Meditation of the Day: Psalm 33:1-3

"Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
          Praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; 
          make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Sing to him a new song; 
          play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts!"
               (Ps. 33:1-3, ESV)


Lessons for Worshipers:

1. Worship involves joyful shouting (as well as quiet reverence)!  God wants the whole of our being (including emotions!) engaged.  He wants us to wear our hearts on our sleeves sometimes!  Are you holding back?
2. Only the righteous can worship! (cf. Ps. 24) God repeatedly warns against bringing "worshipful words" before Him when our lives are full of blatant disregard for His commands (cf. Isa. 1:10-17; Micah 6:8).  But the truth here is made even more glorious through the cross of Jesus Christ: God has attributed the righteousness of His Son to all those who embrace Him by faith (Rom. 3:21-26, 2 Cor. 5:21)!  Because of HIS righteousness and HIS sacrifice for US, WE can come before God's throne in confidence!  Amen?
3. Skillful music played unto the Lord is worship.  God loves music and values excellence (cf. Exod. 31:1-11, 35:10-19)!  Even instruments, when played skillfully, are offerings of THANKSGIVING to Him!  Striving for excellence in "performance" is never futile: it glorifies God!  (But beware of the potential for idolatry!!!)
4. God loves NEW music (as much as old music).  He commands us to sing Him new songs.  This is a perpetual decree for all generations.  Of course, we should sing old songs as well (as the canonization of the Psalms as Scripture attests; cf. also Col. 3:16)!  Some critics of "contemporary" (i.e., new) worship music warn that newness doesn't necessary equal quality or usefulness in worship.  Agreed!  (We are not only to play skillfully, but also to write skillfully!)  But we must strive to continue to write and lift up new songs of praise to our Lord, because, at the very least, God has not ceased gifting His children for this task!  The church NEEDS a steady infusion of new music. (This, of course, has practical implications for Sunday worship song selection; but that's another topic for another time!)

Hope these words were a challenge and encouragement to you!  Please feel free to contribute your thoughts.

Good day, friends!