A fond memory from the time I spent in Uganda a few years ago is the singing of the schoolchildren before lessons began. One particular song began with the words from Psalm 149:1 : "Sing to the Lord a new song". There is wonderful joy in belting out these songs of praise as a group of students and teachers - even at 7:30 in the morning.

Such moments are a glimpse of how profound collective worship can be. Psalm 149 is corporate, be it for the original Israelites or for todays church, and reference to the 'saints' are at the start, middle and end (vs 1,5,9). Gathered together as an assembly (v1), these worshippers can praise their King and Maker with their mouths and hands. However, the emphasis on communal is not at the expense of personal. In verse 5 the saints are singing for joy 'on their beds' : the praise of the assembly echoes in their hearts as they lie down with their own individual thoughts.

The Psalm also reveals to us two encountering and awe-inspiring relationships. The first is the relationship between the Lord and his people (vs 1-5). Whilst Israel is urged to 'rejoice in their Maker' and to 'be glad in their King', we also read that the Lord himself 'takes delight in his people'. The full reality of a God who 'delights in those who fear him' will surely escape comprehension in this lifetime.

The second relationship is the causal link between collective worship and justice (vs 6-9). King Jehsophat, for example, saw God grant the Israelites victory after men were appointed to go out 'at the head of the army' praising the Lord's holiness. Never underestimate the power of communal praise at St Matthew's Church!

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