September 8th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Sing To Him A New Song

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord God, I worship You today because “You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel” (Psa. 22:3, NRSV).

Read PSALM 33:1-22

[1] Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. [2] Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. [3] Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. [4] For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. [5] The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. [6] By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. [7] He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. [8] Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. [9] For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. [10] The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. [11] But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. [12] Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. [13] From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; [14] from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- [15] he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. [16] No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. [17] A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. [18] But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, [19] to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. [20] We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. [21] In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. [22] May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“The climax of God’s happiness is the delight he takes in the echoes of his excellence in the praises of his people” (John Piper). Our praise delights our God.

Think Further

Psalm 33 exuberantly proclaims that God’s love “makes the world go ‘round” (5b). This is “a new song”–a phrase associated with the celebration of God’s reign in the world (3; c.f. Psa. 96:1; 98:1; 149:1). It is sung with joy and unrestrained gusto, but it is no mindless mantra; rather, it forms a narrative of praise reflecting on, and rejoicing in, who God is and how his rule is effected in the world.

The psalm discerns God’s reign operating in five areas. First, it operates in nature (6-9). The Lord speaks and the starry heavens are created, he scoops up the primeval waters and the world’s seas are formed. Second, it operates among the nations (10-12). God is sovereign in history. Civilizations rise and fall, but the Lord’s purposes prevail across all generations. Third, God’s sovereignty embraces circumstances (13-15). His rule is particular as well as universal. He considers everything we do. Fourth, God’s dominion overrules politics (16,17). Ultimate power resides neither in national governments nor military hardware. Fifth, this divine sovereignty is especially focused on God’s people (18,19). While the Lord “watches all” (14), his eye is on those who honor him and trust in his unfailing love. For all of these reasons the congregation shouts for joy (3) and calls on all peoples to honor the Lord (8).

This psalm provides a background to the references to the kingdom (or kingship) of God that we encounter in Mark 8-10. With Jesus, the kingdom of God has come (Mark 1:15). It has not yet fully come (Mark 14:25), but come it certainly will (Acts 1:11; 2 Tim. 4:1). We live between both comings.

Apply

Make Psalm 33 your prayer today as you wait in hope for the Lord (20). Shout for joy that the love which “makes the world go ‘round” is with you (22)!

Closing prayer

Lord, when I read many of the psalms I feel I am standing on a smoldering volcano of praise, waiting to burst forth. So, I release praise from within me, blessing Your name.

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