Read
(A psalm and a song for the music leader. Use with stringed instruments.)
Tell the Nations
1Our God, be kind and bless us!
Be pleased and smile.
2Then everyone on earth
will learn to follow you,
and all nations will see
your power to save us.
3Make everyone praise you
and shout your praises.
4Let the nations celebrate
with joyful songs,
because you judge fairly
and guide all nations.
5Make everyone praise you, God,
and shout your praises.
6Our God has blessed the earth
with a wonderful harvest!
7Pray for his blessings
to continue
and for everyone on earth
to worship our God.
Reflect
This Psalm is a prayer of blessing to the King of all the earth. He has rightful authority. Our hearts burst with gratitude for undeserved kindness. For personal blessing and grace that reaches the nations, we are drawn to praise him more and more.
The blessing of God sought here reminds us of Numbers 6:24-26. God blesses his people with protection, favour and peace. The purpose of God’s blessings upon us is that we might be a bright city on a hill that testifies to the goodness of God. We are not to be reservoirs but conduits. We are richly blessed to be a rich blessing.
Watts’ hymn of celebration testifies, “He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found.” Zeal for the glory of God among the nations should grip us. Above all else, we want his name to be honoured.
Salvation flows from God to us, to the nations and then back to God. As Romans 11:36 declares, “Everything comes from the Lord. All things were made because of him and will return to him. Praise the Lord forever! Amen.”
Therefore we should pray and proclaim that his ways might be known to the ends of the earth. The nations will obey, praise God and enjoy his favour. Every tribe and language and people and nation will worship. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Respond
Lord of all the earth, hallowed be your name. Open our eyes to see the eternity of blessings that surround us in Jesus Christ. Let us live in them, and out of them, that your goodness might flow from our lips and lives and that near and far we proclaim the salvation of Jesus Christ. For the glory of your saving name we pray, Amen.
Jody Cross
Dr. Jody Cross is a worship pastor, recording artist, author and worship ministry consultant. His passion is to glorify God by developing leaders, equip worship teams and lead God’s people in worship. Jody has released a book on worship and justice, This Is Our Love and has produced two award winning worship albums. Jody serves as Worship Pastor at First Baptist Church in Orillia, Ontario. Jody is married to Alexandra. They have four teenage children. Publications: This Is Our Love: Engaging a Broken World Through Worship CD’s: Forward To Forever Rekindle Rejoice: Christmas Worship