Psalms 96 – 98
Verse 96:1 opens the New Year with a new song:
Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth!
The mention of a “new song” comes up quite often in the Bible. I don’t know if I notice it more because of the group “New Song”, but often ponder what it actually means. A quick search shows the phrase comes up only 9 times, with 6 of them being in the Psalms. I guess what I ponder is are the passages new songs or are they instructing us to live outside the box and create our own new song?
Verse 96:6 is a great two line description of God’s dominion:
Splendour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Sometimes we need to sit back and just think about God’s domain. It’s really amazing when you think about it. As people we tend to focus on the ugly and evil, and miss the big picture. Often our attention is on ugly things in this world which tend to draw more attention to the other evils.
If you have ever been in an accident or near accident, did you notice you went where your eyes were focused? I believe that is one of the reasons the Psalmist wants us to focus on the good and beauty and not the ugly. We can’t go through life with our “blinders on” because that lowers our defenses where we could get “blind-sided”. But if we keep the majority of our focus on the “splendor and majesty” our live would be a little smoother.
Verse 97:9 brings up God’s position over all:
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
God is most high and is the only uncreated one in the universe. The thing that caught my eye in this verse is the statement “above all gods.” Is this an acknowledgement there are other gods in the universe? Or is it about our focus? When this was written the perception was gods of thunder, the seas, skies and other “natural” phenomenon’s existed. Today we are trying to dismiss the one and only God through science. Now instead of worshiping God or any other god, we have become materialistic and worship our stuff.
I pray we have a “soft” realization and revival in this nation, because the “slap upside the head” we need will be painful.
Verse 98:4 ties into the signing of a “new song”:
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
This Psalm is one of the other 8 that describe us singing a “new song.” With this I wonder if singing a well know praise and worship song loud and out of tune? Or do we just make one up, like a prayer? Is God looking for a more personal connection to Him via any way possible? I think the key is just sing to worship, don’t worry if you can sing wonderfully or like me, just project your love for God to him!