Day 713: A new song – Psalm 96

1-3 Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. 4-6 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honour and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. 7-9 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord - recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves. Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendour.

10-13 Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth. Psalm 96 New Living Translation (for ESV)

Did you have 'show and tell' sessions at School where you brought something that was special to you to show to the class and tell them all about it? Today's Psalm is more of a 'sing’ and tell session. And while it was originally addressed to the nation of Israel, it's still true for God's people today. What is it in vs 1-3 about God that they should eagerly want to sing of, and to tell the whole world about?

It’s essentially the good news that He is a God who saves – and that His acts of salvation are amazing and glorious. We need only look to Calvary to realize how true that is! But it isn't just in His works of salvation. Where else do we see His awesomeness? (vs 4-6)

Whereas the idols of the nations were made by the hands of men for their gods in heaven, the very heavens were made by the power of God. So in vs 7-9 the nations are urged to recognize the majesty of the only true God, and to bring Him their honour and praise. Israel were meant to evangelize the nations and tell them of God's wonderful holiness, and that He is the supreme ruler of all creation. What is the grand finale of the good news that they (and we) should want the world to know about God? (vs 10-13)

They were to announce that God was coming to His world with just judgments, and also with great blessing. That happened when Christ came into the world and defeated Satan, and then sent out His apostles with the good news of salvation. But it will happen again when Jesus returns and ushers in eternity. The mention of all nature bursting out in joyful praise is like the apostle Paul's words where he says: “I'm sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who His children are. Meanwhile, creation is confused - but not because it wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of His children.” (Romans 8:18-21 Contemporary English Version) The apostle Peter said: “According to God's promise we look forward to new  heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)

This Psalm is also in 1 Chronicles 16 when David brought God's 'ark of the covenant' to Jerusalem. Many Bible teachers suggest it was sung again when the temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem after the exile. The 'newness' about it would reflect a fresh work of God's salvation. We read in Revelation how 'a new song' was sung in heaven praising Jesus because, through the shedding of his blood, He ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9-10) Christians certainly have something to sing about – and we have a wonderful message to tell to the nations. Our God reigns - and He saves.