elders mar19

Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary The Church Militant (149:6–9)

Now, in terms of a holy war, such as those of Israel against the Canaanites, we sing of the retribution which will overtake the enemies of God. As a nation, Israel had been charged with executing this in literal fact at her entry into the promised land; and at the last day the angels, the armies of heaven, will accompany our Lord to judgment (2 Thess. 1:7ff.; cf. Rev. 19:11ff.). By contrast, the church’s enemies are ‘not … flesh and blood, but … the spiritual hosts of wickedness’; and her weapons are not those of the world Our two-edged sword (cf. 6) is the word of God, created to ‘destroy arguments (or ‘sophistries’, NEB) and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God’. Our equivalent of binding kings with chains (8) is to ‘take every thought captive to obey Christ’ (2 Cor. 10:5; cf. Eph. 6:12; Heb. 4:12).

1-

Psalm 149:1–5 NIV

Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

Undoubtedly the Lord is worthy of praise,

But what is also interesting is the words used to describe His people who sing his praise

‘faithful (to the Lord), v1,v5

Glad (in the Lord) v2

Humble (in the Lord) v4

Joyful (on their beds) v5 - end of the day we lie down and rejoice! What a great day to lie down exhausted from serving the Lord

Good teacher

Hospitable

Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary The Church Militant (149:6–9)

Now, in terms of a holy war, such as those of Israel against the Canaanites, we sing of the retribution which will overtake the enemies of God. As a nation, Israel had been charged with executing this in literal fact at her entry into the promised land; and at the last day the angels, the armies of heaven, will accompany our Lord to judgment (2 Thess. 1:7ff.; cf. Rev. 19:11ff.). By contrast, the church’s enemies are ‘not … flesh and blood, but … the spiritual hosts of wickedness’; and her weapons are not those of the world Our two-edged sword (cf. 6) is the word of God, created to ‘destroy arguments (or ‘sophistries’, NEB) and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God’. Our equivalent of binding kings with chains (8) is to ‘take every thought captive to obey Christ’ (2 Cor. 10:5; cf. Eph. 6:12; Heb. 4:12).

Let’s be faithful, Glad, humble and joyfully exhausted each day

Fighting the good fight.