Two Edged Swords in Their Hands – Psalm 149

Is the church a cruise ship or a battleship?  From the perspective of Scripture, we should be more a battleship, prepared in the martial arts of fighting against principalities and powers and the forces of spiritual darkness (Ephesians 6:10).  We have fellowship with one another, for sure, but it is the fellowship of those who go to battle every day.  We’re on mission, not vacation.

Praise the LORD!

Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!  Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!  Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!  For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.  Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.  Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written!  This is honor for all his godly ones.  Praise the LORD!  (Psalm 149 ESV)

In the dangerous world Israel lived in, surrounded by enemies who would destroy them if they could (not unlike today), rejoicing in Yahweh, dancing and singing before Him, and being ready to go to war in His strength, was what it meant to know and serve Him. 

We have surrounding enemies as well in the host of demonic spirits who would devour us.  But we belong to Jesus and in his name we are ready to bind them with chains and exult in God’s glory.