Why does the call go out to sing a new song? Are the old ones not enough? Have they not said everything necessary?...
Why does the call go out to sing a new song? Are the old ones not enough? Have they not said everything necessary?
Yes, the old songs preserve necessary experience, and they cannot be rejected. But every day the Lord addresses us anew, and the choice we have made must be constantly reaffirmed, again and again.
How good it would be if we could repent once and for all and begin a new life without fear of turning away from the path we had chosen! But as long as we live, we remain free to choose not only good but also evil. Choosing the right path does not set us on rails along which we can travel straight into the Kingdom of Heaven without thinking and without turning aside. A new song is therefore a constant return to the sources of our faith, a daily reaffirmation of our faithfulness to God and His commandments.
The saints are granted the right to execute judgment upon sinners. It seems that the key concept here is judgment that is written down. Mention of judgment is too often associated with arbitrary power, but judgment that is written down is judgment consistent with God’s justice, not with our own notions and ideas of arbitrariness.
149 An exhortation to praise God for his love to his people, Psa 149:1-5. And for enabling them to overcome their enemies, Psa 149:6-9.
149:4 The Lord - He rejoiceth over them to do them good.Beautify - Heb. adorn, make them amiable and honourable in the eyes of the world, who now hate and despise them.The meek - All true Israelites are such.
149:5 In glory - For the honour which God putteth upon them.Beds - By night as well as by day.
149:7 Vengeance - For all their cruelties and injuries towards God's people. This was literally accomplished by David upon the Philistines, Ammonites, Syrians and other neighbouring nations.
149:9 Written - Appointed and declared in the holy scripture.