First Sunday of Advent (Ps) December 2nd

Psalm 149:1-9

 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! 

⁴  For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; 

he adorns the humble with salvation. 

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 

and two-edged swords in their hands, 

⁷  to execute vengeance on the nations 

and punishments on the peoples, 

⁸  to bind their kings with chains 

and their nobles with fetters of iron, 

⁹  to execute on them the judgment written! 

This is honor for all his godly ones. 

Praise the Lord! 

Praise the Lord!  He loves his people like a great treasure.  He cares for them and protects them.  He has provided for them in many ways.  But this is how he treats the children of Zion.  God also provides justice against those who mistreat his people.

The Psalmist speaks both blessings and curses here.  He speaks about how nice it is for those who praise the Lord.  But he also speaks punishing the wicked.  He talks about binding Kings with chains like a slave.  He talks about judging people of the earth.

The question is which side of Judgment are you on?  Are you one of those treasured ones?  Or are you awaiting judgment?  The answer may be scary for most of us.  Because we are all awaiting Judgment, but yet some of us are still God's treasured possessions.

Praise the Lord!  He has sent his only begotten Son into human flesh to make us our brother.  He has died for the forgiveness of your sins.  It is this son of Man who calls us to be children of Zion.  Jesus Christ washes us clean and presents us to his own Father as Adopted Children.  Praise the Lord!