Read Psalm 89.1-18

I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever;
                with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
                your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
                I have sworn to my servant David:
                 ‘I will establish your descendants forever,
                                and build your throne for all generations.'”
Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
                your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,
                 a God feared in the council of the holy ones,
                great and awesome above all that are around him?
O LORD God of hosts, who is as mighty as you, O LORD?
                 Your faithfulness surrounds you.
                 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.
                 You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
                                you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
                 The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
                                the world and all that is in it–you have founded them.
                 The north and the south–you created them;
                                Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
                 You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.
                 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;                   
                                steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
                who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance;
                 they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

 

From Rev. Jayne L. Chafin, Parkersburg, WV

                Be honest, how many of you started singing “I will sing of your love forever,” before you finished the first line of this Psalm?  “With my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.”  Singing and celebrating, so many songs and hymns run through my mind!  Great is Thy Faithfulness, I Will Sing of Your Love Forever, Pass it On, How Firm a Foundation, How Great is Our God (sing with me!).   Songs of our hearts, songs of faith, praising our Savior all the day long.

                Indeed, happy are the people who know the festal shout.  All God’s people, living a life of praise and celebration with the song of our hearts, the festal shout, the life of praise and prayer!  Whether we think we can sing or not, whether or not we sing off-key, may we always sing with gusto, with lives that are lived in love and faithfulness, for that is a song that will carry us through the ages as we celebrate all that God has done for us.

Fill my heart with song and my lips with praise, O God my Savior!