Be Exultant: Praising God for His Mighty Works

The "Be" Commentary

by Warren W. Wiersbe

Do you want to know God more and understand his relationship to his creation, the nations of the world, Israel, and today's believers? Of course you do, and now you can by walking with Warren Wiersbe through Psalms 90-150. Like David and Moses and others who contributed to the Book of Psalms, you can come to know God as the tenderhearted Father, a God who keeps his promises and who lovingly cares for his people. See yourself in those who follow him, their faith and doubts, their victories and failures, and their hopes for the glorious future God has promised. You will meet all kinds of people who are faced with a variety of circumstances, crying out to God, praising him, confessing their sins and seeking to worship him in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Reference, Christianity, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Ebooks

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2004

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book along with my daily bible reading through Psalms 90-150. Dr. Wiersbe, with all his many years of reading and studying, has so much to add to any bible passage. I highly recommend his "Be" commentaries.

[Laurie]

Numbers 33 names forty-two different places Israel camped during their journey, but no matter where Moses lived, God was always his home. He “lived in the Lord.” He knew how to “abide in the Lord” and find strength, comfort, encouragement, and help for each day’s demands.

[Sandy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the comment on the Psalm that I was reading in The MacArthur Daily Bible every day. What a great way to study!!

[Mike Eccles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I worked with this volume in order to help me with my daily discipline of reading some scripture, with the anticipated bonus of learning more about the context and meaning of the words that I was reading. Having struggled somewhat with the related volume "Be Worshipful, Psalms 1 - 89", perhaps unsurprisingly I struggled with this one, but persisted (I've started so I'll finish).

Upon reflection, I think this volume and its precursor didn't really work for me because they took me away from the beauty and simplicity of the language of David and the other psalm writers. The simple spiritual insights and emotions were drowned by too many historical and analytical words. I struggled to finish, but did.

I'm moving on to a New Testament book and Wiersbe commentary now in the expectation of an improved experience.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typically I rave about Wiersbe's books because they are so fresh, insightful and...well, biblical. But not so much this one. Perhaps it is because this is on the Psalms. For a long time I typically read a Psalm a day and it how I start my day. I think I was so used to having God speak to me through my own reading, I was not as moved by having Wiersbe's devotional speak to me through a Psalm. I suppose that's a good thing! Nevertheless, I did gain some new insights and ways of looking at things that I have used in some of my teaching.

[Cat Rayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wiersbe’s Bible commentaries are insightful, provide a historical reference and just seem...fresh! Used this book and Be Worshipful In a Psalm (mostly) a day devo quest. Be Exultant served me well, even sparking more in-depth study as the psalms corresponded with other OT books.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

n my current trek through the Bible, I’ve just finished the book of Psalms. I had not planned to end the book right before Thanksgiving, but I was glad it worked out that way.

Once again, I used Warren Wiersbe’s short “Be” commentary as a companion, along with the ESV Study Bible notes.

Since Psalms is the longest book of the Bible at 150 chapters, Wiersbe divided his commentary on the book into two parts. I reviewed the first one here: Be Worshipful (Psalms 1-89): Glorifying God for Who He Is. The second is Be Exultant (Psalms 90-150): Praising God for His Mighty Works.

As I said in the earlier review, the book of Psalms is Israel’s songbook. The passages cover Israel’s history from creation to the latest happenings of the day, their return after being exiled in Babylon for seventy years.

Though David wrote a majority of the psalms, various other authors contributed as well.

The writers composed in caves, in hiding, in their rooms, under persecution, in celebration.

Many of the psalms are deeply personal, yet benefit the whole congregation.

The psalms are deeply doctrinal, some prophesying of the Messiah to come, many quoted in the New Testament.

But many people value the psalms most for their wide range of emotion, from the highest praise and exaltation to the lowest depths of misery. The psalms give us many examples of someone pouring out their heart to God in confusion, sorrow, pain, or guilt, then reminding themselves of what they know to be true about God.

Here are some of the quotes from Wiersbe’s book that most stood out to me:

Life is brief, so Moses prayed, “Teach us.” Life is difficult, and he prayed, “Satisfy us.” His work at times seemed futile, so he prayed, “Establish the work of our hands.” God answered those prayers for Moses, and He will answer them for us. The future is your friend when Jesus is your Savior and Lord (p. 25, Kindle version).

It is better to suffer in the will of God than to invite trouble by disobeying God’s will (1 Peter 2: 18–25) (p. 26).

This hidden life of worship and communion makes possible the public life of obedience and service (p. 26).

To rely on our faith is to put faith in faith, but to rely on God’s faithfulness is to put faith in the Lord. Our assurance is in the Word of God and the God of the Word (p. 102).

The Word of God performs many wonderful ministries in the life of the devoted believer. It keeps us clean (v. 9), gives us joy (vv. 14, 111, 162), guides us (vv. 24, 33–35, 105), and establishes our values (vv. 11, 37, 72, 103, 127, 148, 162). The Word helps us to pray effectively (v. 58) and gives us hope (v. 49) and peace (v. 165) and freedom (vv. 45, 133) (p. 110).

What a precious treasure is the Word of God (vv. 14, 72, 127, 162; 61: 5)! It is like a deep mine filled with gold, silver, and precious gems, and we must take time to “dig” for these treasures (Prov. 2: 1–9; 3: 13–15; 8: 10–11; 1 Cor. 3: 9–23). A mere surface reading of Scripture will not put spiritual treasure into our hearts. Mining treasure is hard work, but it is joyful work when we “mine” the Bible, as the Spirit guides us into truth. Then, the Spirit helps us to “mint” the treasure so we can invest it in our lives (obedience) and in the lives of others (witness) (p. 131).

Wrong ideas about God will ultimately lead to wrong ideas about who we are and what we should do, and this leads to a wrong life on the wrong path toward the wrong destiny
(p. 193).

I’m thankful once again for Dr. Wiersbe’s insights.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wiersbe offers a beautiful blend of spiritual nurturing and keen biblical insight. This has been a wonderful devotional book for me during this pandemic. I have been reminded over and over again of God’s faithfulness through all the ages.
Some highlighted quotes.

Psalm 95
"Hearing and heeding God’s Word must be central if our worship, private or corporate, is to be truly Christian. It isn’t enough for God to hear my voice; I must hear His voice as the Word of God is read, preached, and taught. The Scriptures written centuries ago have authority today, and we have no right to ignore them, change them, or disobey them."

Psalm 105
"God’s people live on promises, not explanations, and it is “through faith and patience” that we see these promises fulfilled (Heb. 6:12)."

Psalm 119
"To unsaved sinners, the law is an enemy because it announces their condemnation and cannot save them. To legalistic believers, the law is a master that robs them of their freedom. But to spiritually minded believers, the law is a servant that helps them see the character of God and the work of Christ."

"The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings. As we cultivate an appetite for the Word (vv. 10, 20, 40, 81, 131) and feed upon it, we give the Spirit something to work with in our hearts, and He enables us to walk in God’s paths."

Psalm 141
"Life goes on and there is work to do, so we must not allow tough situations to paralyze us but to energize us in trusting the Lord. Life’s trials are not excuses for doing nothing; they are opportunities for claiming God’s promises and experiencing His miraculous power."

[R. Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Commentary

Be Exultant is an excellent Bible commentary on the book and of Psalms 90 -150. It covers these psalms in detail giving the overall view of the psalms and then breaks the psalm into topics. This book will give you a deeper understanding of the last sixty-one psalms then you had before. I highly recommend following each reference verse Wiersbe gives you as they will greatly enhance your understanding of the Psalms.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful guide through the Psalms. I liked the history and other scriptures that Wiersbe researched for each Psalm. I didn't read all of his comments because a lot of things seemed like suppositions or extras rather than focusing on what the Psalm said. Each of the five books of psalms has individual commentaries as well as review sections and questions for that book of Psalms.

My outlines didn't always match Wiersbe's. However, it's still a good overall outline and guide through authorship, outlines, meanings, metaphors and application.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

24/50 of be series. I read alphabetically.

This is the longest book in the series. Like other books in the series, the commentary not that deep. The longest psalm (psalm 119) on took several pages to read. But despite not del in exegesis, you could learn many practical things here.

[N Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful journey through the Psalms

The Psalms opened up o me during this study. No long dry dissertation but concise clarification. Ending with the glory of praise in Ps 150. Wonderful.

[Peggy McDermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psalms are so uplifting, enjoyed the study.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Warren Wiersbe's commentaries! I always learn so much.

[Jessica Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy his commentaries. The breakdown of Psalm 119 was so so great.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the “Be” books!!! So, so practical yet theologically rich. Will always recommend Wiersbe! 👏🏼

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great commentary/study in the Book of Psalms.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Exultant is a study of Psalms 90-150. Psalm 90 is the oldest, written by Moses. Wiersbe says Psalms 90-150, which are considered Books IV and V of the Psalms, were likely collected during the time of Ezra and include the “Songs of Degrees” (Psalms 120-134) and the “hallelujah psalms (Psalms 113-118, and 146-159). The New Testament refers to the Psalms over 400 times and Jesus quoted from the Psalms during His ministry. In times of trial, I’ve always been able to find comfort in the Psalms, in the promises of God, in who He is and has always been, and in what He has done and continues to do (like prepare a place for us - where He will gather His children and we will be with Him forever… “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4).

As Ken Baugh says in his introduction: “The psalms teach us to seek God with a whole heart, to tell Him the truth and tell Him everything, and to worship Him because of who He is, not just because of what He gives. They show us how to accept trials and turn them into triumphs, and when we’ve failed, they show us how to repent and receive God’s gracious forgiveness.” No matter what we’re facing, we do not have to face it alone - Immanuel - God is with us!

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all of What she's "Be" series

Great helps with Bible Study from a wide and knowledgeable teacher.
I Highly rec all the books in this series!

[Frans Kempe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book about the Psalms. Psalm by psalm study

[Laurel Hicks]

Delightful.