Psalm 96

 Psalm 96 - This psalm is first presented in I Chronicles 96.. at the time when the ark is brought to the tent that David had prepared.. when he appointed the singers to "celebrate and give thanks and praise the Lord."  

" Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day." 

This psalm gives us much to sing about! 

We sing of the good news.. 

We sing of His glory.. 

We sing of the wonderful things He does.. 

We sing because He is great!

We sing because He is to be feared.. 

We sing because He made the heavens!

We sing because of His splendor and majesty!

We sing because of His strength and beauty!

"Ascribe to the Lord.. " the psalmist instructs us.. give, bestow, appoint, apply.. "...glory and strength.. the glory of His name.."  As Jesus taught us to pray.. "Hallowed be Thy Name.. "  We are to honor His name, even as the commandment taught us.. and never take that Name in vain... in worthless ways. Give glory to His name!

"Worship the Lord in holy attire; tremble before Him, all the earth.. "  We are to mind the way we come before Him in worship. Not half-hearted.. not hypocritically.. not selfishly.. not proudly.. but with the clothing of holiness- humble.. contrite.. surrendered.. yearning.. repentant.. hearts. 

Let our testimony be "The Lord reigns!"  Let our exhortation be "He is coming.. to judge the earth."  For "He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness."  O how the world needs to know that He is coming and He will judge them rightly.. 

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name in all the earth!  Let the nations bow before You.. to know that You alone are God.. that You alone can save.. that You alone reign forevermore!  We give thank to You for the Word that shows us how to worship in spirit and in truth. We offer up this song of praise, for You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory. "You are good and ready to forgive.. Abundant in lovingkindness.. there is none like You."  Father, we ask that Your Kingdom come and that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Our good, good Father.. grant us daily bread.. forgive us our sins as we forgive others who have sinned against us. Lead us in Your ways and deliver us from evil. We are so needy.. and so thankful.  Be glorified in our attitudes, our words, and our actions today as we abide in Christ our Lord.  In His name we pray. Amen.