Worship & Psalm 33, part 4
Everyone worships something. Some worship their bodies -- though the older we get, the harder that becomes! Some worship sports. Some worship money or possessions. Others worship their own children. On and on it goes.
The writer of Psalm 33 describes worship to the one true God. First, we learn who is to worship God: the righteous. This is not about judging who is righteous and who is not. It's about understanding righteousness through the lens of the psalms. And through that lens, we see that the righteous are those who trust God and are grateful.
The writer of Psalm 33 then explains why righteous people worship God. Verses 4-5 state four reasons why the righteous rejoice, praise, make melody, sing and play to his glory.
1) "The word of the Lord is righteous." God's word provides life. His ways are good. The writer of Psalm 19 describes God's word as being sweeter than honey. In the ancient Near East, honey had restorative powers. Much like coffee today, honey could bring strength to a weary soul. God's word is such a blessing that it causes people to praise him.
2) "His work is done in faithfulness." God is faithful. Our minds may not completely understand what God is up to. But he is never absent, even when we might not sense his presence. He is faithful to his promises. Remembering his faithfulness makes people worship.
3) "He loves righteousness and justice." God cares about those who do the right thing, and he believes in justice. We might sometimes think that the world favors people who cheat, lie and hurt others. God takes note, and he will be faithful to those who listen to his words.
4) "The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." God's love is everywhere. Paying attention and seeing signs of his love should make people sing to him with joy.
The writer of Psalm 33 describes worship to the one true God. First, we learn who is to worship God: the righteous. This is not about judging who is righteous and who is not. It's about understanding righteousness through the lens of the psalms. And through that lens, we see that the righteous are those who trust God and are grateful.
The writer of Psalm 33 then explains why righteous people worship God. Verses 4-5 state four reasons why the righteous rejoice, praise, make melody, sing and play to his glory.
1) "The word of the Lord is righteous." God's word provides life. His ways are good. The writer of Psalm 19 describes God's word as being sweeter than honey. In the ancient Near East, honey had restorative powers. Much like coffee today, honey could bring strength to a weary soul. God's word is such a blessing that it causes people to praise him.
2) "His work is done in faithfulness." God is faithful. Our minds may not completely understand what God is up to. But he is never absent, even when we might not sense his presence. He is faithful to his promises. Remembering his faithfulness makes people worship.
3) "He loves righteousness and justice." God cares about those who do the right thing, and he believes in justice. We might sometimes think that the world favors people who cheat, lie and hurt others. God takes note, and he will be faithful to those who listen to his words.
4) "The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." God's love is everywhere. Paying attention and seeing signs of his love should make people sing to him with joy.
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