Exalt the LORD our God;
bow in worship at his holy mountain,
for the LORD our God is holy.
The psalmist repeats, “He is Holy,” to describe the Lord our God. It catches my attention, as it is meant to do, because it is repeated.
He is holy:
Our Lord God is holy!
Worship Him! He is worthy.
Sing a new song to the LORD,
for he has performed wonders;
his right hand and holy arm
have won him victory!
This Psalm echoes in my mind often. Dear friends from high school, Steve and Jeannie, wrote, sang, and recorded this as a new song to celebrate the victory of the Lord.
King Jesus has indeed won the victory.
All of creation celebrates because of His might and strength.
From the seas to the mountains, all of nature resounds with the noise of His victory, His life, His coming judgment.
He comes to judge – and for His people, this is a reason for joyous celebration.
He will judge with righteousness and fairness.
Sing a new song!
Praise to Him!
This little guy is part of the illustration for Psalm 102 – to be featured later this week. Actually, this is my first attempt at the “bird on the roof.” I did a second one – we’ll compare! More about why 2 birds later in the week . . .
The heavens proclaim
his righteousness;
All the peoples see his glory.
God’s glory is obvious and on constant display:
throughout creation,
to all peoples,
all nations,
all the time.
Just take a glimpse at the night sky . . .
The stars, moon, planets – they declare the glory of God. His creativity, power, and presence.
The bright day of sun – the vast expanse of glorious day declares the faithful care of our loving God.
Even in storm or darkened moments: his power and presence are known by the immense expanse.
He is glorified in all of this. And His glory may be viewed and known by all who seek Him.
Be glad in the Lord.
Give thanks to His holy name!
Sing a new song to the LORD;
Let the whole earth sing to the LORD.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
Proclaim his salvation from day to day.
Here, in this Psalm, is the nature of and the reason for worship.
Worship is
It is world-wide, encompassing everyone and everything.
All of creation worships with joyful song before the Lord. It’s new and it’s a worship of joy, strength, honoring His glory.
Because?1?
He is great.
The great God. Creator. Sustainer of life.
He is the coming judge – coming in righteousness and faithfulness.
He reigns!
He is worthy of our worship.
Sing a new song to the Lord!
He is full of glory!
Praise the Lord!
Come, let’s worship and bow down;
let’s kneel before the LORD our maker.
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
the sheep under his care.
I worship God – from a place of humility, reminding myself, even in my posture, of my humble existence before the Lord almighty.
My worship is joyfully loud!
A shout out to God who is my strong, rock-like salvation.
Thank you, Lord.
All praise and thanks to you for who you are, what you do, how you provide. You are the Great and Only God.
We worship you – you are worthy – of all I can muster.
Strength, joy, humility – take all this from me, Lord. It’s yours. You are worthy of it.
Lord – I am yours to care for. I want to be yours.
In your pasture.
Your sheep.
You are Great God!
LORD, how long will the wicked –
how long will the wicked celebrate?
There is, and will be, a season in which the “wicked celebrate.” Injustice will be the normal course of business and government. Innocents will be harmed. Those who are vulnerable, killed, murdered by those in power.
And those who look on with horror will wonder: how long?
Doesn’t God see this? Will He not do something?
“The Lord knows . . . “(v. 11). He isn’t missing what is happening, He will execute His righteous judgment.
That is little consolation for people who are harmed by the wicked today. But, there is a place of refuge.
The Lord is my refuge.
My God is the rock of my protection.
What we see today, experience in this life, is temporary and ultimately inconsequential.
The Lord reigns.
He rules.
He will vindicate.
Come, Lord Jesus!
LORD, your testimonies
are completely reliable;
holiness adorns your house
for all the days to come.
Who knows what is true anymore?
Sometimes I can’t – shouldn’t – believe my own eyes and ears.
AI and the evil imaginations and machinations of men (people) make what is visible and what is aural irrelevant and unbelievable.
But God’s testimonies are reliable.
His Word , His acts, His movement through this world – that is what I can – will – trust.
Why?
Because He is Holy and His presence, His residence is Holy. It is completely unique. There is nothing like it and it cannot be imitated or duplicated.
Lord, you are Holy.
Your Word is Holy.
Your acts and your presence are Holy.
Praise God! In your holiness: redeem us!
The righteous thrive . . .
Planted in the house of the LORD, . . .
They will still bear fruit in old age, . . .
to declare, “The LORD is just;
he is my rock,
and there is no unrighteousness
in him.
There is a place where age does not matter. There is a place where I can thrive, if I am in right relationship with God the Father – righteous.
(I can’t achieve that on my own, but my loving heavenly Father has provided a way for me through Jesus.)
And, so, in Jesus I am in the presence, the house of the Lord.
In His courts.
Enjoying His environment that quickens me to fruitful life no matter my age.
He makes use of us when we are His and in His courts.
The Lord is just! He is my Rock. He is Holy – there is no unrighteousness in Him.
To God be the glory.
It’s good to be in His house.
The one who lives
under the protection
of the most high
dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.
In God’s presence, under His almighty protection, is security. Real refuge. It is in “my God whom I trust.”
Why?
Because I dwell in Him.
He is my refuge.
He surrounds me with His servants who are working and diligent to protect.
Lord, be my refuge.
I rely on, rest in, find security in you, and you alone.
(An early, not so great attempt, at the palm in Psalm 92. This one proved to be quite a process!)
Teach us to number our days carefully
so that we may develop wisdom
in our hearts.
For me, this has long been an important verse.
In it, I understand that wisdom can be gained, acquired. It is not a gift only for one or two – even just a few, but for any, many, who look to the Lord as the source and supplier of wisdom.
Teach me to number my days carefully.
I need to count each day, and make them count.
I only get a few, and there are fewer left at the end of every day.
This perspective of valuing, using every day is at the heart of developing wisdom. I find it in the careful investment of my time.
Lord, likewise, you give value to the work of our hands.
Lord, may my hands not be idle or busy at vain, self-centered, self-serving activity.
Give me wisdom to know you, source of all wisdom, and use me to fulfill your purposes.
Numbering My Days 