Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 98:4-9
Ps 98:4-9
4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn--shout for joy before the LORD, the King. 7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; 9 let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
James 5:13
13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
Every social movement has songs that go along with it. It is through these songs that people are brought together and it is through the same songs people are motivated to action. During times of war there are war songs and in times of peace there are songs extolling the virtues of peace.
It is no wonder then that serving God has always involved the singing of songs of praise and songs that uplift each other. As we marvel at the majesty of God we burst forth in song to extol his greatness. When we awake and face a new day and things seem to be going in our favor, we begin to hum a tune or we sing a song. It is just natural for this to happen. Singing and worshipping are almost synonymous as we praise our Lord. So the psalmist in our text ascribes singing to all of the earth around us; from the ocean waves to the rivers and the mountains.
When Jesus was born on earth, the angels were joined with the heavenly host in praise to him, his holy name and his mission to be accomplished. In the book of Revelation we read of the elders being joined by the heavenly hosts and all of the redeemed in songs of praise to the Lamb and the Father on his throne.
As we go through this day we can sing songs of praise to God. We can sing songs that teach his word and songs that build up those who hear. It is not the physical beauty of our voices that matters but it is the melody of our hearts that goes up to God as a sweet aroma. We lift up our very soul to him in song.
O God, thank you for the ability to sing. Thank you for the opportunity to praise you and your holy name. It is such a great joy to be able to join with others who love you and to sing together. Help me always look forward to that great day when we all can join together in song at your heavenly throne. But there are times in my life when there is no song in my heart and I ask you to restore my joy and use me to lift up others in their struggles also. Today is a wonderful day that you have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
