Translation: ESV
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
God is our strength, and joyful praise directed toward him is the essential expression of worship.
▸This festival psalm begins with joyful praise.
This festival psalm begins with joyful praise. 'God our strength' declares that God is the source of Israel's strength. Joy is the natural emotional response of faith and an essential element of worship.
I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
God is the provider who fills abundantly when we ask largely.
▸'Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it' is the central promise of this psalm.
But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.
The reason God's remarkable promises are not fulfilled is not God's will but human rejection.
▸After God's remarkable promise, Israel's refusal is confessed.
But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.
On the path of obedience lies the greatest abundance God has prepared; disobedience means missing that blessing.
▸'The finest of the wheat' and 'honey from the rock' symbolize the greatest abundance.