Psalm 96 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 96 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
Sing to the Lord a new song. This psalm is the first major chord in a symphony that has trembled in the dark tones of a minor key throughout Advent. The people of Judah wallowed in the darkness of Isaiah’s world. They lived in the pain of invasion and oppression.
Our readings this week have allowed us to see the light of hope beginning to glow along the rim of the horizon. Words of a child born among us have emerged. Hope peeks over the edge.
Now, this psalm welcomes the dawn. There is a new day. The Lord reminds all creation that there is hope. The gods of the people are idols. The darkness of our pettiness, greed, and war last only for a moment.
The Messiah is coming. He will judge the people with equity. He will judge the world with righteousness. Come, Jehovah-is-salvation. Come, God-is-with-us.
Prayer
We give you thanks, O Lord, for your faithfulness. We give you thanks for your everlasting and steadfast love. Amen.
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