Bible Reading: Psalm 96:1-6, 11-13
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.
A Reflection:
Over the centuries ballads and poems have been written to celebrate the actions of heroes or victories in battle. Songs are also written to challenge injustice, to campaign for social change or to celebrate sporting events, and songs are now being written to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth.
Major events, it seems, are marked by new songs, and the psalms are no exception to this as they reflect on both the problems and the victories of God's people. It is thought that King David wrote Psalm 96 to celebrate the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This Old Testament symbol of the presence of God had been captured by the Philistines and was later won back by King David, who now calls on his people to ‘Sing a new song to the Lord’ in celebration.
We have recently celebrated the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, the victory that overturned the apparent loss of Good Friday, the victory that brings us forgiveness, peace with God and abundant life in this world and the next. We have a lot to sing about! As St Augustine said, ‘We are Easter People, and Alleluia is our song’.
I wonder what difference the resurrection of Jesus has made to your life.
If your life was a song, what new song to the Lord does your soul sing as you live your life in the light of the resurrection?
David’s worship of God turns into a declaration to those around him of the marvellous deeds that the Lord has done, comparing the ineffectiveness of their idols to the splendour and majesty of our God. Let us also declare to those who will listen the greatness of our God, as demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus and in contrast to the impotence of other gods and idols.
Think about the marvellous deeds that the Lord has done for you and read again the words from Psalm 96. As you do this, allow the words to lift your heart in a new song of praise to the Lord.
Pray:
O Lord my God, you have done marvellous deeds. May my heart sing a new song of praise to you and my life declare your glory to all peoples.
Amen
My Jesus, my Saviour
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