Psalm Meditation 972
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
February 3, 2019

Psalm 98
1 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
2 The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication 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 victory 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 live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
(NRSV)

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like music. I know people whose taste in music differs from mine; however, I don’t know any who don’t like music at all. When the psalmist calls us to sing, we each have a way to join in. We can express our joy and thanks to God in some way. Some use their voices, some give voice to musical instruments, some let their hearts soar with praise without a sound coming from their lips.

The important part is to find a way to praise God for all the marvelous things we experience as people of God. Praise flows out of some people. We hear it in their voices, we see it in their faces, we experience it in the way they carry themselves. There are others whose praise is held in check for some reason. Their joy is full yet their expression and demeanor are no different than when they feel a different emotion. Either way, the joy and praise are real to each person.

The psalmist calls the whole earth to sing praises to God. Sometimes we notice the ways the earth celebrates and rejoices; waving branches, dancing grasses, roaring waves, babbling brooks, and beautiful displays of vibrant color, just to name a few. The earth and the psalmist teach us that we can express our joy and praise in a variety of ways. If it expresses our joy in the presence of God, it is a new song of joy and praise.

January 28, 2019
LCM