January 1
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PSALM 96 LET THE EARTH REJOICE AND DECLARE GOD’S WONDROUS WORKS
Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established;
it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. – Psalm 96:1-13
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Come, all you people of God, rejoice for God’s work of salvation
He gave us his only begotten Son to forgive us and grant us reconciliation
Without God’s mercy, we will still be unable to be reconciled with him
It is him who chose us first so we can be his; a people who are redeemed
The God of majesty has given us an opportunity to receive his grace
Embrace all that he has given you and remember to always give him thanks.
Declare the works of the Lord to all the ends of the earth
His splendor and majesty are manifested in all that he made
There are no other gods who made heaven and earth but the Lord
Worship him alone and be awed by all the wonderful deeds he has done
Love the Lord with all your heart; a God who is steadfast in his love for you
Never let anything come between you and the Lord, have your minds always renewed.
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REFLECTION
• How is rejoicing in God’s goodness and declaring his wonderful deeds considered good habits for believers to get into?