Sing for Joy
Psalm 98 (CEV)
The Lord Works Miracles
98 Sing a new song to the Lord!
He has worked miracles,
and with his own powerful arm,
he has won the victory.
2 The Lord has shown the nations
that he has the power to save
and to bring justice.
3 God has been faithful
in his love for Israel,
and his saving power is seen
everywhere on earth.
4 Tell everyone on this earth
to sing happy songs
in praise of the Lord.
5 Make music for him on harps.
Play beautiful melodies!
6 Sound the trumpets and horns
and celebrate with joyful songs
for our Lord and King!
7 Command the ocean to roar
with all of its creatures,
and the earth to shout
with all of its people.
8 Order the rivers
to clap their hands,
and all of the hills
to sing together.
9 Let them worship the Lord!
He is coming to judge
everyone on the earth,
and he will be honest
and fair.
What was impossible, God has made possible. He has saved and brought justice.
What’s not to sing about.
Personally, I find the phrase, “Tell everyone on this earth to sing happy songs” or even the “jubilant songs” of the NIV, a tad grating – life is not always that easy. BUT, there are many many Psalms of woe and misery, of pain and despair. So, I guess when the Psalmist says, ‘Be Happy’ he can say it with integrity. This is not an ‘all is wonderful with the world’ naivety, but a ‘I know how rubbish everything can be, so lets enjoy this victory, this glimpse, this moment’.
So lets join together in this song to our awesome God.
Pam's Perambulation 