Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13] (NRSV)
Read Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13] on biblegateway.com
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.[
Verse 10Say among the nations, "The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."
Verse 11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
Verse 12let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
Verse 13before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.]
Devotion
I’ve seen the heavens glad and sun-filled by day and star-studded by night. I’ve listened to the earth rejoice in its rich variety of life. I’ve heard the seas roar like a mighty roaring lion. I’ve eaten the fruits of fields producing their bounty. And, I’ve fallen asleep to the relaxing song of forest trees whishing and swooshing in the wind.
While I can sense God’s presence in all these singers of nature, my worship would be incomplete if that’s where it ended. They must not become idols, my objects of worship. No, they merely point to the Lord who made the heavens and the earth.
When I gather with God’s people in worship, our voices unite in songs of praise declaring God’s marvelous works of righteousness and salvation. Among the nations, the church's chorus rises in thankfulness. I know that we creatures are blessed by the infinite, yet personal and loving Creator.
Prayer
Almighty God, all creation sings for joy in your presence. Our voices join the ecstatic song praising you for your glory and goodness! May we always bless your name and tell of your salvation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.