August 31st 2021 – Psalm 98
"A Psalm.
Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the Lord, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity."
Psalm 98
The final lesson of the Psalm lies in 7, 8: inanimate nature is called upon to rejoice with man in the victory of God. There are two ways to look at this: one is to think of the Psalmist's words in terms of a poetic and highly metaphorical extravaganza, reflecting the exuberance of his spirit. But this is to miss the real point: it is the recognition that nature itself is involved in, and shares in, the victory of God. Paul is very specific in his teaching about this, in Romans 8:20-22: the creation, he says, was made subject to vani- ty because of man's sin, and was tragically involved in the ruin of mankind in the fall, and now awaits with eager longing for man's redemption to be complete, for when this takes place creation itself will be blessed and rejuvenated in the final redemption. Paul speaks in Colossians 1:20ff of a 'cosmic' redemption and reconciliation: the wound that sin afflicted on the universe will be entirely healed, and God's creation will come into its own when the King comes. This is the prospect - it is as great as that!
August 30th 2021 – Psalm 98
“A Psalm. Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things!His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the…
August 29th 2021 – Psalm 98
“A Psalm. Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things!His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the…
August 28th 2021 – Psalm 97
“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!2 Clouds and thick darkness are all round him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.3 Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all round.4 His lightnings light up the…
August 27th 2021 – Psalm 97
“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!2 Clouds and thick darkness are all round him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.3 Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all round.4 His lightnings light up the…
August 26th 2021 – Psalm 97
“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!2 Clouds and thick darkness are all round him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.3 Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all round.4 His lightnings light up the…
August 25th 2021 – Psalm 96
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples!4 For great is…
August 24th 2021 – Psalm 96
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples!4 For great is…
August 23rd 2021 – Psalm 96
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples!4 For great is…
August 22nd 2021 – Psalm 95
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!3 For the Lord is…