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Psalm 96 (TNIV)
1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13 Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
What are the songs we sing?
As we think about the songs that overflowed out of the hearts of angels, and which infected the lives of shepherds and led them in search of the Christ child, what are the songs that arise within and flow out of our hearts?
What is the melody like? What would the lyrics be if you were to put it into words? Does it sound more like the songs of the nations (see verse 5 of Psalm 96), or does it flow out of the same place from which the songs of he angels arose? Is it time to change the music to which we live? Do we need to turn the volume up or down?
Christmas began with singing!
As the announcement was made to shepherds on the hills outside of the Bethlehem, it was accompanied by angels breaking into song. It was the kind of thing that made the universe sing! Take a moment to imagine that. When was the last time you heard an announcement that caused you to break out in song? It's not enough to hear the words, you must also be swept up in the music!
Angels had something amazing to sing about. And when we actually hear their words and catch the tune, we will not be able to restrain the urge to sing as well - at least not if we are really listening . . . not if we really hear.
But not only are we invited to hear the music, we are invited to join in with the same joy, and allow the strains to not only sink down deep into our own souls, but to flow out from us into the world. What does it mean for us to hear the music? What does it mean for us to sing it well so others can hear it too? That's what Pastor Jon is exploring with us this week. If you would like to listen to the sermon again, or perhaps for the first time, click here to access our sermon library.
As we reflect on the music described in Psalm 96, what insights arise about our musical selections?To listen to another example of a song overflowing out of a full heart, check out this passage (David as the Ark is coming home)
Some Questions to Consider:
What does it mean for me to hear the music in my own life?
What does it mean for me to share the music with those around me?
Have I become so focused on getting the lyrics right that I have lost the melody? And if so, am I willing to listen for the music once again?
What might it mean for others if I did?
What might it mean for me?
What might it mean for God?
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