Psalm 33:1-3 - April 2, 2009

Ps 33:1-3 "Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." NIV

James 5:13 simply conveys the life style of worship that Psalm 33 is calling us to; “Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” Our gracious heavenly father knows how he has formed our emotional makeup and he directs our steps in ways that cooperate with leaving us fulfilled, joyful and emotionally healthy. We are called to express our hearts through joyful song as a part of our friendship with God. When you are happy sing about it! When you want to get happy sing your way to it! One of the simplest principles conveyed in scripture is that we are able to take charge of our own emotional state. You don’t have to stay under a cloud.
This is evidently part of what David was referencing in the preceding psalm. Songs of deliverance were something that David was well acquainted with. Even from his youth David experienced the power of his music to drive the demonic oppression away from his master King Saul. Is. 61:3 describes a part of the mission of God’s anointed messenger by saying that he gives “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Joyful praise is the offering that God is worthy of and it is the very weapon of the Spirit for the release of the soul from oppression and discouragement. There is great power in the ministry of praise and worship to deliver the soul, refresh the weary, release spiritual power into the atmosphere and accomplish the purpose of God in the earth.
In this passage the psalmist calls us to sing a new song unto the Lord. This is one of the refreshing dynamics of true worship. We are encouraged by the Lord to sing not only the premeditated songs of gifted writers but the new song that springs from our hearts as a living work of praise. One of the wonderful truths conveyed in this passage is the blending between the fresh and living new song that can come from any heart and the calling to excellence that is sent forth to those with a specific ministry of music. On one hand the psalm calls us all to sing a new song unto the Lord and on the other a high standard is lifted up saying “play skillfully” on the instruments of praise. The last phrase of this passage is particularly telling of the all inclusive nature of God’s intention here. “Play skillfully and shout for joy!” Not all can play skillfully, but anyone can shout for joy!!!
Our walk with God is intended to be a walk of joyful freedom as we celebrate the victories that God has won through Christ. Ps 118:15 portrays this reality by saying, “The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous,” NASU. When is the last time that you experienced the emotional freedom that comes through lifting up a shout of joyful thanksgiving to the Lord? Even more so, when is the last time that you did it in your home not just in some corporate religious gathering? Ps. 118:15 tells us that this is the sound that rises from the homes of God’s righteous ones.
The simple message of this psalm is to remember to live joyfully before the Lord and to develop all of your gifts, whether in worship or some other area, with a spirit of excellence that brings glory and honor to the Lord.