join in the triumph

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
Psalm 41:1 NKJV

Historically, the Romans would celebrate any important military or naval victory with a ceremonial entrance into Rome. The commander would enter, his army behind, parading all the captives and spoils of war before the people. This public pageant was authorized by the senate and called a triumph.

A celebration of a victory!

That is what triumph means.
A spectacle put in place by authority,
by the power of the governing body
telling the people to come out
and celebrate the victory of others.

But not just some random "others."
For these were soldiers.
These were the troops defending the people.
These were the boots on the ground
that moved forward in obedience
at the command of their officer.

While the people simply stayed home,
privileged to watch, as they brought back
the spoils of war, in which they shared.

Did you know that is also a picture of worship?
The very first verse of this Psalm 47...
Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
(notice the punctuation)

It's as if our governing authority... our God,
has written this command of action to us.
That we stand and watch the parade.
That we clap our hands and shout...
with a voice of triumph!

For our Lord, Jesus Christ...
He won a mighty battle for us.
He defeated death and hell,
by dying for our sins and
resurrecting to life in heaven.

And He brought back for us the spoils...
sealing us with His Spirit,
filling us with His joy,
gifting us with His grace,
granting us His inheritance,
sharing in eternal life.

We have much to celebrate,
even to make a spectacle...

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
For the Lord Most High is awesome;
He is a great King over all the earth.
He will subdue the peoples under us,
And the nations under our feet.
He will choose our inheritance for us,
The excellence of Jacob whom He loves.

God has gone up with a shout,
The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.

God reigns over the nations;
God sits on His holy throne.
The princes of the people have gathered together,
The people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is greatly exalted.
Psalm 47

I know, I know...
you don't feel like it.
It's not really your style,
not really your thing, your way.
Like, you have to be in the mood.
Or maybe someone might think
you strange if you clap your hands and shout.

But I really don't read that first line
like it's an option.
Maybe that's just me.
But to be honest,
it looks more like a command.

But I can see
how you may be fearful to try it...
because it's loud, uncomfortable and different.
I've stood there like that too...
on the edge of the crowd
wondering why would they make such a spectacle?

I tried not to judge,
I didn't speak my criticism.
But I simply made excuses
why it wasn't right for me.

Until I realized
that I was standing there...
like one of the captives.
The ones still walking in chains
behind the troops led in with the spoils of war.

Youve probably wondered...
what is it like...
why do they act that way?

And then one day I got tired...
with chains so heavy, I just had to move.
At first just a stretch.
Then a clap.
I added my voice...
Until I began to actually feel lighter, 
My hands, my feet loosened and free!

As if a hand reached down from above
lifted me from behind
and brought me to the celebration...
and this became my voice of triumph!

I left the march of the captives
and joined the parade of the victors.
And now I continually worship this way...
Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

Because it's the sound of freedom.

Won't you join the spectacle?
Won't you give the celebration a try?
You were never meant to be
among the captives, you know.

You were meant to be one of the free..
one of the victorious
who celebrate the victory of our King.

Word of God
train me, today...
to never fear the triumph of worship
or what others think.
to join in the celebration,
the spectacle of praise
for all You have done for my freedom

Lord, I thank You
for freedom from death and hell.
I thank You for saving me.

I praise You, Lord,
awesome God and King,
who sits on His throne
ever to reign on high.

How grateful I am
to be part of the celebration.
How awesome that You
have invited me to triumph!