Psalm 96 take one

 

This week, I invite you to dive and dwell into Psalm 96 with me.  This is a hymn of praise, a hymn to open our lives to God, who is the Composer and Conductor of life.  The One who evokes and provokes a NEW song.  God tells us we don’t have to just keep reading and singing from only what we know.  There are new melodies and harmonies and words that need to be explored, experienced, and expressed in YOUR life and my life this week.  A few reminders about praying the Psalms.  Even though this Psalm doesn’t have “Selah” or invitations to pause, built or baked in, I did break the Psalm into stanzas so YOU could stop, breath, reflect on what you just read.  Secondly, hymns are not meant to be read silently, only to be confined and contained in your mind.  Hymns, especially this one, are meant to be proclaimed aloud.  So, read this aloud, noticing where you put the emphasis.  For example, is it, “O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” (where the word, “sing” is emphasized)  Or is it, “O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth?” (or do you emphasize the word, “new”).  Where do you find yourself wondering, what is this new song I long to sing?  Or is it, “O sing to the Creator a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” Where you want to go out and serenade the sparrows with these words.  You may need to read this aloud two or three times.  Take your time, savor these words slowly, like each syllable is delicious food to feed your soul and water to refresh your thirst!

Once you’ve read it a few times, I’ll be back to wrap us up.

From the New Revision Version

O sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord; bless God name;
    tell of God salvation from day to day.
Declare God glory among the nations,
    God marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
    God is to be revered above all gods. Pause

For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before God;
    strength and beauty are in God sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God name;
    bring an offering, and come into God courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
    tremble before God, all the earth. Pause

Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
    The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
    God will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar and all that fills it;
    let the field exult and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the Lord, for God is coming,
    for God is coming to judge the earth.
God will judge the world with righteousness
    and the peoples with God truth. Pause

Where does your life today, “flow on in endless song above earth’s lamentations?”  Where do you join with all people in singing out praise?  For what, who, when, and why do you give thanks to God or offer gratitude?  What did you hear from your lips sing to your heart and soul in these words?  God how can I help from singing??  Help me today to stay in touch and tune with You, O Composer and Conductor of the symphony of life, all life, I pray.  Amen.