26 "For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before Him. Strength and joy are in his place" (NAS)
These verses are found in a "Song of Thanksgiving" lead by Asaph and his brothers before the people. David had worked to bring the ark of the covenant of God to Jerusalem, so that the nation could make seeking God a priority once again, for this had not been done by Saul, David's predecessor. David hoped to build a permanent temple for God to reside, but that honor fell to Solomon, his son. The celebration must have been a sight to see and experience--the parade, the sacrifices, the ceremony, the music, and then this song, thanking and giving God glory for his past wonders and praising Him for who He is.
In the middle of the song, '"...strength and joy are in his place."' The words strength and joy are a sharp contrast. Strength reminds me of power, authority and having one's way (like standing in the ocean as the breakers hit your legs--the strength is evident). Joy does not come from a place, but rather radiates from God. It is that special delight that resonates deep within one's soul that cannot be taken away--it is excitement, peace, expectancy, freedom, delight, wonder all rolled into one. To put "skin" on joy, one might say it is like feeling the first kick of your baby before you have even met or the feeling one has when holding that newborn for the first time.
The Lord God is so big that these attributes (along with many other) permeate from His presence at the same time. AMAZING! I need to praise You more often Lord!
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