Psalm 96

1 O sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvellous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honour and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in holy splendour;
    tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, ‘The Lord is king!
    The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
    He will judge the peoples with equity.’
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12     let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13     before 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.

If Psalm 148 rejoiced in God as creator, this psalm celebrates God as fair and honest judge. The one who made all things (Psalm 148, Genesis 1), is also the one who will judge all things with equity (Psalm 96, Revelation 20,21).

The great God is coming, the one who is revered above all other things. God is great, honour and majesty, strength and beauty are his characteristics, and so God is worthy of glory. This great God is the one before whom all the earth will tremble. Before this God all the power and honours that human beings have are nothing. This great God is coming.

The one who made the earth, who set the seasons and the rotation of the earth. This God is coming to judge the people of the earth with equity. Vs. 11 and 12 paint a fascinating picture – the cosmos, including the earth; the seas and everything in them; the fields and forests and everything in them - - are glad, rejoice, roar, exult, sing – because God is coming to judge the earth.

God will bring righteousness – that is, true justice – not a justice impacted by the loudest voice, not a justice swayed by those who have power, not a justice that caters to public opinion – no, this is a judge that rules with equity – with truth – with fairness towards all. Notice that creation itself awaits the coming of the judge with hope and expectation, and we are invited to join creation in that joyful expectation. 

Often the thought of God as judge strikes fear into hearts – but in this psalm God coming as judge is looked forward to with great hope and excitement. With joy and expectation. This is the one who is coming, who will set all things right. And that is the source of the joy.

PRAYER:

We rejoice, Lord God of majesty and justice, that you are coming as the righteous and truthful judge. And with all creation we look forward to your arrival as judge of all things. Even so, come Lord Jesus, and renew all things. Amen.     

Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!

3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;
    his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,
    for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

On Earth Day as we think about the creation around us, it is impossible to not be filled with awe and wonder. And that is exactly what this psalm does.

We start on the spiritual plain – the angels and the heavenly host (vs. 2) are invited into the praise of God. Then in vs. 3 – the sun, moon and stars – so while still distant is moving closer. Then in vs. 4, the waters (moisture/rain) in the clouds are invited to join the praise. So yet another step closer.

Then vs. 5 and 6 offer a pause – a reflection. The things that are beyond humanity’s power to control. Human beings didn’t make the eclipse happen (sun and moon). We can’t make it rain or stop raining. These things which are beyond human management, are not beyond God’s power. God created them, and God directs them. That they are obedient to God, is a sign of their praise of God.

Then in vs. 7-10 – things here on earth join the chorus of praise – sea monsters, the ocean depths, fire and ice, stormy wind. Then the mountains, hills, the trees, the four-legged animals, the birds, everything that creeps – they are part of the chorus of praise.

And then human beings join the celebration of praise. All kings and all nations (all peoples (vs. 11) is a reference to the people groups of the earth). People of all ages and stages, people of all genders – join the chorus of praise.

The Psalm has followed roughly the order of creation described in Genesis 1 as it adds to the list of created things who are praising God.

On Earth Day, praise to God who created the wonder and beauty of the cosmos, of the earth, from the majestic stars and mountains to the intricate beauty of the amoebae and the delicate flowers – yes, this God, this creator is worthy of our praise on Earth Day and every day.  

PRAYER:

We rejoice, O Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, that you have made all things. And with all of creation we bring our joy and celebration. We praise you for the beauty and wonder of the creation. Teach us to be good and wise stewards of the creation that you have made. In Jesus’ name. Amen.