SING A NEW SONG TO THE LORD

Psalm 149:1-9 / Keywords 149:1

Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.

 

Psalm 149

1 Praise the Lord.[a]

Sing to the Lord a new song,

    his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;

    let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

3 Let them praise his name with dancing

    and make music to him with timbrel and harp.

4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;

    he crowns the humble with victory.

5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor

    and sing for joy on their beds.

6 May the praise of God be in their mouths

    and a double-edged sword in their hands,

7 to inflict vengeance on the nations

    and punishment on the peoples,

8 to bind their kings with fetters,

    their nobles with shackles of iron,

9 to carry out the sentence written against them—

    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes

a. Psalm 149:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9

1. God is alive and active in the lives of his people. Our situations change, but his grace and mercy flow all the more to meet our new circumstances. As time goes by, we become more aware of God’s love and grace. For this reason, our praise to God should evolve throughout our lives. We are to sing God’s praise with new songs that reflect our dynamic relationship with him. Israel had many reasons to praise the LORD. He was their Maker and King. He established the nation through his covenant with Abraham and he ruled his people with perfect wisdom, love, and justice. God’s people are to rejoice in him with exuberant music and dancing. In turn, God delights in his people and crowns them with the blessings of eternal salvation. Even on their beds, God’s people sing for joy. Perhaps they sing God’s praise when they first wake up and again when they lay down.

 

2. God’s people are worshiping warriors. Israel lived in a promised land that was physical and at times they were called to execute God’s judgment on other nations. Christians, on the other hand, are called to fight a spiritual battle. The word of God, sharper than a two-edged sword, is our weapon. Our strength is the joy of the LORD. We fight this war on our knees in prayer and by sharing the gospel of Jesus. This is our duty and our great honor.

 

Prayer Father, let your name be forever praised!

One Word Let’s sing a new song together