INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 149
This is a PUBLIC PSALM written for GOD'S PEOPLE. They rejoice with all TRIUMPH and VICTORY. They okay with MUSIC, with their HARPS and CYMBALS, and lots of DANCING. Their enemies are "vanquished" and punished. There is "self justification, vengeance and oppression" , and their "double edged sword" is a metaphor for GOD'S WORD.
" For the Word of God is alive, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart." Psalm 4:12 (NIV)
Sometimes the hardest words and prayers are PSALMS AND HALLELUJAHS. Our journey often includes times of "sadness, gloom, loneliness and depression". HALLELUJAH is two Hebrew words: "HALA" and "YAH". We glorify and magnify our Father God with PRAISES AND HALLELUJAHS.
In GOD'S PRAISES we are often thinking about GOD'S PEOPLE, and their "relationship with Him". He refers to those in "Zion". Psalm 149 is believed to be written by Jewish Psalters , in the time of Nehemiah. when their Jewish Walls and Temple were being rebuilt. Each part of this PSALM was a time of SUFFERING AND WARFARE, yet they were singing PRAISES AND HALLELUJAHS.
"HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LORD! Sing to the Lord a brand new song, HIS PRAISE in the assembly of His FAITHFUL PEOPLE (the company of those who love Him).......Let them PRAISE HIS NAME with DANCING and MAKING MUSIC to Him with timbrels and harps (strike up the band and make great music!)........This is the GLORY of HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE (all who love God in the seat of honour). PRAISE THE LORD! HALLELUJAH! " Psalm 149:1, 3 & 9 (MSG/NASB)
THE PEOPLE OF GOD CELEBRATE THEIR FATHER - Psalm 149:1-5; 2 Samuel 6:12-23
"O Israel, REJOICE IN YOUR MAKER. People of Jerusalem, EXULT IN YOUR KING......For the Lord delights (takes pleasure) in His people; He crowns the humble with VICTORY (He will beautify the afflicted one with SALVATION), Let the FAITHFUL (GODLY ONES) REJOICE that He honours them. Let them SING FOR JOY as they lie in their beds." Psalm 149:2, 3&5 (NLT/NASB)
The people are celebrating their CREATOR and KING. They PRAISE HIM with DANCE AND MUSIC. With the blessing of GOD'S PEOPLE, the Psalmist prompts their PRAISE. The Psalmist speaks mainly of two things in these Verses:
* We are to sing to the Lord with PRAISES AND HALLELUJAHS.
* We need to be joyful and glad, with MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
We are reminded that David often uses his harps and tambourines, with his music and dancing. One of these specific times was when he brought back the ARK OF GOD back into his city in Jerusalem.
"David danced before the Lord with his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and blowing of rams horns." 2 Samuel 6:14&15 (NLT)
Like David, I used to love to SING and WORSHIP the Lord, SINGING PRAISES on my morning exercises and walks. These were usually David's Psalms. One of my favourite being:
"This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)
The whole point of Psalm 149:1-5 was to pour out God's "abundance" to share this with others.
Recently Mark and I have been blessed with NEW JOBS, and the HEALING OF MY STROKE. Yet, we still suffer, at the end of each day with tiredness and grumpiness. One week ago we came home from work and our truck had blown up. This has brought Mark many days of stress. We haven't had as much time as we like to watch our Church Online and times of prayer. But it is great to know that, as Children of God, we have not been "rejected" by our Father and His Son Jesus. We are encouraged to know that they are still "lifting us up", making us "beautiful" and receiving "deliverance" from our afflictions.
"The Lord will always beautify and glorify his SUFFERING SAINTS. We have ultimate DELIVERANCE and SALVATION, and we can share ETERNITY with Him; in a place in Heaven, where there is no SUFFERING, GRIEF, PAIN, ILLNESS, DEATH OR TEARS." Charles Swindoll.
LIFTING OUR PRAISES IN TROUBLE AND WARFARE - Psalm 14:6-9; Nehemiah 9:38-11:1-21
"Let the PRAISES OF GOD be in your mouth of the TWO-EDGED SWORD in their hands." Psalm 146:6 (NASB)
"The two weapons are not LITERAL SWORDS. As the DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD we have the WORD OF GOD." Nicky Gumbel'
"Stay faithful in the Word of God - the Sword of the Spirit" Ephesians 6:17 (MSG)
We have a gift of salvation, but like our "TWO EDGED SWORD" we don't have to earn it. As the WORD OF GOD, like the people in Nehemiah's day, we can be encouraged with all OUR CHALLENGES. We too have "ENEMIES" and we can maintain our "BATTLE READINESS." VICTORY is inevitable if we TRUST IN THE LORD. We don't need to have negative thoughts, but we may have trials in our WARFARE (temptations) against the DEVIL'S TRIALS.
"Execute the vengeance of the nations and punishment on people. To bind the kings in chains and their nobles with fetters, to execute them with the judgements written. This is the HONOUR for the GODLY ONES. PRAISE THE LORD!" Psalm 149:7-9 (NASB)
Remember, we are always at "WAR" and it may strike us at any time. We need to continue to PRAY and PRAISE, as we STUDY GOD'S WORD. There is a hint in this passage that Jesus will be "crowned". We can delight in His blessings, as we too are "crowned with His salvation", and we can be honoured with His relationship.
'PRAISE equips us for BATTLE, empowering us in the FIGHT, and encourages us for the PROMISED VICTORY. Don't drop your defenses, don't become disheartened and DON'T GIVE UP." Charles Swindoll
"Lord, thank you that we are raised up with Christ in the Heavenly realms. Help us to make the most of every opportunity to bring Good News to others." Nicky Gumbel
CONCLUSION- LOTS OF PRAISES AND HALLELUJAHS - Psalm 149:1-9
We are encourages to SING OUR PRAISES and HALLELUJAHS to the Lord, regardless of CIRCUMSTANCES or SUFFERING. As long as we can express HONESTY, we will express our CHRISTIAN PRAISES in every way.
Charles Wesley was not only GREAT HYMN WRITER, but a GREAT MAN OF PRAISE. His favourite hymn for many people was: "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing." Not only did he remind us of PRAISE and HALLELUJAHS, but they always led to TRIUMPH and VICTORY.
"This is the Day that the Lord Has Made", Les Garrett (Composer), 1967, Integrity Music/Scripture in Song.
"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing", Charles Wesley (Composer), 1739, Karl Glazer (Performer and Arranger), 1828, You Tube
"Holy Bible - New American Standard Bible." (2000) The Lockman Foundation
"Holy Bible - New International Version" (2011) Biblica.
"The Message - the Bible in Commentary English" (2018) Eugene H Peterson, Tyndale Publishers
"Holy Bible - New Living Translation" (2015) Tyndale Publishers
Pat and David Alexander, "The Handbook to the Bible - Fourth Edition", 2009, Lion Hudson.
Nicky Gumbel, "The Bible - Classic Version", 2024, Alpha/You Version
Charles, Swindoll, "Living in Psalms - Enduring the Daily Grind", 2012, Worthy Publishing
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