"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 1 November 2016 with Scripture Psalm 149

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 1 November 2016 with Scripture Psalm 149 

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Psalm 149:1 Halleluyah!
Sing to Adonai a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2 Let Isra’el rejoice in their maker,
let Tziyon’s children take joy in their king.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
make melody to him with tambourine and lyre;
4 for Adonai takes delight in his people,
he crowns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the faithful exult gloriously,
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats,
but a two-edged sword in their hands
7 to carry out vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with chains
and put their nobles in irons,
9 to execute the judgments decreed for them;
for this will glorify all his faithful.
Halleluyah![Complete Jewish Bible]
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The campaign ads, the attacks, the incessant bickering and baiting is almost done--just hang in there. Though after next Tuesday, we may be ready to "bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron!"
This psalm has some brutal imagery after a lovely opening invitation to praise God. But that imagery serves a purpose: it isn't our might that sets things right; it is faithfulness and praise that advance the kingdom of God. The glory of God's faithful, beloved ones is when we enact justice on behalf of others, binding up those who seek to pull us away from God. After all, it's God's justice that causes people to sing those new songs and praise God almighty in the first place. 
For peace and bipartisan work, we pray O God. May we sing loudly of your good work in and around us so others may hear and believe. Amen.
Amanda Kempthorne, '09
Pastor, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, North Pole, Ala.
Psalm 149:1 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2 Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with fetters and their nobles with chains of iron,
9 to execute on them the judgment decreed. This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the Lord![New Revised Standard Version]
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