May 14, 2011

Psalm 105:1-25 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Mark 12:35-44, 2 Corinthians 9, 1 Samuel 27-28

Journal Entry

Scripture

Psa. 105:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Psa. 105:2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!

Observation

The Psalmist emphasize the importance of calling upon the name of the Lord. He tells us that when we gather in worship, we not only give thanks to the Lord, but we call upon his name and make his deeds known among the peoples. The Psalmist emphasizes the importance in v.1 to declare God's name in worship. This emphasis in declaring the name of the Lord is important because of all that He has done. And from vv. 3 - 25, he gives us reasons why we must declare the name of the Lord. It give a short narrative account of God's favor upon His people. And this is all the more the reason why we must express such gratitude with others. And one of the ways we declare the name of the Lord is through a song (v.2). What we can't sometimes express with our own words, we can do it through a song. There's a powerful expression and intimacy in worship when we praise God through singing. Sometimes a song can express something we cannot express in words. The Psalmist encourages us to let Him know of His wondrous works! Let God know how wonderful He is!

Application

As a worship pastor at YNCC, I get to witness many expressions in worship. I get to not only lead people in worship and encourage them to sing their praises to God, but I also witness genuine worship flowing out of our people. And yet, what the Psalmist instructed Israel to do is also applicable to me. The reason why the Psalmist was able to encourage God's people to remember His faithfulness is because he himself remembers of God's faithfulness. The Psalmist experienced God's goodness first hand. Thus, even as a worship leader/pastor, I too must express God's goodness not just by encouraging others to do so, but through my own declaration of His wondrous works on a daily basis.

Prayer

Father, you are great! You make beautiful things in and out of our lives! So I worship you this day and I declare Your goodness amongst Your people! And as we gather in worship this Sunday, may we remember Your wondrous works! May we, as a corporate body, remember and celebrate Your favor and the community in which You have given unto us!

--p. caleb