Total Praise
Opening Prayer
Sovereign Lord, with all that lies within me, I acclaim Your goodness and speak Your praise.
Read Psalm 96:1-13
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Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“Worship the Lord with gladness: come before him with joyful songs” (Psa. 100:2). Prepare to join the celebration now!
Think Further
The psalmist invites us to celebrate the God who alone is worthy of praise. The nations are called to join the celebration (7), recognizing the worthless nature of their own objects of worship (5). Creation itself joins in (11-13). Although the language is metaphorical, designed to enhance the impact of the celebration, there is a sense in which creation, by being what it is and fulfilling its God-given purpose, brings glory to God. If humans will not shout God’s praise, creation will (Luke 19:40).
The celebration is grounded in God’s character and God’s activity. God is holy, distinct from his creation, mysterious and untainted by any form of impurity. God is splendid and majestic, glorious and powerful. God is Creator, Savior, King and Judge. We may think of judgment as negative, but there is no hint of that here. Justice is established and this is grounds for rejoicing. We will never fully comprehend such a God, but he is not unknowable; we are invited to come into his courts (8).
The celebration is exuberant, even abandoned. There is little restraint here. Words pour out, there is song, and there are physical responses. But this beautifully crafted psalm also reminds us of the need for order and structure. Worship that truly honors God needs content, creativity and involvement. Sound theological content will give shape and direction to worship, but without engagement of heart and spirit it becomes an academic exercise. Exuberant activity without content becomes self-indulgent and lacks focus. Paul points out that order and the inspiration of the Spirit are not always mutually incompatible (1 Cor. 14:39,40). Our worship is too often impoverished because we fail to appreciate the true nature of God or respond with enthusiasm.
Apply
How might attending to the words of the psalmist affect your worship today?
Closing prayer
Mighty God, let a sense of Your goodness course through every fiber of my being until my lips declare Your praise.
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