Psalm 149:1 English Standard Version (ESV) Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!

While I do get some of Psalm 149 with understanding, context sometimes eludes me. This is a common occurrence when reading Old Testament where context is often related to the Jewish experience and I do not have that history.

When reading commentaries about this Psalm we may discover some telling truths that wise men that went before us can share. I discovered this telling truth in Matthew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 149.

“The saints must praise God, saints in profession, saints in power, for this is the intention of their sanctification; they are devoted to the glory of God, and renewed by the grace of God, that they may be unto him for a name and a praise.” M. Henry

The purpose of praise is made a little clearer. While I shy away from words like “must” I have to admit that the results of praise is directly connected to sanctification. The intention of sanctification becomes a focal point here. We are all sanctified and we all should praise God, but it is even more important where those in the profession and power should do so. They are our leaders, they set the tone for all the people whose lives are influenced by their position.

This goes beyond the fellowship of the saints and extends itself into the national discourse and international relationships. If our leaders fail to praise God and glorify God it weakens our sanctification as a nation. Sanctification is our protective covering, our separation from evil. A people set aside to God will find His blessing because we have not forgotten who we are and the God we worship.

How are we doing as a nation? Is our protective covering being weakened?

That is not a political comment, it is spiritual truth.

John 14:15 English Standard Version (ESV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

A hearty thanks to my best friend for reminding me that Jesus said this also. In yesterday’s offering it was keeping His Word which was logos, the spoken word. Here today just a few short verses prior to John 14:23 we see Jesus asking us to keep His commandments.

Commandments in the Greek here is entolē which means “that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office”. This refers back to the Mosaic Law and the priesthood. Only one who has authority can issue laws. God is the law maker and the priests enacted the rights of atonement. Christ is both.

14:15 came before 14:23 and that is not surprising as God is a God of order. Things that take place first have priority over the actions that follow. 14:15 requires an acknowledgement of authority. We must accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of our life, giving Him the authority over our lives. Then He becomes our Savior.

In 14:23 the word is logos, the spoken word. At the end of that verse Jesus declares that He and the Father will make their home in us. You cannot expect God to move in and not take ownership of the house. All things have been given into His hands. We make Him the Lord of our lives, He moves in, takes ownership and speaks to us in a close personal relationship.

This was the great stumbling block for the traditional Jew. They could not accept that the God of all creation would come and live in sinners. They failed to accept the far reaching effects of the atoning work of the Cross. For them the priesthood and the ritualist offerings was the only atonement they would accept. While they might have been astonished by all that Jesus said and did, they would not accept Him as God and Chief Priest.

He is both.