Psalm 149:4-9
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edge sword in their hands,
to execute vengence on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,
to execute on them the judgment decreed.
This is the glory for all his faithful ones.
The middle verse, which is verse 6, gets me totally. “Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two edge swords in their hands…” Not normally a pairing that I would put together when I think of God. The praises in the throats of God’s people, and a sword in their hands to destroy those who do not follow God. Sounds a little like a philosophy that could lead to a “Christian” government destroying another “non-Christian” nation (i.e. Crusades, etc). There seems to be a belief of a philosophy by the psalmis that God destroys the wicked, and there seems to be the desire expressed by the psalmist that God should do it. This is so different from my thoughts toward those that do not know God. Where the psalmist wants them destroyed, my heart is that all would find forgiveness, love, and freedom in Christ. I don’t see in the Psalms the desire to see the wicked redeemed, only to see them punished and destroyed.
Why? And what does this mean about God? What does it mean regarding God’s redemption plan? Where is the relationship aspect of God in the Old Testament? I recognize that Jesus came and changed everything, but does this philosophy or mindset of the Old Testemant and the vengance of God find any relevance in our world today? Or is it done away with?
I am taking a class on the Old Testament and the Law of Moses this winter, and am so totally excited.
God, I truly desire to know your Scriptures,
that I may know you, and teach others about you.
Please fill me with patience to learn, insight to see you and your plan,
willingness to walk through doubt and confusion to find your Truth.
I love you, thank you for all you have done for me.
Amen.
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