Psalm 149 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 149 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Verse 2Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Verse 3Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
Verse 4For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
Verse 5Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
Verse 6Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
Verse 7to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
Verse 8to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,
Verse 9to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!
Devotion
The campaign ads, the attacks, the incessant bickering and baiting is almost done—just hang in there. Though after next Tuesday, we may be ready to "bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron!"
This psalm has some brutal imagery after a lovely opening invitation to praise God. But that imagery serves a purpose: it isn't our might that sets things right; it is faithfulness and praise that advance the kingdom of God. The glory of God's faithful, beloved ones is when we enact justice on behalf of others, binding up those who seek to pull us away from God. After all, it's God's justice that causes people to sing those new songs and praise God almighty in the first place.
Prayer
For peace and bipartisan work, we pray O God. May we sing loudly of your good work in and around us so others may hear and believe. Amen.