LOOKING TO SALVATION

Today’s psalm appropriately rounds off our readings this week. It expresses the same aspect of “now and not yet” that David has experienced. For the king, restoration is well underway, though tensions remain. Israel, too, knows both spiritual downfall and renewal, even after judgment in exile. Just as the king’s reinstatement is not yet complete, so Israel’s reinstatement in the post-exilic period, in which this psalm probably belongs, awaits fulfillment. The implementation of God’s grand plans seem slow in coming. Yet the people are encouraged here to sing a new song to the one who created them and who is their King (1,2). Something fresh has begun, and God’s people are called in this psalm to rejoice and praise him as they anticipate the future completion of their salvation (4). Such worship may have included a ritual dance with swords (6) symbolizing the final victory over the enemies of God and his people, the ultimate expression of God’s justice against the evil in this world (7–9).

Christians, too, are called to worship God not only when we see him fulfill his purposes, but also as we still await our final redemption. This is our expression of trust in the God who shows faithful covenant love to his people. For some who live with suffering and pain daily, it may be a great longing of their hearts. For others who feel settled and comfortable in their lives, it may be a mild challenge to desire this ultimate reality. Our worship also reminds us of the future. As we partake of the Lord’s supper, we proclaim the Lord’s death, his definitive victory in breaking the power of sin and death until he comes. Indeed, as did Israel, we also know that the outcome is assured because this victory has been written (9) in the Scriptures long before we arrived on the scene.

How much of the spiritual horsepower of this psalm can you claim for your church’s worship service? At the next service, see if you can increase it for yourself a few notches.