There’s majesty in those peaks, and grandeur in the clouds, and there’s a far and wonderful beauty in the distance.”
–Louis L’Amour (Treasure Mountain)
“Bend down the heavens, LORD, and come down. Touch the mountains so they billow smoke. Release your lightning bolts and scatter your enemies! Release your arrows and confuse them!”
“Bend down the heavens, LORD, and come down. Touch the mountains so they billow smoke. Release your lightning bolts and scatter your enemies! Release your arrows and confuse them!”
–Psalm 144:5-6 (NLT)
—————————–
In the midst of turmoil, trouble, and terror it is imperative that we keep a song in our hearts if not on our lips. Now, I’m not one who sings a lot–out loud, but in my mind songs keep flowing. Someone wrote, “God’s people are always strongest when their lives are characterized by joy and singing. In the midst of persecution under Julian the Apostate, it was known that one of the favorite hymns/song of the church was Psalm 96.
1 — Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 — Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
3 — Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
4 — For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
5 — For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
6 — Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. (NKJV)
What a psalm! This is majestic for it speaks of the glory of God; His sovereignty and omnipotence. Steven Lawson asked, “How could any heart consider God’s supreme authority and remain apathetic? Such silence is sinful, completely incongruent with the majesty of God.” This is an invitation for ALL the earth to sing unto the Lord. It will one day become the norm during the Millennial Reign. Note the second verse, “good news”. What is the good news? It is a song that those of the Old Testament could not sing, but now the earth is invited to sing a new song. A song that denotes the salvation of the Lord through Jesus Christ.
“Before Jehovah’s awesome throne
Ye nations, bow with sacred joy;
Know that the LORD is God alone;
He can create; and He can destroy.”
–Isaac Watts
While there is time, worship the Lord. The idols mentioned in verse 5 are nothing but dumb idols; idols without power, idols not worthy of praise. Praise the Lord because of who He is–His splendor and glory and majesty should make us tremble, and yet lift our voices in praise. This is a psalm for the individual; this is a psalm for the nations. “The application of the psalm is timeless for it prepares our hearts for worship. It calls us out of our world into His.” (George O. Wood)
This is a hymn/song that helps us in our daily walk with the Lord. Do you ever feel “out of sorts”? Sing this song. Do you ever think that you are “out of step”? Sing this song. Do you ever think that your life is “out of tune”? Sing this song. Get rid of the idols–anything that comes between you and true worship of God. Maybe as you turn your eyes to the Lord go to Revelation 1 and see the vision that was given to John.
“Let all on earth their voices raise
To sing the great Jehovah’s praise
And bless His holy name.
His glory let the people know,
His wonders to the nations show,
His saving grace proclaim.”
–Isaac Watts
—————————–
In the midst of turmoil, trouble, and terror it is imperative that we keep a song in our hearts if not on our lips. Now, I’m not one who sings a lot–out loud, but in my mind songs keep flowing. Someone wrote, “God’s people are always strongest when their lives are characterized by joy and singing. In the midst of persecution under Julian the Apostate, it was known that one of the favorite hymns/song of the church was Psalm 96.
1 — Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 — Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
3 — Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
4 — For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
5 — For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
6 — Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. (NKJV)
What a psalm! This is majestic for it speaks of the glory of God; His sovereignty and omnipotence. Steven Lawson asked, “How could any heart consider God’s supreme authority and remain apathetic? Such silence is sinful, completely incongruent with the majesty of God.” This is an invitation for ALL the earth to sing unto the Lord. It will one day become the norm during the Millennial Reign. Note the second verse, “good news”. What is the good news? It is a song that those of the Old Testament could not sing, but now the earth is invited to sing a new song. A song that denotes the salvation of the Lord through Jesus Christ.
“Before Jehovah’s awesome throne
Ye nations, bow with sacred joy;
Know that the LORD is God alone;
He can create; and He can destroy.”
–Isaac Watts
While there is time, worship the Lord. The idols mentioned in verse 5 are nothing but dumb idols; idols without power, idols not worthy of praise. Praise the Lord because of who He is–His splendor and glory and majesty should make us tremble, and yet lift our voices in praise. This is a psalm for the individual; this is a psalm for the nations. “The application of the psalm is timeless for it prepares our hearts for worship. It calls us out of our world into His.” (George O. Wood)
This is a hymn/song that helps us in our daily walk with the Lord. Do you ever feel “out of sorts”? Sing this song. Do you ever think that you are “out of step”? Sing this song. Do you ever think that your life is “out of tune”? Sing this song. Get rid of the idols–anything that comes between you and true worship of God. Maybe as you turn your eyes to the Lord go to Revelation 1 and see the vision that was given to John.
“Let all on earth their voices raise
To sing the great Jehovah’s praise
And bless His holy name.
His glory let the people know,
His wonders to the nations show,
His saving grace proclaim.”
–Isaac Watts