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"For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation."

~ Psalm 149:4

 

This is a psalm that has me thinking deeply.  In simple terms, it is a psalm that clearly directs me to “Praise the LORD!” (v.1,9), and to do so with singing and instrumentation and dancing (yes!…the Bible says we are to dance…) and with the assembly of God’s people (v.1,3).  From young to old, we are to be glad and rejoice in our Maker and King (v.2).

My greatest comfort and confidence from this psalm is found in verse 4 (quoted above).

When I slow down my reading of this psalm, it is verses 5-9 that cause me to think more deeply…to ‘reflect’ on what is being said/taught here.  Take your own time to see what the psalmist is saying are outcomes/purposes of having “high praises of God in [our] throats” (v.6), “exult[ing] in glory” (v.5) and “sing[ing] for joy” (v.5).

Our best praise of God comes when he use his own words as found in the Scriptures.  We know that the Word of God is a “two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12)(v.6).  What is it but God’s Word that will execute vengeance and punish the peoples (v.7,9)?  What is it but God’s Word that will bind kings and their nobles (v.8)?  How amazing it is that God would use me (us) and the praises in my throat as means for him to accomplish these things.  Of course, not fully or finally, but nonetheless actually.  And he does so to my honor (v.9).

PRAISE THE LORD!!