This psalm is divided into two parts. Verses 1-5 give us a mandate to praise the Lord? Verse 1 tells us to sing a new song to the Lord and to sing it in church. New “Praise Songs” are appearing all the time; some are good; some are good and some have no distinguishable melody or poetic scheme so we can sing them by ourselves in the shower or while we are driving on the road.
Verse 2 says, “O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O Jerusalem, exult in your King”. Today this would be for the church; instead of one little geographical area, it is for all believers of every nation on earth. In another psalm, It says, “Revive us again that Your people may rejoice in You.” What God wants most from His people is first our praise and second our obedience. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 20:29-30)
In verse 3, the writer tells us to, “Praise His name with dancing, accompanied by the tambourine and harp.” When I was growing up, dancing was considered a sin. The decorum in church would not allow us to dance in praise to the Lord, and we were out of God’s will if we danced anywhere else. How was it people danced in the Temple courtyard; I have no idea!
Verses 4 and 5 are a great encouragement for the believer, “For the Lord delights in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. Let the faithful rejoice that He honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.” How wonderful is our God that He makes it so easy for us to contact Him; we can be standing, sitting, kneeling or lying on our bed. He delights in us similar to parents with a new baby.
Verses 6-9 were specifically for Israel as a nation. God had told them He would go before them to defeat their enemies. In similar ways, God allows nations to go to war to defeat their enemies. Individually though, Jesus said we are to love our enemies. “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5: 43-48.