Perhaps out of fear of emotionalism, loud joy seems suspicious in religion. Yet, God gave us the power to shout just as much as to whisper. It seems that the Hebrews, at the very least, understood this. After all, the universe is his, the nations on this planet, the chosen people, and most who revere Him. Because his strength is infinite, the scope of it doesn’t limit the depth of its influence. In fact, individuals feel even more secure knowing that all of creation can be arranged easily for its ultimate well-being. It would be unnatural if such a faith did not produce a joy that expresses itself humbly yet triumphantly.
The language of this psalm may seem simple to many: Is the world truly so obedient to God’s will? It is a matter of faith. Faith doesn’t allow us to see only the rosy side through rose-colored glasses, but the view of a forest differs greatly between someone walking through the bushes and someone observing from a helicopter. Perhaps verses 6 and 9 of this psalm are reflected in the prologue to John’s Gospel. The faithful perspective of the cosmos and history is necessarily optimistic; it fosters joy and trust.
The psalm discusses foreign nations that threaten God’s people. It’s a great privilege to be part of his people!