Reflection on the Word in our Worship
Tell it out among the nations, “The Lord is King; *
it is he who has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he shall judge the peoples righteously.”
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; *
let the sea make a noise, and all that is therein.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; *
then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.
For he comes, for he comes to judge the earth, *
and with righteousness to judge the world,
and the peoples with his truth.
-Psalm 96 10-13
The belief of fallen man that righteousness, truth (i.e. dependability), the rule of justice, and the Lord himself are the enemies of joy, is scouted by this passage. Where God rules (it implies), his humblest creatures can be themselves; where God is, there is singing. At the creation. ‘the morning stars sang together’; at his coming, the earth will at last join in again; meanwhile the Psalter itself shows what effect his presence has on those who, even through a glass, darkly, already see his face. -Derek Kidner
The Collect of the Week
Set us free, loving Father, from the bondage of our sins, and in your goodness and mercy give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3:6-12
Psalm 96 (below playlist)
New Testament Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-22
Psalm 96
1 O sing unto the Lord a new song; *
sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
2 Sing unto the Lord and praise his Name; *
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his honor to the nations, *
and his wonders to all peoples.
4 For the Lord is great, and highly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the Lord who made the heavens.
6 Glory and majesty are before him; *
power and honor are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe unto the Lord, O you families of the peoples, *
ascribe unto the Lord worship and power.
8 Ascribe unto the Lord the honor due unto his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
10 Tell it out among the nations, “The Lord is King; *
it is he who has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he shall judge the peoples righteously.”
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; *
let the sea make a noise, and all that is therein.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; *
then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.
13 For he comes, for he comes to judge the earth, *
and with righteousness to judge the world,
and the peoples with his truth.