Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Daily Devotional Thought--From the Psalms

Psalm 96:1-9
1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;1 tremble before him, all the earth!

Devotion (Taken from Reading the Psalms with Luther, p. 228)
The 96th psalm is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ in the world, in which should be nothing but joy and praise. The text is, truly, itself clear enough. In it, all the nations, lands, people, forests, seas, trees are called to worship. They should praise and thank the Lord because He judges and rules with righteousness and truth. That is, He delivers us from sins and all that sin brings with it, such as death, hell, the power of the devil, and all that is evil. This is the new song of the new kingdom from new creatures, from a new people, not born of the Law or works but born of God and Spirit. These are nothing less than miracles, done in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Prayer

Thanks to You, O Father of light, for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to establish a kingdom of grace and forgiveness among men on this earth. By Your Spirit make us new creatures in heart, mind, soul, and sentiment, and teach us to sin the new song of this new kingdom with rejoicing and gladness, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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