April 14, 2011

Psalm 81 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Mark 5:1-20, 1 Corinthians 9:1-12, Judges 3-4

Journal Entry

Scripture

V.1 Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
V.2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.
V.3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
V.4 For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob.

Observation

The first four verses of this Psalm outlines the basic call and priority to worship. V.1 instructs us to sing aloud to God. Because God is our strength, we need to declare Him aloud with joy. And when we lift up a song (or raise) in v.2, we ought to use instruments such as tambourine, lyre and harp. In v. 3, the new moon and the full moon are the beginning and middle of months in Israel. It is intended as days of feast! And in v.4, these are the rules in which they must worship and celebrate. It is the statute for Israel.

The irony of these four verses are that they are in sharp contrast in relation to the rest of the chapter. From verses 6 - 16, God rebukes Israel for their disobedience (v.8) and their worship of foreign gods (v.9). There is a sense of deep disappointment from God's perspective. And yet, He still gives room for hope towards Israel. If Israel will only listen (vv.13-14), He would grant victory over their enemies.

Application

As a Worship Pastor, this verse hits home! I love God's commandments about our posture and implementations in worship. The first four verses really helps me to affirm God's people to sing aloud with joy when we are in God's presence. And not only do we sing, but God commands us to use all types instruments such as a loud tambourine and trumpet with stringed instruments like the lyre and harp. And God reminds us of such statue for His people. That worship is not a choice, but obedience.

One time, I heard someone say "worship is God's gift to us." And I struggled with that statement. Because when I read Psalm 81:1-4, it's clear that worship is a commandment. It's something that we must do. It's not a choice, but a sheer obedience to God. It's what keeps our relationship with God alive. It's the absolute source of what sustains our trust in God. Thus, it is clear in this chapter that God places high priority of worship when His people fail to obey and acknowledge Him. God almost sets up a reminder or a scenario as to how we need worship Him in the first four verses. And then He carries on rebuking Israel for their worship of idols which leads to a separation of trust and obedience.

Prayer

God, I need to understand Your priority, Your standard for worship. I must confess that a lot of times, even as a worship pastor, I struggle in my daily worship of you. And sometimes in our corporate worship, I am too fixated in wanting to sound good or wanting to see the congregation worship. And yet, I've failed by seeking worship of myself rather than of You. God, forgive me. Help me to be obedient and sensitive to the moving of Your Spirit... Help me to worship in Spirit and in Truth... In Jesus Name.

--p. caleb