Psalms 96-100
FIVE SIMPLE PLEASURES:
My first park run in a long, long time- Making a collage of photos
- Completing my final Saturday shift at work
- Coming home to candles and a real fire
- A fun film for film night – ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’
PSALM 96: A GREAT PSALM OF PRAISE
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth. v1
We can still find ways to sing a new song. Faith is not static. It’s dynamic. A journey. Always evolving. We do not have to do it like it’s always been done. We don’t have to keep quarrelling and offending each other. We don’t have to be divided. We can embrace grace and love and forgiveness and reconciliation afresh. We can find a new voice. New words. New expression.
PSALM 97: THE GOD ABOVE ALL GODS
Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart. v11
The psalmist is utterly convinced of this: that His God is the one true God, creator of the heavens and the earth. He is convinced that the best way to live, the only way to live, is in right relationship with this God. Only then, will we experience the light and joy that only He can bring.
PSALM 98: SING!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things. v1
There is no excuse. There is plenty to sing about. The whole of Creation is bursting with song for the Creator – especially at this time of year. The whole earth is exploding with new life and praise.
PSALM 99: NEVER FORGET WHO GOD IS
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy. v9
We must never forget who God is. He is the Creator of the universe. He reigns. He is great and awesome. He is holy. He is to be feared and respected. He is mighty. He loves justice. And He answers.
PSALM 100: FOR GIVING GRATEFUL PRAISE
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. v1-5
It’s only five verses long. And how can I pick a favourite? The psalm on which so many of our songs are based. Familiar words. But mindblowing all the same!
