Psalm 97:1 Adonai is king, let the earth rejoice,
let the many coasts and islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
setting ablaze his foes on every side.
4 His flashes of lightning light up the world;
the earth sees it and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Adonai,
at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images will be put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols.
Bow down to him, all you gods!
8 Tziyon hears and is glad, Adonai;
the daughters of Y’hudah rejoice at your rulings.
9 For you, Adonai, most high over all the earth,
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love Adonai, hate evil!
He keeps his faithful servants safe.
He rescues them from the power of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in Adonai, you righteous;
and give thanks on recalling his holiness.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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Growing up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains allowed frequent visits to Glacier National Park. So I have a sense of what the psalmist is feeling when the psalmist says, "The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice." I have experienced the joy of nature giving glory to God as part of my earliest awakenings of religious faith--long before I was baptized into Christ as an adult.
However, when Pope Francis and others suggest that climate change is casting a shadow over our human future here on earth, threatening impoverishment and human trafficking for many of the earth's children, it seems that our rejoicing in the Lord needs also to include concern for the care of the earth and all of its creatures. Our giving thanks for God's holy name surely must include changes in our behavior and systems as we celebrate the beauty of our blue planet.
Lord of Creation and Sabbath rest, give us an earth-honoring faith that allows us to rejoice with you and all the earth as we give thanks for your holy name. Amen.
Glen Wheeler
Retired
Master of Divinity, 1966
Psalm 97:1 The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name![New Revised Standard Version]
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Growing up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains allowed frequent visits to Glacier National Park. So I have a sense of what the psalmist is feeling when the psalmist says, "The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice." I have experienced the joy of nature giving glory to God as part of my earliest awakenings of religious faith--long before I was baptized into Christ as an adult.
However, when Pope Francis and others suggest that climate change is casting a shadow over our human future here on earth, threatening impoverishment and human trafficking for many of the earth's children, it seems that our rejoicing in the Lord needs also to include concern for the care of the earth and all of its creatures. Our giving thanks for God's holy name surely must include changes in our behavior and systems as we celebrate the beauty of our blue planet.
Lord of Creation and Sabbath rest, give us an earth-honoring faith that allows us to rejoice with you and all the earth as we give thanks for your holy name. Amen.
Glen Wheeler
Retired
Master of Divinity, 1966
Psalm 97:1 The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name![New Revised Standard Version]
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