READ Psalm 81:1–4. 1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2 Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre. 3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival; 4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
THE COMMAND TO REJOICE. The very strength of this call to worship raises questions. We are not merely invited but commanded as a decree and statute to worship God with joy (verses 4). How can we “rejoice to order”? There are many ways we can do so. Since there are solid reasons why Christians ought to have joy, there are “valid means of awakening and ensnaring it.”78 Ephesians 5:19 tells us to use skillful music, to immerse ourselves in the psalms themselves, and to learn how to turn our hearts to God in gratitude moment by moment during the day. Also, we are commanded to meet regularly with one another for public worship (Hebrews 10:25), and we should not neglect this. Are you rejoicing in God?
Prayer: Lord, my mind has no inclination to fix itself on you and your worthiness, purity, and beauty. My thoughts attach to useless things. Help me turn them toward you and your grace habitually, all day, so that I can “make music in my heart” (Ephesians 5:19) to you. Amen.