This Hymn of
Praise divides into two surprising parts that may be seen in this way:
(Vv 1–4) Let
us praise God with song
(Vv 5–9) Let
us praise God with a sword
The first
half invites God’s people to “Sing to the
LORD a new song!” because he is both our Maker and our King. This should
lead to exuberant worship in which each worshiper plays a part in giving honor
to God. In this exhilarating exercise even dance has a place (this is practiced
among Orthodox Jews; the movie “Fiddler on the Roof” is a good example of this
kind of praise).
The church
is given a similar missionary charge, to extend the kingdom of Christ
throughout the earth (Matthew 28.18–20). While our power is not military, it is
by means of the same Word of God that we engage in this work. Military
metaphors are used throughout the New Testament to picture this work:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not
waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of
the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments
and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every
thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when
your obedience is complete” (2 Corinthians 10.3-6; see also Ephesians
6.13–17).
It is
important for us to remember that when Jesus announced his public ministry in
Nazareth, he read in the synagogue meeting from the Isaiah scroll:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me
to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the
opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the
Lord's favor” (Isaiah 61.1–2a).
He ended his
reading in the middle of verse 2, not reading the remainder of the verse:”…and the day of vengeance of our God”
(Isaiah 61.2b).
He didn’t
finish the sentence not because vengeance is not a part of his commission as
the Messiah-King, but because that is part of his second appearance, not his
first. He came in humility the first time to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19.10); he will appear a second time
“in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on
those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord
Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1.8).
It is an
honor for all God’s people to be a part of extending his gracious rule into the
lives of people all over the world (Psalm 149.9). We do this as our righteous
lives and words shine the light of the gospel to both reveal the disfiguring
effects of sin in people’s lives and to show them the way to God.[2]
Collect for Psalm 149: Lord, let Israel rejoice in you and
acknowledge you as creator and redeemer. In your loving-kindness embrace us
now, that we may proclaim the wonderful truths of salvation with your saints in
glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]
[1] All
Saints, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[3] Collect
for Psalm 149, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church © 1995
The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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