Psalm 149:3-5
v. 4 “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.”
If we pair the above verse with that of another of the Hallelujah Psalms, 147: 10-11 we find that God does not “delight in the strength of the horse” nor take pleasure in the “legs of a man.” The psalmist is referring to the warhorse and the legs of the infantryman. Power and might does not impress God. Rather, “the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”
Recently, in one of Garrison Keillor’s monologs on Lake Wobegon he referred to the people as being reluctant to seek help. They could handle their problems on their own. It was only when they were at the point of snapping that they might knock on Pastor Ingqvist’s door. The Psalmist knew a long time ago what we Lutherans are still trying to get through our heads. The Lord does not take pleasure in insisting that we can trust our own ability to successfully face the fiercest odds. Rather he delights in those who place their hope in his steadfast love.
He is our Maker and King. ( 149:2) He is also our Savior. He dresses us in salvation. As long as the Lord has provided us with garments of salvation, we might just as well wear them. St. Paul identifies when God provided us with his fashionable apparel. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
No wonder the Psalmist calls on the people to dance and sing, to the accompaniment of the tambourine and the lyre. We’re wearing Christ. Such is the exultation of our glory that he even says that we may find ourselves singing for joy in their beds. Of course singing in bed may not be appreciated by our spouse, but wouldn’t it be better than tossing and turning over the worries of the day? After a night of singing in bed we can dance our way into church on Sunday. There is the danger that if we take the psalmist literally, we may find ourselves in a psychiatrist’s office or pastor’s study on Monday.
Prayer: O Christ, our King, we praise you in the Church! When we worship and when we are alone, we adore you. Give us courage to engage in spiritual warfare-against the world, our flesh, and the devil-with the two edged sword of your word, and grant us the victory. Amen
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