Read
The Lord Brings Justice
1The Lord is King!
Tell the earth to celebrate
and all islands to shout.
2Dark clouds surround him,
and his throne is supported
by justice and fairness.
3Fire leaps from his throne,
destroying his enemies,
4and his lightning is so bright
that the earth sees it
and trembles.
5Mountains melt away like wax
in the presence of the Lord
of all the earth.
6The heavens announce,
“The Lord brings justice!”
Everyone sees God's glory.
7Those who brag about
the useless idols they worship
are terribly ashamed,
and all the false gods
bow down to the Lord.
8When the people of Zion
and of the towns of Judah
hear that God brings justice,
they will celebrate.
9The Lord rules the whole earth,
and he is more glorious
than all the false gods.
10Love the Lord
and hate evil!
God protects his loyal people
and rescues them
from violence.
11If you obey and do right,
a light will show you the way
and fill you with happiness.
12You are the Lord's people!
So celebrate and praise
the only God.
Reflect
Some of the earlier psalms we went through in this series have been lament psalms. Times of despair and crying out to a God who sometimes feels absent. But here we have a “let it all out and light the fireworks” psalm.
In Isaiah 40:28 (the Message) there is a great line which reads, “He’s the creator of all you can see or imagine.” Think of this when you read this psalm and think of it as your “Canada Day” psalm; your “fireworks and an expansive, magnificent landscape we all celebrate” psalm. A psalm in which all the wonders and power and awesomeness of God is exposed in his creation. But the writer is quick to point out that worshipping false gods in the face of this display of creation power is not only a waste of time but those who do it will be put to shame.
So go on and claim the promise. The wonderful assurance that “…he guards the lives of his faithful ones…” v 10 and that “light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.” This is great news. This is get up off the couch and get out there stuff. We must not fail to respond to the power displayed in creation of our God and to, “rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name” (v 12).
Respond
Lord God, you reign. I yield before your power today with the hope that I will see your glory magnified in all I do. Guard the lives of your faithful ones that we might live to rejoice and praise your holy name, through your Son, Jesus.
James Paterson
James works as a visual artist. His current body of work is a series of metal wire sculptures called Prayer Machines which are whimsically ambiguous machine-like objects that give expression to mystery. “I love to share the gospel message, using art as a bridge, to encourage people in their relationship with Jesus.” He and Lynn have four young adult children. Publications Jim’s Grandiose Big Bible Picture Book (Bastian Books ,2007)