Reading 15—It’s Christmas in July
Psalm 96
READ PSALM 96
It’s Christmas in July.
Not really, but today’s psalm is appointed for use during the Christmas Eve Service, “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice. For the LORD comes to judge the world with righteousness and truth” (paraphrase v. 11, 13). The popular hymn Joy to the World, makes reference to this psalm. But before this psalm was used as the basis of a Christmas hymn, it held an important place in the life of the people of Israel.
Originally, the Psalms were Israel’s hymnbook.
In Hebrew, this psalm is known as Shiru Lashem (“Sing to the Lord”) and repeats the word “sing” three times.
According to the 11th century commentary on the Psalms, the Midrash Tehillim, these three instances allude to the three daily prayer services:
Shacharit—Morning prayer, corresponding to “Sing a new song to the LORD” (verse 1)
Mincha—Afternoon prayer, “Sing to the LORD, all the earth” (verse 1)
Maariv—Evening prayer, “Sing to the Lord, bless the name of the LORD.” (verse 2)
Additionally, this psalm is one of the six psalms prayed to welcome in the Shabbat, the Sabbath.
In both Jewish and Christian life, this psalm unequivocally states that God is in control. God is to be praised “above all gods; for all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.”
This psalm is a touchstone, a way to remember that in spite of wars, violence, poverty, strife, illness, and all the ways that we can become world-weary, God is in control. God’s righteousness and love redeems all creation, not just humans. Trees, rivers, oceans, mountains, all sing praise to the Creator.
In Celtic Christianity, the natural world constantly sings its cosmic praise to God. This song, the great Oran Mór praises the Creator of the World. We too can join our voices in this song.
To Consider
Where in creation do you hear God’s song of love and grace?
Listen to the hymn Joy to the World. What new words or phrases catch your attention?
Creator God, You sang the world into creation. Help me hear and sing that song of creation so that all may know your love and grace. Amen.
Pastor Laura Wind lives in Winston-Salem with her husband Heath, her daughter Catherine, and Nike the dog. When not searching for her keys or her coffee, or plotting her next novel, she is planning to hike the Appalachian Trail.
