Today’s Scripture: Psalm 98:1-9

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
     break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

Artwork by West Kellett

This psalm tells us to sing a new song of praise to our God, for God has done marvelous things.

Many psalms tell of sadness, happiness, lover, mercy, and judgment.  But this psalm is one of praise.  David tells us to sing a new song out loud of PRAISE.  We sing of the power and majesty of our Lord.  The personification of sea roaring, the floods clapping their hands, and the hills being joyful emphasizes that all nature should sing the praise of our Lord.

When I directed a choir many years ago, I had a man who sang in the choir who did not have a particularly good voice but he sang out loud.  He made a joyful noise and all the choir loved him and needed him.  He cheered us and kept us singing our best.  He encouraged our praising of God.

When we hear the news of all the evil things going on in the world, we must sing even louder of the Lord coming back to judge with mercy, grace, and justice.  Our lives are challenged many times to sing a new song.

Circumstances can change everything for us.  In my case, the loss of my legs because of a heparin allergy changed my whole life and the lives of those close to me.  We’ve all had to adjust and plan a different way.  But we still sing a song of praise, for we know God is with us and will help us meet the challenges.  We sing a new song to God.  We depend on God and God has never left us.  Family and friends encourage us, and we are happy in God, our Lord and Savior.

Dear Father, thank you for the new song we sing.  May we make a joyful noise, so others may hear and know that you are our Lord of mercy, grace, and justice.  Amen.