“Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. … For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.”
Psalm 96:1, 4
The composer of Psalm 96 centers his thoughts on the kingly nature of the Lord. As he does so, he can’t help but find such rulership to be worthy of song. He ponders God’s splendor, majesty, strength, and glory. But interestingly, he spends a good portion of time praising His judgment as the King (vv. 10, 13) and fearing His name (vv. 4, 9). This rubs against the way our culture typically perceives of God. Someone recently said to me, “Well, God forgives; it’s kind of His job.” But what of a God who judges? The psalmist finds this to be the very reason to sing and make music! “They will sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth” (v. 13).
Is this not the beauty of the gospel and worthy of new songs and music? We serve a God who, as a holy king to be feared, became a servant, washed feet, was judged on our behalf, and forgives because He bore the judgment. For this we sing to Him!
“When I soar to worlds unknown,/ see thee on the judgment throne,/ Rock of Ages, cleft for me,/ let me hide myself in thee” (Augustus Toplady, 1776).
Is this not the beauty of the gospel and worthy of new songs and music? We serve a God who, as a holy king to be feared, became a servant, washed feet, was judged on our behalf, and forgives because He bore the judgment. For this we sing to Him!
“When I soar to worlds unknown,/ see thee on the judgment throne,/ Rock of Ages, cleft for me,/ let me hide myself in thee” (Augustus Toplady, 1776).
Scripture Focus
Psalm 96
Insight
Give thanks for God’s judgment as the psalmist does in prayer, and sing or read through the hymn “Rock of Ages.”
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 41-42
- Psalm 122
- 1 Corinthians 16
