Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Daily reading assignment – Psalms 96-98
The psalms in today’s scripture reading are beautiful in their message and majestic in their tone. Psalm 96 and Psalm 98 begin with the exhortation of singing a “new song” to the LORD (96:1; 98:1) and conclude with the LORD coming to reign and “judge the earth” (96:13; 98:9).
What is this “new song”? I believe the “new song” is the song of salvation, the song of redemption. We read in Psalm 96:2 that the song to the LORD is to “shew forth His salvation”. Psalm 98 states the same, “The LORD hath made known His salvation” (98:2); “all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (98:3).
Psalm 96 is an evangelistic psalm of praise not limited to Israel. The psalmist writes, “Declare His glory among the heathen” (96:3); “O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength” (96:7); “fear before Him, all the earth. 10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth” (6:9-10a); “let the earth be glad” (96:11); “He shall judge the world with righteousness” (96:13).
Psalm 97 continues the theme of the LORD’s Second Coming when He will reign and judge the earth in righteousness.
Psalm 98 returns to worshipping the LORD in music and song for His salvation and righteousness (98:2).
As is often my practice, I close today’s devotional commentary on a personal note (after all, these daily commentaries are my own meditations which I share with those who follow www.HeartofAShepherd.com).
The Book of Psalms is as its name implies, a compilation of songs of praise and worship employed in daily worship in the Temple.
Nothing took the primacy of reading and teaching God’s Word; however, the centrality of instrumental music and song is obvious throughout the Psalms and in other passages of scripture in the Bible. Apart from the custody and stewardship of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the preaching and teaching of the scriptures, the churches influence on music and song is preeminent. No other religion or institution has so profoundly inspired or left an indelible impression on the art of music.
Sadly, the music of the 21st century church has succumb to a secular culture’s demand for entertainment, betraying its purpose to lead the congregation of the saints in worshipping the LORD in music and song. Every genre of 21st century “music”, regardless of how detestable, is employed in “worship” at the sacrifice of the highest ideals of musicianship and musical excellence.
As one who loves the LORD and loves music that moves the heart and soul, I mourn the devolution of worship and music in our churches.
Psalm 98:4-6 – Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
Copyright 2017 – Travis D. Smith