In May our second oldest daughter was married in Maui. Pretty cool. Everything pretty much happened as planned. He said, “I do” . . . she said, “I do” . . . we said, “Amen!” But there was a little surprise for my daughter and her fiancee as they checked in at the airport for their flight over. At the airline counter they mentioned that they were heading to Hawaii to be wed. When they were handed their boarding passes, the slips of paper had “Wedding” written on them . . . and their seats had been upgraded to first class! Kind of more than they had expected . . . kind of above and beyond what they had paid for . . . kind of better then they “deserved” . . . kind of like Psalm 132.

As I read Psalm 132 what stood out was a phrase kind of repeated twice . . . but not exactly word for word . . . and I was asking myself, “How come?” It took me a little while to realize that Psalm 132 is a prayer of David and a response by the Lord. David invites God to find rest in Zion . . . to dwell in Jerusalem . . . to establish His “footstool” in the city so that the people might come to worship . . . and God says, in a manner, “I will” . . . but in a way beyond what you’re asking . . . in a way beyond what you can imagine . . . “I will,” says God, “with upgrades.” And here’s what caught my attention this morning:

“Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy.” (David, Psalm 132:9 ESV)

“Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.” (The LORD, Psalm 132:16 ESV)

David asks that those who minister before the Lord would do so with holiness and godliness . . . that they would wear garments of righteousness. But at best, all these men could do was “buy an economy ticket.” Best intentions . . . most ardent discipline . . . holy compared to others . . . coming in their righteousness . . . but still, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isa. 64:6 ESV). They could put on their best . . . but God had something better.

“I will clothe them with salvation,” says the LORD. They will be adorned with deliverance from sin . . . they will be arrayed with victory over their enemies. Yes, they will be enveloped with righteousness . . . but not their own . . . they will be clothed with my Son and His righteousness . . . they will be upgraded to first class.

And I think to myself . . . that’s just like my God . . . “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). We bring desire . . . He brings deliverance . . . we ask for a drop of water . . . He provides fountains of living water . . . we desire a place to worship at His footstool . . . He invites to be seated with His Son in the heavenlies. You know that list can go on. And it starts with a garment of salvation . . . purchased by God with the blood of His Son . . . and freely given to all who receive His grace by faith.

And God says, “You think you’ll shout for joy when you put on your own righteousness? Wait until you’re wearing what I have for you . . . then you’ll really shout for joy. You’ll shout aloud. You’ll lift Your voice in unrestrained praise. Then, you’ll know worship!” Garments of salvation have a way of wanting us to put on garments of praise.

Yes! Praise God for the garments of salvation. Give Him glory, all His people, that we are clothed in Christ. Shout for joy . . . shout with joy, the joy of your salvation.

“But it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” (1Cor. 2:9-10 NKJV)

Upgraded! Amen?