1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love. NIV
Verse 1 urges the "righteous" to sing joyfully to the Lord. What would allow a person to be included with the "righteous"?
Verses 2-3 give instructions to praise God by using a harp and a lyre (another harp-like instrument). Should we understand these verses completely literally? If so, why don't we use a harp or a lyre regularly in our church worship services?
In our current day, what instruments do you think we should use in worship to God?
In the future, when you are 50 years older than you are today, what instruments do you think people will be using to worship the Lord?
Why might an older person like to praise God with hymns and organ music? How could you encourage them in their preferred worship style?
What reasons do verses 4-5 give for praising the Lord?
::::: Application Challenge :::::
How do the qualities of God mentioned in verses 4-5 work themselves out practically in your life?
::::: Equipping Challenge :::::
Those who are "righteous" should worship the Lord. Realizing that people throughout history and across the globe have used different styles of music to praise the Lord, take time in the next 24 hours to worship God in a new way with a new sound or different instrument than you would regularly use.