David specifies that this psalm is best with stringed instruments. It’s easy to miss the profound thoughts carried in so few words. We should examine the contextual meaning of the phrases here.
Even if Israel failed often as a nation to understand God’s favor was dependent on their adherence to their mission, David will not let it be easily forgotten. What the nation needed most was not whatever it was they imagined would make them happy, but that they cultivate God’s favor as the light of the morning sun. The image here in the first verse is a cry first for His mercy, because without Him extending the opportunity, no one can approach Him to learn what pleases Him. These things David craves for Israel that she may live her mission of reflecting that bright glorious revelation onto the rest of the world. Israel-the-Nation had primacy only so long she made Israel-the-Mission primary in her heart.
David uses the term for praise that depicts the hands raised in celebration. He calls for the rest of humanity to join this worship with loud voices. What could possibly be better for any human than to know what God desires for us in this realm of existence? His Word is a revelation of cosmic reality itself. His revelation is the basis for His judicial declarations upon all human activity. He defines what it means to be righteous. And whether anyone else is pleased makes no difference, for God has full power and authority over all human activity. We can find our place in His plans or suffer in darkness without the slightest comprehension of what to expect.
Again, David calls for that raucous celebration of God’s glory. The Hebrews had a doctrine that obeying God’s revelation was cooperating with Creation itself. Thus, nature would generously produce however much was possible as a joyful participant in the worship of God. Israel has no reason to seek other deities, for her God is the Creator of all things. If she clings to His truth, He will bless her and raise her up to reflect His glory throughout the earth. He obedience was the key to humanity’s reverence of God.
