Sing a New Song
Scripture Reading — Psalm 96
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Come and let us sing a new song—a song about the King who will establish a kingdom that will bring order and stability into our lives and our world, a kingdom that is firm and solid.
This King is none other than our God, the King of justice, righteousness, and peace. All creation sings this new song: the heavens, the earth, the sea and all its creatures, the fields and all their wildlife—even the trees catch the beat and “sing for joy.”
It shouldn’t surprise us to know that the message of this psalm is the same good news proclaimed by Jesus: God reigns! “The kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). And like the preaching of Jesus, this psalm calls for a decision; it invites us to submit to God’s sovereignty, to enter the reign of God: “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15).
There is also a challenge to us in this psalm. The God who reigns insists on justice, righteousness, and peace in the lives of all people. God cares about how men and women live. God’s people are to live faithfully, proclaiming the truth of his kingship over all even as they live in a world that would like to pretend God is not its King.
The Lord our God is King! Joy to the world—our King has come!
Joy to world, Lord Jesus, for you came to judge the world with truth, to bring justice, and to reign with righteousness everywhere. Alleluia! Amen.
About the author — Thea Leunk
Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.
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