Psalm 149

Here is another Psalm of praise to the LORD (Hillel).  This one is a call to praise especially for “His saints” (v9).  The saints or holy ones or those who have been separated to God in the immediate context are Israel, the children of Zion (v2).  Let us not ignore this truth.  Let us pray that today’s nation of Israel, and the Jewish people in every place, will sing this song of praise in spirit and in truth.

                But then let those who by God’s grace have put their faith in Jesus Christ recognize that they have been grafted into the tree and are properly called saints (1 Cor 1:2 and many other places in the New Testament).  Thus let us dwell on this song and be made beautiful in our salvation.    Here are my thoughts.  I beg you, recite your own observations to the LORD.

·         v2: Our Maker is our King.  This is how it must be.  By virtue of His being the Potter, He is Sovereign over the clay.  Note that the same is true of the idolater who makes an idol of wood or precious stones.  He, the worshiper, is in fact the sovereign over that lifeless form.  He gives it what attributes he wants it to have; he assigns to it what answers to prayer he desires.  What foolishness!  Rejoice in your maker; be joyful in your King.

·         v3: Praise should be exuberant.  To join singing with appropriate dance and appropriate instrumentation is simply a means of expressing the greatest command: to love the LORD our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.

·         v4: The LORD speaks lovingly of His people.  It is interesting that in Jeremiah frequently God addresses “My people”, and yet the message is one of chastisement.  They never cease to be His treasured possession.  But notice that it is the humble, those who come to the Lord on bended knee, who are made beautiful.  And since praise itself is beautiful (Psalm 33:1), we are most beautiful when we give unhindered praise to our God!

·         v5: Even in the night, when the dread of fear and worry so often seeks to attract our attention, may we rather be joyful in glory, singing aloud.

·         v6-9a:  Does not this remind us of our Lord Jesus Christ who will someday come in judgment with a double-edged sword coming from His mouth (Rev. 1:16; 2:12)?  We often wonder what the saints will do when they come with the returning King of Kings (Rev. 19:14).  Perhaps this is the answer: they will shout the high praises of God while judgment is executed on His enemies.  Let us remember that these “nations” and “kings” are those who have arrogantly stood against God (Psalm 2).  These He “will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thess. 2:9) when He comes to rule the earth in righteousness.

Father in heaven, my Maker and my King, truly I have no honor but to praise You!  May it be so this day!  Praise the LORD!