alleluia. (Exod. 15:1-2)

EASTER DAY461 I know that my Redeemer lives;What comfort this sweet sentence gives!He lives, He lives, who once was dead;He lives, my ever-living Head.! Job 19:23–27 Job Replies: My Redeemer Lives1 Corinthians 5:6–8 Unleavened Breador 1 Corinthians 15:51–57 Mystery and VictoryMark 16:1–8 The ResurrectionPsalm 118:15-29 Glad Songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous

Christ’s Resurrection Means That We Will One Day Be Raised“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7). By the shed blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, eternal death has passed over us. Now we pass with Christ through death into life everlasting. For Christ the crucified One is risen! The stone has been rolled away from the tomb, revealing that the tomb could not hold Him (Mark 16:1–8). Now our Redeemer lives

eternally to save us from sin and Satan and the grave, and we can live in the sure hope of our own bodily resurrection with Christ. “After my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26). Feasting on the living Christ, who is our meat and drink indeed, we boldly say: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? . . . But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:54–55, 57).

Prayer: O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Alleluia. Christ, our paschal lamb, | has been sacrificed.Therefore, let us | keep the feast. Alleluia. (1 Cor. 5:7, 8)

EASTER EVENING / MONDAY457 Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Exodus 15:1–18 The Song of MosesActs 10:34–43 Gentiles Hear the Good NewsLuke 24:13–35 On the Road to EmmausPsalm 100 His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

The Passover Lamb Is Known in the Breaking of the BreadThe celebration of Easter is a never-ending feast. Therefore, let us “sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously” (Ex. 15:1). He is our strength and our song because He has become our salvation. “They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised Him on the third day” (Acts 10:39). His chosen witnesses, “who ate and drank

with Him after He rose from the dead” (Acts 10:41), now preach “forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts 10:43). By this preaching, Jesus draws near and leads us home. He opens the Scriptures to us, and He opens our minds to understand “the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). He opens our eyes to recognize His wounds and to know Him “in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35).

Pray: Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord's resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Alleluia. God raised up Jesus, having freed | him from death,because it was impossible for him to be held | in its power. Alleluia. (Acts 2:24)

Next Week… See you at church on Good

Friday. We are resuming 4/25 for

Second S. of Easter: Christ Jesus Breathes His Spirit and His Life into Us by the Ministry of the Gospel

Acts 5:29–42 The Apostles Arrested and Freed

1 Peter 1:3–9 Born Again to a Living Hope

John 20:19–31 Jesus and Thomas

Psalm 148 Praise the Name of the Lord

Acts 5:29–42; ; 1 Peter 1:3–9; John 20:19–31; Psalm 148

Acts 5:29-4229 But Peter and the apostles answered,“We must obey God rather than men.30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus,whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to giverepentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council namedGamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 Forbefore these days Theudas rose up,claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 butif it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council,rejoicing that they were counted worthyto suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.1 Peter 1:3-9Born Again to a Living Hope3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved byvarious trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him.Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.John 20:19-31Jesus Appears to the Disciples19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,[a] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, hebreathed on them and said to them,“Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”Jesus and Thomas24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin,[b] was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not

disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”The Purpose of This Book30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.Psalm 148Praise the Name of the LORD148 Praise the LORD!Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!5 Let them praise the name of theLORD! For he commanded and they were created.6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.[a]7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps,8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!10 Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!12 Young men and maidens together, old men and children!13 Let them praise the name of theLORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who arenear to him.Praise the LORD!