23 September 2009

processing: Psalm 96 (in Peterson's 'The Message')

Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!

Sing to God—worship God!


Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,

Take the news of his glory to the lost,

News of his wonders to one and all!


For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.

His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;

Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.


God made the heavens—

Royal splendor radiates from him,

A powerful beauty sets him apart.

Bravo, God, Bravo!


Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!

In awe before the beauty,

in awe before the might.


Bring gifts and celebrate,

Bow before the beauty of God,

Then to your knees—everyone worship!


Get out the message—God Rules!

He put the world on a firm foundation;

He treats everyone fair and square.


Let's hear it from Sky,

With Earth joining in,

And a huge round of applause from Sea.


Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,

Animals, come dance,

Put every tree of the forest in the choir—


An extravaganza before God as he comes

As he comes to set everything right on earth,

Set everything right, treat everyone fair.


*Photo is a copy of the speech of Saint Paul at Mars Hill in Koine greek. There is, to me at least, remarkable resonance between the polemic of Psalm 96 and the apologetic of Acts 17. The gods of the nations are idols but the Lord made the heavens! Your god is hypothetical and made by human hands, the Lord is the real and life-giving Creator and re-Creator. Hallelujah!

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