Worship and spiritual warfare

Psalm 149 is a beautiful hymn of praise. There is one of the most mysterious references to the militant power of worship:

4 For Jehovah is pleased with his people;

He will beautify the humble with salvation.

5 Let the saints rejoice in his glory,

And sing even on your beds.

6 Exalt God with your throats,

And two-edged swords in their hands,

7 To execute vengeance among the nations,

And punishment among the peoples;

8 To imprison their kings with fetters,

And his nobles with iron chains;

9 To execute on them the judgment decreed;

Glory will this be to all his saints.

Hallelujah.

We see worship and spiritual warfare clearly linked here. The people of God worship the Lord with joy and enthusiasm, but at the same time they fight for His cause.

Worship, coupled with an attitude of war, provides the necessary instruments to carry out Jehovah's purposes on earth. By exalting God "with their throats" (worship) and holding "two-edged swords in their hands" (spiritual warfare), God's saints imprison rebellious kings and nobles. Could this (the “rebellious kings and nobles”) be a prophetic reference to those principalities and powers that refuse to acknowledge Jehovah's Lordship? Indeed, through their defiant praise, God's people "chain" the enemy, and "execute" upon him the judgments that God has decreed (vs. 9)!

Done well, worship strengthens us, fills us with God's anointing, weakens the power of the enemy, and prepares us for effective spiritual warfare. These two elements — worship and spiritual warfare — must always be united in the life of a church or a believer who has a true supernatural vision.