June 24, 2022 -- Psalm 92:1-4 -- Sing the LORD's praises

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It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Psalm 92:1-4 ESV

There are so many songs from the 80’s and 90’s that spring to mind with the gentlest prompting. The notes and chords, the riffs and slides easily wind up the recall and effortlessly the words spill out. This ability to memorize words and quickly motivate emotions is captured by our brief Psalm reading today. He is preaching to his soul, stirring up his heart so that songs of praise and the celebration of God’s steadfast love will be what is in view for him. There is no greater joy, no deeper gladness than knowing the goodness of our God and King. His work makes us glad. When His splendor fills the vision the course of a man's heart is redirected for good.

At a low point in our married life, Carolyn and I were jobless for a while, and then for a while very under-employed as we sought to re-group. Finances were very tight. We lived in a basement apartment of a house and the house. Rent was very reasonable. It would have been easy to get sour and bitter. The circumstances of our life were very unexpected. We were going through a very rough season. In His great providence, God had arranged it so that we lived in a place where the home-owner and his wife were former missionaries. At the supper table, after the meal, they’d sing songs of the faith. We didn’t really hear any other noises or sounds from their activities upstairs, but regularly, at each evening meal, we could hear them sing a song or two. Their act of devotion to the LORD guarded me from bitterness and reminded me of the love of the LORD which is unceasing. In hindsight, my wife and I know the LORD our God took us from our former way of life, led us through the trials of change to the wide place of His great grace. We are so thankful to Him for our new home, still-new-feeling job and denomination. He has made us glad. We sing for joy at the work of His hands.

Sing to the LORD. Sing His praises until the words take hold of your imagination and ignite lasting praises in your heart. He is great. His is working out His holy and good purposes in your life right now. You may not understand this particular point of the journey, but He will not, has not, left you or forgotten you. Sing praises to His Name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless His holy Name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all His benefits,
Who forgives all your iniquity,
   Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
   Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Who satisfies you with good
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Bless the LORD, O you His angels,
   You mighty ones who do His word
   obeying the voice of the voice of His word!
Bless the LORD, all His hosts,
   His ministers, who do His will!
Bless the LORD, all His works,
   in all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Psalm 103:1-5; 20-22 ESV

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