SAVED TO SING

Do you ever wonder why God saved you? Much is shut up in God’s wisdom and sovereignty, Rom. 9. 15, 16; Deut. 7. 7, 8, but at least one suggestive answer is offered in this psalm. We praise because we have been saved, “for thou hast lifted me up”, v. 1, and we are saved that we might praise, “to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee”, v. 12.

The first truth is simple but inexhaustible. The psalmist regularly explains the basis of his worship by recounting God’s goodness to him. Let us apply the first three verses of this psalm to ourselves. Like David, we have been “delivered”, v. 1 J.N.D., from the malicious desire of enemies bent on our overthrow. Just as Satan begged the Lord for Peter and the other apostles, Luke 22. 31, so he longs to get hold of us. He is still active as a “roaring lion … seeking whom he may devour”, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Yet by grace we have been safely transferred from his kingdom into that of God’s dear Son, Col. 1. 13. And divine property cannot be touched! Further, we have been healed from the disease of sin, Psa. 30. 2, for the work of Calvary has provided the effective remedy, 1 Pet. 2. 24. Although physical sickness may still afflict the child of God, ultimate deliverance is promised at “the redemption of the body”, Rom. 8. 23 Finally, we have been raised up from death, Psa. 30. 3, in that salvation has called us, like Lazarus, from the tomb of this evil world, and made us eternally alive to God, Eph. 2. 1-7. Such deliverance is surely a sufficient reason for worship.

But mark the other truth. Here we enter into God’s mind for His people. He, at infinite cost, has brought us from misery into everlasting gladness, v. 11, so that He might receive our praises, v. 12. The Son of man came to seek the lost, Luke 19. 10, but the Father seeks worshippers, John 4. 23. Indeed, the great goal of God’s saving activity is His own glory in Christ, Eph. 1. 6, 12,14. Is God now finding His desire fulfilled in us? Is He receiving the whole-hearted worship that He so richly deserves? Remember, we are saved to sing! Called out of darkness, we show forth His praises, 1 Pet. 2. 9.

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy …for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God”, Rev. 5. 9.