Little songs of massive victory
Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:
What did I like about today’s passage?
“Praise the Lord” isn’t subtle here, hidden away like our faith can be among opposition or blurted out quickly like a cliched greeting among friends. These final Psalms are meetings with God in which the wholehearted, open praise of God is so massive, it’s unmissable.
In Psalm 148, I love how the scope of praise for God is pictured as immense. When we join in with it, we are not alone, quite the opposite. People praising God are part of a chorus of creation connecting young and old, men and women, rulers and everybody else, nature and the universe. What do we have in common? God as our source. Praising him connects us all.
Psalm 149 makes it clear that praise is not empty and gratuitous. God’s kingdom is a movement against suffering, injustice and powers that oppose God for selfish reasons. It’s a forceful reminder that God wins these battles. His love overcomes, even when opposed by powerful kings and presidents. This is more than a praise song, it’s a victory song.
Psalm 150, then, isn’t just a nice expression of praise. It’s a triumphant expression of total, massive victory.
Maybe that’s where we feel we are today. Maybe not – there were plenty of Psalms before this coming from suffering, expressions of grief, pain, worry, anger and frustration in a search for hope. This is where they are all leading. We have lived with suffering, we have hope today, and victory to look forward to. When we believe that, we can join the praise.
What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
God meets with us where we are across many different states of mind and heart echoed across the whole book of Psalms. When we meet with God and are open to be moved by him, he lifts us up and turns us in the direction of hope and future victory.
He also gives us plenty to celebrate now, including knowing that we are his people and part of his creation always, even if we don’t know what will happen to us tomorrow.
God invites us to join him in victory and in his work of creative renewal – “Sing to the Lord a new song” – the end of this huge book of Psalms is not the end of fresh expressions of praise and worship. It’s the beginning of our next steps on a lifelong walk with him.
What am I going to do differently as a result?
I have enjoyed this year long trip through all the Psalms with you and the other writers who have contributed to Bible In A Year 2020. I’m encouraged by this to celebrate God’s victory over death even while disease is rising among us. Over the next few months, I’ll be spending less time writing notes like this and more time writing new music, perhaps some new songs. I would like to grow in my ability to share a worshipful heart honestly and faithfully.
Who am I going to share this with?
My family, and others at church who enjoy making music and writing.