Reveal | Day 7- March 1 | Psalm 96

The great philosopher, Steve Martin, once said, “You can’t play a sad song on a banjo.” A more important statement is, “It’s hard to be sad while one is praising God.” Praise takes our mind off our problems and puts our focus on God’s power, majesty, and love. It’s hard to be sad when our focus and praise is on God.

This Psalm is quoted in 1 Chronicles 15. In that context, David prepared a place for the Ark of the Covenant and the Levites carried the ark into the tent. I Chronicles 15:16 says, “David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps, and cymbals.” (I think a lyre is kind of like a banjo).

1 Chronicles 16:23-33 contains a song of thanksgiving to the Lord from David that is much like Psalm 96. The Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God. Earlier David defeated the Philistines, by God’s guidance, and took the Ark of the Covenant from the Philistines. They had stolen it from the Israelites because they had not followed God’s commands and he allowed the Philistines to defeat them and seize the ark. Now all of Israel rejoiced because the ark was back and God was with them.

Psalm 96 is a reminder that God is faithful. If God made the heavens (Psalm 96:5-7) then He can certainly take care of his children. Verse 10 tells us to proclaim to the nations that God reigns and promises that the world shall never be moved. If we feel like our prayers aren’t getting through, and that God seems far away, there is something we can do. We can still praise God. Psalm 22:3 says, “God inhabits the praise of His people.” If we live a life that praises God in all things, then God says He will be there.

Praise must be important. The Lord’s Prayer begins with, “Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be your Name.” (Matthew 6:9)

Whatever circumstance you find yourself in, I encourage you to keep your banjo (heart) in tune and praise the Lord.