Psalm 98 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 98 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
Verse 2The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
Verse 3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Verse 4Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Verse 5Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.
Verse 6With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Verse 7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
Verse 8Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy
Verse 9at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Devotion
The 5 p.m. Saturday worship service ended earlier than usual. It was 5:45 p.m. when we were finished and almost everyone had left. Someone from the altar guild was cleaning up as I was getting my notes from the pulpit when another altar guild member walked in to help set up for Sunday services.
This kind, gracious, soft-spoken retired woman came up to me and said, “Well, the service must have been pretty short. Everyone is gone already.” “Yes,” I said, and then added with a grin, “It was short because I lost two pages of my sermon.”
Then this gentle lady said, “Well, Pastor, now don't you go looking for those two pages!” The twinkle in her eye was precious. She got me good. I didn't expect it and oh, did we laugh. Like in Psalm 98, our laughter was a joyful noise to the Lord.
Prayer
Loving God, may we sing praises to you with lyre, trumpets, and horn – and with laughter. Amen.