Psalm 96
Again we are loudly called to magnify the Lord in joyful
song. Thoughts are directed to the extension of Christ's kingdom. He is
proclaimed as coming to consummate salvation. May our souls respond, "Come,
Lord Jesus, come quickly!"
1-3. "O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord,
all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation
from day to day. Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all
people."
Praise never can be too exuberant. Everything that has
breath should live to praise the Lord. In this work there never should be
weariness. Causes of praise are ever fresh, and fresh should be the
responding notes. Let us sing a new song. New thoughts, new motives should
enliven the soul. Our hearts should ever seek renewal, and be looking onward
to the new heavens and the new earth, where He shall reign who has made all
things new. Hence new should be our song. As day succeeds to day, so let
praise succeed to praise. Let too our diligent efforts convey to the poor
and ignorant of every climate the tidings of redeeming love. Let the heathen
learn through us the glories of Christ's salvation.
4-6. "For the Lord is great, and greatly to be
praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations
are idols; but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him;
strength and beauty are in His sanctuary."
Behold the greatness, the supremacy, the glory of our
God. Heathen idols are utter vanity. Let us call the poor heathen to cease
to bow down to stocks and stones. Let us teach them to worship Him who has
made heaven and earth. This worship is mighty to enliven and sanctify. It is
beautified with all the radiancy of heaven's glory.
7-9. "Give to the Lord, O you kindreds of the people,
give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due to His
name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. O worship the Lord in the
beauty of holiness; fear before Him, all the earth."
Who can describe the pure delight of spiritual worship!
Let us draw near to Him who is a Spirit in spirit and in truth. Let it be
our choice joy, to magnify His holy name, to ascribe to Him the glory which
is so greatly His, and to acknowledge the omnipotence with which He is
invested. Let it be our delight to consecrate to Him all the resources with
which we are endowed; to present to Him ourselves, our bodies, souls, and
spirits, which are His by every right of creation, redemption, conquest, and
our own surrender. Let us reverently seek His hallowed courts, and offer
holy service. There is no beauty to be compared with holiness, which is the
reflection of our God.
10-13. "Say among the heathen, that the Lord reigns;
the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved; He shall
judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be
glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness. Let the field be joyful, and
all that is in it; then shall all the trees of the forest rejoice before the
Lord; for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth; He shall judge the
world with righteousness, and the people with His truth."
Nothing quickens praise more than constant expectation of
the coming of the Lord. Yet a little while and He who shall come will come
and will not tarry. Behold He comes leaping upon the mountains and skipping
upon the hills. Oh thrice blessed, thrice glorious day! The heavens and the
earth, with their ten thousand tongues, shall rejoice and sing. Righteous
shall be His reign. Truth shall be exalted, and the tabernacle of God shall
be with men. Should not this prospect warm our hearts to spread abroad His
glorious name! Surely the very stones would rebuke our silence.