Psalm 96

Psalm 96 is lifted out of King David’s great song of praise when he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. (See 1 Chronicles 16: 23-33) This portion of David’s song has a great missionary zeal, as David addresses the ‘nations’ of the world five times. Three interlaced themes have captured my attention in this psalm.

First, there is a clarion call to be an evangel. This word of Greek and Latin origin simply means ‘bring the good news.’ Psalm 96 urges us to: “Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does” (v. 2a-3). We are invited to join all of creation is praising the splendor and majesty of God.

Next, as we would expect from King David, Psalm 96 exudes unrestrained joy in the worship of God. The worship is inviting and inclusive of all people. From the perspective of this psalm, the praises of God in our worship services create an inviting environment for people to come to faith in God. I would love to be in a worship service where an invitation to receive Christ as Savior was given immediately following the opening prayers, praises and hymns.   

Finally, the basis of that invitation is the church singing a new song. David’s new song proclaimed that God reigned as the Creator of heaven and earth. As followers of Jesus, the New Testament gives us two beautiful new songs to sing to the nations. Philippians 2:5-11 proclaims the humility of Christ and concludes with the affirmation:

“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:10-11

Colossians 1:15-20 proclaims the supremacy of Christ, concluding with these most beautiful words:

“For God in all his fullness

    was pleased to live in Christ,

and through him God reconciled

    everything to himself.

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth

    by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”

Colossians 1:19-20

Hallelujah!

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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Reading for August 6, 2012       Psalm 97