The Doxology and the Happy Song

Why aren't we praising, singing, rejoicing, and dancing like wild men and women? The Psalmist tells us that we have reason to party. 

Let's evaluate our lives. Why don't we truly live celebrative lives all the time? It should be normative for every follower of Jesus.

1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
Psalm 149

Why don't we live out verses 1-3? Because we don't really and truly and deeply believe what's next in the Psalm...

4a For the LORD takes pleasure in His people... Psalm 149

We believe that God takes pleasure in others. It might be true for other people. But we don't deeply believe that it's true about us. Can you honestly say, "God takes pleasure in me?"

May I say it this way? Your picture is on His refrigerator. He can't wait to show you off to everyone on His Facebook page. 

Because He takes pleasure in you (even when you think you don't deserve it and even when you think it's not true) He does even more amazing wonders for you. See verse 4b!

4b He adorns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149

You've been adorned - made beautiful! With salvation. And don't forget that salvation has its tenses - past, present, and future. We have been saved from the penalty of sin. That's justification. We are being saved from the power of sin. That's sanctification. We will be saved saved from the presence of sin. That's glorification. We've been adorned with salvation! 

This is why our praise should be exuberant, extravagant, and exultant.

5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats... Psalm 149

I think I will go sing the Doxology now! And who knows? I might even sing The Happy Song! And more! 

Want to join me?