7-19-10

 

Psalm 5:11

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you."

 

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;""

I have always found these kinds of statements interesting.  The type of statement has a name, but I have forgotten; perhaps I'll remember before I'm finished. 

 

David is calling on the Lord to do what God already does.  This is effectively a statement of what God does, and yet it is an agreement, a desire that what God normally does He would in fact do.  

 

In this case the desire is that God would cause His People to rejoice.  Rejoicing is the definitive mark of one who belongs to God (aside from love:  perhaps one is the attitude and the other is the action).  Joy works in all circumstances (as does love).  So David desires that God would cause His people to reoice.

 

"let them ever sing for joy,"

Singing is the outward expression of joy.  It is saying, "hey I'm here and I belong to God!  Isn't He great!"

 

"and spread your protection over them,"

We can sing because God protects us through whatever difficulty we are experiencing.  He does not allow His people to suffer apart from His love and guidance.  But, oh, it may feel like it sometimes.  Hence the call to 'let those who take refuge in You rejoice.'

 

"that those who love your name may exult in you."

This protection has a purpose. The  purpose is that God's people may sing, may loudly proclaim what God has done for them.  Exulting in God is the expression of great joy and gladness that God is (or whatever you are exulting in) great!

 

Lord may I exult in you today.

 

Thank you Father for your protection.

Thank you Son for your power.

Thank you spirit for your Joy!

 

Rejoicing with you,

Pastor Greg