Journaling — Psalm 149
It’s my desire that sharing from my personal journal is giving others a practical tool for digging deeper into Scripture as well as personalizing the truth of God’s Word. It feels appropriate to wrap up this week with a psalm of joyful celebration, Psalm 149.
The psalms are arranged like a mirror of life, full of joy and lament, carefree singing and staged performance, quiet meditation and loud rants, and then the last psalms, as leaving instructions for the next generations: Whatever happens, whatever you do, don’t forget to praise the LORD, praise the LORD, praise the LORD! Now at the end of the Bible’s hymnbook, the next to last psalm — vv. 1-4:
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, (Every day provides a new song to sing.)
His praise in the assembly of the godly! (Join His people in worship.)
Let Israel be glad in his Maker; Let the children of Zion rejoice in the King!(as when Christ entered Jerusalem)
Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre!(as when David was king)
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation (our hope and reason for gratitude)
And You join us in the battle and in the song (Zeph. 3:17). We live in You and for You, O Lord. If we abide in You—live, breathe, have our being—and Your words abide in us, we may ask whatever we wish . . .by this the Father is glorified… and Your joy may be in us, and our joy may be made full (John 15:7-11).
You quietly said to me not long ago, “I miss your singing.” I miss it too, Lord. The concern of others hearing it, the aging of my vocal cords, really more from lack of use, reserved only for Sunday mornings when my full, whole voice would be overwhelming. I long to sing at the top of my lungs from the depths of my soul. So, why am I so silent? Is it really easier and more comfortable? Is it more natural to be solemn and quiet when You have given a song for Creation to sing? Is grumbling really easier and more natural than gratitude, or have I just locked away the song, hiding it so deeply, watching it so carefully like a pot, so it does not spill out onto myself and others?
Oh, beautify [this] afflicted one with salvation.
Psalm 149:4 NASB
Psalm 149:5–6:
Let the godly exult in glory; (Don’t hold back!)
Let them sing for joy on their beds. (as we rise in the morning and go to sleep at night)
Let the high praises of God be in their throats (but not stuck there!)
And two-edged swords in their hands…
For the Word [the Song] of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Just as “a sharp double-edged sword” came from Your mouth in John’s vision (Rev. 1:16), may Your Word abide in my heart and come from my mouth when temptations lure and attack or when another needs encouragement, and like the psalm, may I begin and end with…
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 149:7
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
No matter our condition, age, or circumstance, every day “is holy to our Lord… do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). Frame each day as you rise from your bed and as you return to sleep in the same way the writer of Psalm 149 did—“Praise the LORD!”
PRAYER
Father, I confess that many days it is hard to give You praise when the brokenness of this world is overwhelming or when I simply forget in the midst of my busyness and self-focus. But from deep within me, even deeper than my guilt and shame, let the seed You have planted within my soul come forth to sing, “Praise the Lord!” Amen.
Marlys Roos is the publications coordinator for the PCA’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries. She, her husband, and son live in Atlanta and are members of Perimeter Church.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.