THE RIGHTEOUS REJOICE.
Psalm 33:1.
“Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33:1).
We see first of all the exhortation: “Rejoice in the LORD” (cf. Philippians 4:4). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22). When we abide in Jesus the true vine, not only do we dwell in His love, but we also partake of His joy (cf. John 15:11). Jesus has a special joy in the redemption of His people (cf. Hebrews 12:2), and we are privileged to share in that joy. We have such a special joy in His goodness to us that we hardly need to look for reasons to keep the Apostolic precept to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice’ (cf. Philippians 4:4).
Second, we see in whom we are to rejoice: “in the LORD.” There is no real or lasting joy in earthly comforts. But when we consider what God has done for our poor benighted beleaguered souls, our heart bubbles over with joy, and our voice soars upward to join the heavenly host in their song.
Third, we see who are to rejoice: “O ye righteous.” The only ones who can rightly rejoice are those who are partakers of the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ our Lord (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21). It is all very well when worldly choral societies take the words of Scripture upon their lips, and seem to sing with passion and gusto to and about our Lord: but sometimes their faces give away the sham. ‘The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is His delight’ (cf. Proverbs 15:8). Those who are born again may be less precise in their diction or in their rendition, but what they lack in finesse they make up for in their genuine interaction with the One to whom they raise their voices.
And fourth, a reason is given: “for praise is comely to the upright.” This is how the Lord sees us: we are righteous in His eyes, upright. That is who we are in Christ Jesus, His finished work. True praise belongs to the whole congregation of God’s redeemed people: all of us, not just the choir. The LORD accepts of our prayers, and our praises, and pardons our sins.
