A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.
(1) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; (2) to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, (3) to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. (4) For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. (5) How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! (6) The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: (7) that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; (8) but you, O LORD, are on high forever. (9) For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered. (10) But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil. (11) My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. (12) The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (13) They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, (15) to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Psalms 92:1-15 ESV
This has been high on my all-time hits list since 1985. That was when the Lord called us to New York to help build His church in a beautiful little college town on the Susquehanna River. He specifically asked us to build a place where the righteous could gather, grow, and flourish like palm trees and cedars in Lebanon. Church is an oasis in the desert. On this beautiful Sunday, I encourage you to enjoy a day of Sabbath rest that includes the elements of Psalm 92, a Song for the Sabbath.
- Sing praises and give thanks to God for His love and faithfulness.
- Recount the great things He has done for you.
- Declare the defeat of the enemy. Thank God for freeing you, lifting you out of his grasp, and anointing you with fresh oil.
- Thank God that you are growing and flourishing because you are planted in his house. (If you’re not a committed part of a community of believers, this is the day to do something about that.)
- Thank God for a body of believers where the young and the old can interact and build generational faith. Talk to someone from a different decade today!
- Rejoice that we can continue bearing fruit, be strong and useful all the days of our lives, even in old age.
- Never forget the purpose: to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Tell somebody!
Have a wonderful day!
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