Psalm 105:43

Psalm 105:43

Shouts of joy!

Let us not forget that, despite all the moaning and grumbling, the Israelites were delighted to be free of their Egyptian slave masters. The first few months of their journey brought them to the boundaries of the Promised Land and although there had been some hiccups along the way, these are people who are anticipating a better life, a life of freedom and prosperity. Of course they rejoiced, and their celebrations are encapsulated within the Song of Moses and Miriam. A song that exalts the Lord, that praises Him for His deliverance, that revels in the destruction of Pharaoh and his army, and that celebrates the miraculous powers of their Saviour in Chief, Yahweh, who is “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders.” Included in the song is a great sense of anticipation for the future, that they will be brought to the place that the Lord made for His dwelling. The words of this great hymn of praise are set out in Exodus 15 and are well worth a read. 

Whenever the Israelites believed God’s promises and put their hope and trust in Him, they found themselves prompted to sing songs of praise. Whenever they lost hope, their praises turned to grumbling and complaining against Moses but also against the Lord. We are no different, it’s not too difficult to praise the Lord when things are going well but can we still sing songs of joy because of our hope, even when things are going badly? 

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