Psalm 47
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
Reading this psalm, one can almost hear the hip-hop beat. "Clap your hands all you people! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!" Is everyone ready? It's time to dance! It's that deep, loud, bass rhythm that sets off the car alarms as the car cruises down your block. It's that almost primal urge to simply move to the rhythms of joy and wonder. This has the makings of a praise party. It is a time where God's people gather to revel in the sheer joy of claiming their heritage as God's own.
This is worship on a profound level. When the restraints are dropped and the heart is opened to God's transforming power, it is indeed time to clap the hands. When we shed the narrowness of our own viewpoints and embrace the sacred vision of God, the time has come to dance.
Yes, this is worship that is deep. It is an intimate and holy connection. But if it stops here it's only a party. If it doesn't go further than this, it sputters out and tires as surely as the dancers will in half an hour or so.
This worship, this hand-clapping, foot-stomping, shouting out to God is the first step in truly faithful worship. Real worship leads the people out of the sanctuary and into lives of justice and hope. The prophets are clear in this area. Isaiah asks us in chapter 58 about the kind of "fasting" that God wants.
Amos writes,
I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
-- Amos 5:21-24
Yes, let's stomp our feet and shout for joy! Let's join this psalmist in praising God, but please, please, let it not simply stop there.
This is worship on a profound level. When the restraints are dropped and the heart is opened to God's transforming power, it is indeed time to clap the hands. When we shed the narrowness of our own viewpoints and embrace the sacred vision of God, the time has come to dance.
Yes, this is worship that is deep. It is an intimate and holy connection. But if it stops here it's only a party. If it doesn't go further than this, it sputters out and tires as surely as the dancers will in half an hour or so.
This worship, this hand-clapping, foot-stomping, shouting out to God is the first step in truly faithful worship. Real worship leads the people out of the sanctuary and into lives of justice and hope. The prophets are clear in this area. Isaiah asks us in chapter 58 about the kind of "fasting" that God wants.
Amos writes,
I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
-- Amos 5:21-24
Yes, let's stomp our feet and shout for joy! Let's join this psalmist in praising God, but please, please, let it not simply stop there.
