Let Praise be your Weapon
But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. ~ Psalms 59:16
I grew up going to church with my family, and because we were there every time the doors were open, I’ve heard a lot of songs in my lifetime. It amazes me that even today, I can randomly remember a song I haven’t heard in years, and yet still know all the words. When I sing them now, these melodies carry a much deeper meaning. They remind me of everything I’ve been through in life and, more importantly, how my heavenly Father picked me up along the way. Singing about His mercy and grace hits differently now, and the message in those old songs speaks to my heart in ways I never fully understood before.
There have been moments in my life when I felt completely overwhelmed, like everything was coming against me at once. One instance that stands out is when I was a single mother, juggling work, raising children, and dealing with all the uncertainties of life. I remember one particular time feeling exhausted and vulnerable, wondering if I was strong enough to make it through. There were times I wondered if God even saw what I was going through, and whether He would help me overcome.
But in those moments, God’s presence became my refuge. Just like David in the Psalm today, I learned to turn my fear and anxiety into praise. When I felt surrounded by things I couldn’t control, I began to sing—sometimes out loud, sometimes just in my heart—trusting that God was my fortress. His strength became more real to me than the struggles I was facing. While the answers didn’t always come right away, I found peace in His presence. He became my shelter in the storm, and praising Him led me through every difficulty I faced.
Maybe you are in a crisis today and you want to be able to trust that God is your protector, even when it feels like you’re surrounded by enemies—whether those enemies are circumstances, fears, or even people who stand against you. The good news is that you can trust Him and when you remember that God is with you, you can find the strength to sing in the middle of the battle. You can face each new day with the assurance that His love and faithfulness will carry you through.
Here are the words to one of my favorites that reminds me that singing praise is a weapon that chases my enemies away:
I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me
I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!
So today I want to encourage you that whatever you are facing, remember this: God is your fortress. He sees you, and He is stronger than anything that comes against you. Even when you may not feel like it, ask for the strength to raise a hallelujah and just as He delivered David from his enemies, He will deliver you too. Take refuge in His strength, and let His love be the song you sing through every one of your troubles.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 59
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Defend me from those who rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty men.
3 For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.
4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold!
5 You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations; Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah
6 At evening they return, they growl like a dog, and go all around the city.
7 Indeed, they belch with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; For they say, “Who hears?”
8 But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision.
9 I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.
10 My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.
11 Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be; And let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah
14 And at evening they return, they growl like a dog, and go all around the city.
15 They wander up and down for food, and howl if they are not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, my God of mercy.
The Daily Dose 