Praise the Lord, for He delights in His Saints!
In Psalm 149, the psalmist calls believers to praise the Lord because He takes pleasure in His saints (4) and honours them (9). These are the two parts to this psalm, v 1-4, and v 5-9.
The psalmist begins with a call to believers to gather together and to Praise the Lord by singing a new song. This new song is a song celebrating new experiences of joy and hope and every new example of the faithfulness of God (1). The word for “congregation” is the word “beloved ones.” It is speaking of those whom the Father loves because they are faithful to His covenant. The psalmist continues with a call to the nation of Israel to rejoice and praise God, who is their Creator and King (2). This is to be exuberant, enthusiastic praise with singing and instrumentation (3). The reason for all of this praise: God delights in His people (4). God takes pleasure in His godly ones in the present and into all eternity. He glorifies (beautifies) them with His eternal salvation. Brethren, every Sunday is an opportunity to sing a new song of praise together with other believers celebrating God’s continued faithfulness in our lives. God loves His children and has saved them from their sins through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
The second part of the psalm is the honour that the Lord bestowed on His people (5-9). God will execute judgment upon the wicked who oppress His people in vindication of their affliction (9). The pagan rulers of the earth will face His retribution. Brethren, all believers can praise God with “high praise” (6) because He is just in His dealings with the righteous and the unrighteous.