Psalm 96:1-9 (NRSV)
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Verse 1O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Verse 2Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Verse 3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
Verse 4For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
Verse 5For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Verse 6Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Verse 7Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Verse 8Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Verse 9Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.
Devotion
"Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness." (Psalm 96:9a)
In our northern hemisphere the song birds have returned. This annual migration is timed to coincide with our longest days. The lengthy days allow each song bird plenteous amounts of time to sing out their delightful sounds. Is this not the invitation from today's Psalm? "Sing to the Lord a new song." We are invited to sing our praises all the day long. The case being made by the psalmist is that our days are not only to be filled with songs of praise but that such lives of praise become in fact our reason for being.
The next time any of us hears a bird in song, why not uncover our heart, find our part and join the chorus aloft? Why not a full throat of song all the day long?
Prayer
Lord, you have created us in ways that allow for us to worship you in the splendor of your holiness. Guide us as we look for ways to sing out our new songs in new forms and with new notes. Help us join our voices in a harmony that is pleasing to you. It is to you we sing. Amen.