August 13, 2006

Be Glad!

I will praise the name of God with a song . . . . The humble shall see this and be glad. —Psalm 69:30,32

For several days after my husband and his brother sang a duet in church of “Be Ye Glad,” I was unable to get the lyrics by Michael Blanchard out of my mind. But they’re good words to get stuck on:

Oh, be ye glad, oh, be ye glad!
Every debt that you ever had
has been paid up in full
by the grace of the Lord.
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad!

Ancient Israel’s beloved songwriter and king often wrote about gladness. In three consecutive songs, David spoke of being glad: Psalms 68:3; 69:32; 70:4. His lyrics assure us that it’s not the rich or the powerful who have reason to be glad but those who are humble and right with God.

David expanded on this theme in another song: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. . . . Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (32:1,11).

If you are feeling poor and powerless today, you can still be glad. You can have something of far more value: a debt-free relationship with God.

When we stop defending our own sinful ways and humbly acknowledge that God’s ways are right, true gladness will spring forth in songs of glorious praise. —Julie Ackerman Link

We can rejoice, our debt’s been paid;
All of our sin on Christ was laid;
He wants us now to live our days
In thankfulness and endless praise. —Sper

Joy is the result of a right relationship with God.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year: Psalms 87-88; Romans 13