New management
While we may not worship gods of wood or stone, our society’s idolatry is endemic in the consumerism and sensualism that impoverish us. And all the while, God calls us to live richly in his love and joy.
1 Yahveh reigns!
Rejoice, earth!
Celebrate, you far-off islands!
2 Clouds and darkness surround him.
He founded his throne
on doing what’s just and right.
3 Fire blazes before him
consuming his foes all around.
4 His lightning bolts light up the world.
The earth trembles at the sight.
5 The mountains melt like wax
at the approach of Yahveh
at the approach of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness
and all peoples behold his glory.
7 All those who worship idols are humiliated
who boast about their nothing-gods
for every god must bow before him.
8 Zion hears the news and celebrates
the towns of Judah burst into song, Yahveh
on learning how
you’re putting everything to rights.
9 For you reign supreme over all the earth
exalted far above all rival gods, Yahveh.
10 You who love Yahveh
hate evil.
He guards the lives
of those who are faithful to him
rescuing them from the grasp of the wicked.
11 Light dawns for God’s people
and joy wells up in those whose hearts are right.
12 Rejoice in Yahveh
you God-seekers.
At every mention of it
praise his holy name.
In proclaiming Yahveh king, the psalmist is announcing that the cosmos is under new management. This calls for cosmic celebration. She describes Yahveh in terms of mysterious clouds and darkness, but as a king determined to see justice done and relationships characterized by love. Her picture of his coming to earth reminds us of Sinai’s lightning, consuming fire, and mountains liquified by earthquake. She’s making it clear that Yahveh isn’t messing about—he’s utterly committed to seeing that his will is done on earth as in heaven.
The glories we behold every day in the skies above reveal God’s commitment to a beauty and order that’s right for all concerned. Everyone everywhere sees this, yet many persist in worshipping idols, bragging about their nothing-gods. While the powers behind those gods will all bow before Yahveh, leaving their worshippers humiliated, Zion and its surrounding towns sing for joy.
However, this proclamation goes out under circumstances showing that the change of management isn’t yet fully in effect, that the wicked still threaten God’s people. Nevertheless, he calls us to hate what he hates, celebrate his triumph over evil and praise his holy name. This calls for courage and for faith in God’s promise to protect us from evil and give us light and joy in him.
Lord, I rejoice that you’ve disarmed the evil powers bent on impoverishing us and are fully committed to filling creation with your love. Help me live into that reality—to love as you love and hate the evils you hate. Give me courage, protect me from evil and fill me with joy in you. Amen.
During your free moments today, meditate on these words:
Rejoice in Yahveh, you God-seekers.
At every mention of it, praise his holy name.
