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PSALM 96

By: Sarah Bishop

Posted: November 15, 2023

Category: Daily Devotional

HOLY SPLENDOR

1O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
5For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
6Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.
10Say among the nations, “The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.

What a curious turn of phrase, asking of all the earth to ‘worship the Lord in holy splendor.’ In your worship, how does ‘holy splendor look’? Is it coming to worship in your very best? Is it coming to worship with holiness the desire of your heart? Is it some days, just coming to worship and needing both the holiness and the splendor to undergird your faith when you have run empty on both? I am sure the Psalmist is calling to all to come and worship.

Prayer

Glorious Lord may our worship glorify you in both our moments of splendor and moments when our light is a little dim. Accept such offerings as our whole hearts yearn to experience your joy, Amen.