Psalm 66:1-9 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 66:1-9 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Verse 2sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.
Verse 3Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.
Verse 4All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name." Selah
Verse 5Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.
Verse 6He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There we rejoiced in him,
Verse 7who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations- let the rebellious not exalt themselves. Selah
Verse 8Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard,
Verse 9who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip.
Devotion
Ron Kenoly, a Christian song writer, wrote a Palm Sunday song entitled, "Ain't Gon'na Let no Rock Out Praise Me." In today's psalm we are told that all the earth, not just the good parts of creation, but all of creation gives God praise. The tree fashioned into a cross praised God, as did the rooster that crowed twice. The water, in which Pilate washed his hands, brought glory unto the Lord, just as did the sun that refused to shine on Good Friday. The grapes, made into sour wine, placed on the hyssop branch proclaimed Jesus as Savior, as did the stone that was rolled away at the tomb. As God's creation, we, who are both sinners and saints, need to ask how we can praise God, and will we allow other earthly creations to out praise us?
Prayer
Creator God, help us join with all of creation to bring you praise, glory and adoration. Amen.