Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-014 Sunday 20 Jan 2002

Reading: PSALM 96 – SING A NEW SONG

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

Think about the worship you will offer in your local church, then read this psalm and try to follow its example.

The opening words of this psalm do not mean that the old favourites should be discarded and replaced with modern hymns to unfamiliar tunes! But just as Cod’s mercies are new every morning (see Lam 3:23), so our singing of well-known words needs to have a freshness about it, and we should come to church with the expectation of meeting God and with his praise on our lips.

One of the surest ways in which we praise God is not just with fervent singing but with vigorous proclamation to the outside world (the nations, v 3). In fact the nations are referred to several times here. They are actually invited to worship (v 7), for there was a court for the Gentiles, certainly in Herod’s Temple (v 8), and they need to be told that the Lord reigns (v 10) and that he will judge the whole world (v 13).

The world vision that this psalm reflects is in striking contrast to the insular, introspective worship that some Christians prefer. Praise without a missionary dimension is not praise at all, however warm and uplifted it may cause us to feel. If the gods of the nations are no gods (v 5), we must not keep the living Cod to ourselves or feel coy about proclaiming the good news of Jesus and his salvation.

With his world vision, the psalmist also has an earth vision, as he calls upon all nature to join in the praise of God (vs 11,12), and this should move us to ask ourselves where care and concern for the planet figures in our Christian worship and discipleship. The heavens may declare the glory of God (see Ps 19:1), but the trees of the forest join in the applause.

Take special note of the people you pass and the things you see as you go to church today, and include them in your praises and prayers.

– Bishop John B Taylor

Copyright Scripture Union, 2002

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