I grew up singing “He Keeps Me Singing” by Luther B. Bridgers. The hymn includes the declaration, “There’s within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low: ‘Fear not, I am with you, peace, be still,’ in all of life’s ebb and flow.”
We have reason to have a melody in our hearts. Even in grief.
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.” Psalm 96:1-2
Salvation—and the peace that surpasses and overcomes fear brought on by brokenness—inspires a new song in your heart that overflows from your lips. As recipients of God’s ultimate gift, we bless his name and sing of his redemption.
Day after day after day.
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3
A song may be born in the heart of a believer, but it is not to be rehearsed for us alone. The song of salvation inspires proclamation, declaration to the nations. A love for all people is born in a disciple’s heart. We are compelled to broadcast his stupendous works across the globe and among all peoples.
The psalmist explains that our God is great and deserves great praise. My praise alone is not enough. This God of mine is deserving of awe before any other would-be god. Our God is glorious while other gods are meaningless idols. Our glorious God created the heavens, and he is deserving of resounding praise.
“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” Psalm 96:6
Splendor is defined as magnificent appearance or grandeur. Majesty is defined as stateliness, beauty, or royal power. In other words, his magnificent grandeur and stateliness are before him. We respond in awe. His power and loveliness are in his sanctuary. We recognize his beauty.
We cannot help but respond.
“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!” Psalm 96:7-8
We acknowledge his glory and strength not because he needs us to recognize and ascribe these attributes to him. We simply cannot help ourselves. We are compelled to ascribe the glory he is due. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,” we are told in James 1:17. And we respond with offerings of worship brought into his presence. We give because he gave first.
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.’” Psalm 96:9-10
We are compelled to worship him; spontaneously we tremble in awe. We are so overcome with the sight of his glory that we exclaim that he is a just God who tests the people with equity. He reigns, and it is he who has established the earth. His work is good, and the earth is not moved.
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.” Psalm 96:11-13
All of heaven is made glad by the good reign of God. The earth’s joy is seen in roaring seas, exulting fields, as well as everything in them. Trees rejoice and sing at his coming judgment for his balances are righteous. And he judges the world rightly and the people in the world with faithfulness. I’m reminded that God himself has said that he will not be false to his faithfulness (Psalm 89:33).
“He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.” Psalm 96:13
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