Path of Life

Psalm 96

Stay on the Path ~

Psalm 96 presents the reader with both the invitation and the inspiration to worship the God of all creation. “Oh sing, sing, sing” the Scripture says, but why should we sing, and what are we to sing about? Why can’t we just verbally utter our words of praise and leave it at that? Could it be that God knows how often our words become automatic and meaningless when instead, they should overflow with heartfelt emotion and expression? When set to harmonic melodies and instruments of praise, songs have a way of lifting our eyes toward heaven, and touching the innermost parts of our being. The more we express our feelings and emotions in song, the more our hearts open wide to the Lord!

Statistics have shown, that for most people, the act of standing on a stage in front of an audience with a microphone in-hand is the most terrifying thought they can imagine. For the believer, it can be the most exhilarating experience to realize, we sing for an audience of one— the One—and all we have to do is give a joyful noise unto the Lord! The question becomes: do I really believe what I am singing? Consider that, as you work your way through Psalm 96 and remember that Creator God—the Maker of heaven and earth—has summoned you to come before Him and sing—to Him, about Him, and for Him!

Did you know ~

The worship were known as the “songs of Zion.” They were used primarily for the pilgrimage up to the , and Temple worship. These particular psalms tell of God’s presence dwelling among His people. References to His visible presence can be found throughout the as being represented in the form of light—known in the by the word shekinah—or “glory.” This helps the reader to understand the importance these worship songs played in the daily service of worship.

1 Psalm 96

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.”

1. Who does the Psalmist exhort to sing praises?

2. In addition to singing, what else are we exhorted to do?

3. What motivates you to worship the Lord?

4. What does it mean to sing a new song?

5. How can we develop new songs to sing to the Lord?

Discussion questions

What are some ways we can be involved in proclaiming the good news of salvation to others?

How can we be involved in declaring the gospel to the nations?

2 Psalm 96:4-6

“For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”

1. The psalmist now sets forth the explicit reasons God is to praised. What are those reasons?

V. 4

v. 5

v. 6

2. What reasons does the Psalmist provide for us to worship?

3. According to the Psalmist, what is the difference between the Lord and all other gods?

4. The Psalmist celebrates the strength of the Lord. How does God's strength benefit us when we are weak?

3 Discussion questions

What does it mean to fear God?

Give an example of someone in Scripture who feared the Lord?

How will fearing God help us to live more godly lives?

Think of an example of what an unbiblical fear of God might look like?

Psalm 96:7-9

“Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.”

1. According to the Psalmist, what should we give to the Lord?

2. What glory do you think God deserves?

3. How do we give Him that?

4 4. What is a proper offering to bring to God?

a. Romans 12:1-

Discussion questions

How can we give our strength to God?

How can we allow God to use our strengths for His purposes?

In contrast, how can we give our weaknesses to God?

How can we allow God to use our weaknesses for His purposes?

Psalm 96:10

“Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns; the world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.’”

1. What does the word "reigns" mean?

2. What does it mean that the Lord reigns?

5 3. Since the Lord sits enthroned above the earth, what do these verses say about the following:

a. His creation

b. His judgment

c. His truth

4. What two things does the Psalmist tell us are true because the Lord reigns?

5. God is not only the ruler but is also the judge, how will he judge?

Discussion questions

How does creation show evidence that God reigns?

How can we allow God to reign in our lives?

6 Psalm 96:11-12

“ Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.”

1. What words are repeated in these verses?

2. How do we properly rejoice in the Lord?

3. When is it difficult to rejoice in the Lord?

4. How can we remain full of joy when we are facing difficult or trying circumstances?

Discussion question

How does an understanding that God reigns help us when it seems like everything is going wrong?

Psalm 96:13

“For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.”

7 Discussion questions

Should the fact that Jesus is coming to judge the world impact the way we live our lives?

How should it impact the way we treat others?

How should it impact our willingness to share with others?

A New Song

Psalms 96:1

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.”

A few years ago, while visiting a church, this particular verse was shared during the praise and worship. The worship leader drew application from the verse by encouraging everyone to sing whatever came to their minds at the moment. The result was a vast array of voices singing, speaking, and in some cases, shouting out different things about the character of God. While I do not doubt the sincerity of the worship team, or the congregation, for that matter, I wonder if that is the best application for this verse. The Psalmist, a songwriter, himself, is actually encouraging us to author our own song to the Lord.

Songs are often written out of experience. A person endures a difficulty in life and puts a poem to music that reflects the way they felt, or the things they learned. The same is true when we have happy, sad or lonely experiences. Rarely are songs

8 written without a story behind them. As a result, perhaps the Psalmist is encouraging us to experience more of the Lord, so we have more to sing about. If you haven't taken a step of faith lately, perhaps now would be a good time. The end result will be that you have written a new song about the faithfulness of the Lord.

Take some time to pray about what new ways the Lord wants you to serve Him.

Pastor Jim

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