In this psalm, the author responds to a divine deliverance of his people that was visible to all the nations. The Lord had used his power to rescue them. This deliverance was in line with all his expressions of covenant faithfulness, and it was indisputable that he had come to the rescue of his people.
Perhaps the author is celebrating the deliverance from Babylon that God had given to his people (vv. 1-3). They now could sing a new song since the conditions of lament described in Psalm 137 had gone.
The author goes on to call the nations of the earth to praise God. Perhaps he has in mind that they should visit the temple, since his description of worship with musical instruments would fit with what happened there. The deliverance of his people could lead to the spiritual deliverance of other peoples on a global scale, and when such gathered together they would be able to make a joyful noise (vv. 4-6).
The restoration that they had experienced led the author to think about the joy that would occur when the Messiah came (vv. 7-9). It would extend to the creation itself. What wonderful days would be known when he comes and his kingdom covers the earth.
We are still waiting for that to happen, but we have greater evidence for anticipating it than the recovery of a nation from captivity, great though it was. In addition, we have the cross, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and the consequent spread of the gospel throughout the world.
If the song of the people of the psalmist’s day was new in expectation, what should ours be like?
No comments:
Post a Comment