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
As I reflect on the text for today’s devotion, I am in the woods of our family farm in north-central Wisconsin, surrounded by beautiful, towering pines. And I can’t help but think of the psalmist’s words: “Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord.” As the branches above me sway in the wind, I can hear the trees sing! Indeed, the opening of Psalm 96 calls the whole earth to sing to the Lord!
So many people in this world vie for our attention and adoration—athletes, entertainers, political leaders. But despite the time we may devote to them and the praise we may shower upon them, they are but mere idols. The psalmist reminds us that there is only one, true God worthy to be praised: the Lord who made the heavens and who brings salvation to all the earth.
Prayer
Creator God, we lift our voices to you in praise and thanksgiving for the beauty and wonders of this world. May our lives be a song of praise to you as we declare your glory in word and deed. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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