Psalm 149
Continual is the call to praise our God. May the call
never fail to warm our hearts!
1. "Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, and
His praise in the congregation of saints."
Those who can become weary of God's praise would find
heaven's work a tedious task. Let us praise Him in our closets, in our
private hours. Let us praise Him, also, when we frequent the congregation of
public worshipers. Thus, when we leave earth, we shall change our place, but
not our work.
2, 3. "Let Israel rejoice in Him who made him; let the
children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name in the
dance; let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp."
Can we restrain praises to our God when we remember that
He gave us being, and faculties to conceive His goodness and laud His name?
Let us remember, also, that as King of kings and Lord of lords He reigns for
us, and should reign in us. When this joy swells warmly in our hearts, it
will be manifested by all our powers, and throughout all our time.
4. "For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will
beautify the meek with salvation."
It is the wonder of wonders that the great and glorious
God should stoop to regard such creatures as we are. But wonder is
immeasurably magnified when we are taught that thoughts of us, are pleasure
to Him. Let gratitude constrain our hearts to praise without measure and
without end. Not only does He take pleasure in His people, He beautifies the
meek with salvation! Meekness is their lovely characteristic. This grace
proves them to be followers of Him who avows Himself as meek and lowly in
heart. Beautiful robes of salvation are prepared for them. These garments
are heavenly in structure, fit for the Bride, the Lamb's wife, suited to
adorn the palace of our God.
5. "Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing
aloud upon their beds."
Abundant cause impels the saints to praise. They have
received grace as foretaste of glory. Let them realize this, and let them
sing aloud as if their promised state filled their hearts with foretaste.
Let not the shades of night entirely suppress this happy exercise. In the
night season, let not praises be wholly silent. When the earthly tabernacle
molders in the bed of death, the liberated spirit will sing with full
intelligence and joy.
6-9. "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen,
and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their
nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written; this
honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord."
Great is the power of the Word when uttered by praising
lips. It will subdue all the enemies of Christ's.