Instruction
Scripture: Psalm 149
This is the second-last psalm in the Book of Psalms. It is
one of the “Hallelujah Psalms,” beginning and ending with, “hallelujah,” in the
original Hebrew, which is translated, “Praise the Lord.” The psalm teaches the
reader to praise God as their Maker and Savior. It declares that God delights
in His people purely as an act of grace. It also shows that God’s people will
participate in executing God’s Judgements on the earth in some way because of
God’s judgement. The effect of the psalm is to call us to praise the Lord of
his grace and mercy, and to rejoice in His righteous judgement against His
enemies.
Teaching
This psalm starts out in a very comfortable manner for
modern Christians, speaking of singing and praising God. It should be noted
that verse 4 gives the motivation for such praise, and that motivation is that
God takes pleasure in us and gives salvation to the humble; in other words, His
actions toward us and driven by His grace. Such a wonderful thought is with us
when we gather for worship and even when we go to bed at night.
The psalm becomes a little uncomfortable for us in verse 6 as
it begins to speak of two-edged swords, vengeance, punishment, and judgement.
We do not like to think of such things that our own sins deserve. However, as
we speak God’s Word (which St. Paul describes as the Sword of the Spirit) it
often has a two-edged impact on people: on the one hand it declares God’s Law
and condemnation of our sins, and on the other, it proclaims God’s mercy and
grace.
Life
Is it right for us to pray for God to judge the wicked? Is
it correct for us to long for God to execute vengeance on those who hate Him
and us? The answer is: yes. But this is only because God’s judgement and
vengeance are rooted in His holiness, perfection, justice, and righteousness.
In short: It is right because God is right. However, any desire on our part for
vengeance or judgement will also be tempered by the knowledge that we ourselves
are forgiven sinners who deserved such vengeance and judgement, but God chose
to have mercy on us, and Jesus bore the brunt of God’s vengeance and judgement
we were due. In the end, we long for God to return and to set all things right;
bringing us to a day when all people will know God. At this time, our own life
of faith will be unmolested by sin and the temptations, tempters, and torments
of this life.
Prayer
O God, we praise and worship You with singing because You
take pleasure in us and adorn us with the salvation Jesus won for us by dying
and rising again.
Thank You for dealing with us graciously and lovingly. We
also give You thanks for the hope that one day You will return in judgement and
set all things right.
Forgive us for times that we have longed for judgement and
vengeance apart from Your holiness and compassion. Forgive us for overlooking
what our own sin deserves and for our lack of compassion.
Grant that all Your people would speak Your Word in such a
way that it both cuts and heals those who hear it, and that we would speak the
message that saves people from Your punishment. Amen.
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