praise and sword

Let the high praises of God be in their throats

and two-edged swords in their hands,

Psalm 149:6

Now here is a quite manly portion of Old Testament poetry! It calls for men of God to be both shouters of God's praise and instruments of God's justice. I think it is hasty and an immature hermeneutics that sees the "two-edged sword" of Hebrews 4:12 (the Word of God) as the focus of this psalm. Instead, the literal reading is preferred. The two-edged sword is a weapon of war. It forces God's vengeance and punishment (Psalm 149:7), it helps take prisoners captive (Psalm 149:8), and it is used to bring God's decreed judgment upon His enemies (Psalm 149:9).

David was a warrior King and if he is the author of this psalm, then this image makes perfect sense. God had called him to praise Him by leading well and judging wrongdoing as the king and commander in chief of Israel. God gave David and Israel victory by military conquest over the enemies of the nation. God called the king to capture foes and bring vengeance on those who hated Israel or threatened the throne. And he did all these vital tasks of governing and protecting the nation with the praises of God on his lips.

For David, a commitment to the worship of Yahweh was also a commitment to protect the nation. And the way to protect and lead Israel involved not only power and military authority, but most importantly, wielding those things while worshiping the Lord. He would fail as a leader if he did not do both. Spiritual integrity had to be matched with civil authority.

I may not literally go into my day with a weapon on my hip (though many good people do so as members of law enforcement or the military), but I do take away from this psalm the necessity of heartfelt praise to go with me in whatever I do today. May the high praises of God be in my throat as my battle cry today!