Give it time. He will come around on his terms not yours.
First of all, let me say "congratulations" on choosing to adopt a dog! You have done a wonderful thing by saving a life and will surely receive more loyalty and love than you could ever have imagined.
I don't know the background of your dog from your question, but just knowing that he was adopted (assuming that by "adopted" you mean you got him from a shelter) he will require extra love, support and time before he feels confident with you. Please understand that his background was in some way traumatic (just being at a shelter is traumatic), and he now must adjust to a completely strange environment and new people.
You can't "make" him more confident and playful. You can just give him love and let him know that he is safe and secure with you. Then, with time, he will "become" more confident and playful on his own. It is not about "obedience" -- it is about feeling secure.
I am a shelter volunteer for nearly a decade and a nationally published writer on dog-related subjects. I also have a Web site called The Happy Dog Spot (http://www.the-happy-dog-spot.com) that deals with adoption issues. Please feel free to read the article about about how to ease the transition with an adopted dog (tip #1 is don't expect him to adjust overnight!). The article address is http://www.the-happy-dog-spot.com/dog-adoption.html.
With lots of love, you will be amazed at how soon your submissive boy radiates with confidence!
Do give it time.
It normally takes about a month before you really see the dog he even naturally is.
Don't try and force too much on him yet and don't even bother trying to introduce him to the world.
As I am involved with rescue then this is the advice I give out when rehoming any dog. I also foster and see this when they come in, so don't worry (yet) and don't make too big a deal about anything.
Good luck, and well done for adopting.
It takes time, let him get settled in a month or 2 and just keep trying to lightly play. He will get the idea sooner or later that its ok to play, he has to trust you and who knows where he has been or what he has been through before you! Good luck!
With lots of praise and attention, your dog will learn.
When you dog is lying on the floor, lay down near it and just softly pet it.
Obedience is a real confidence booster, for both of you! Once he's more confident, I'm sure he'll play.
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