Psalm 96:1-9

This summer I've decided to paraphrase the lectionary Psalms as a prayer practice and then read prayerfully (lectio divina) with my own paraphrase.  Finally, I'll develop a breath prayer to take the transformed psalm with me into my week.  You are invited to join me and paraphrase the summer psalms for yourself.   As we work with the psalms and rewrite the text in our own words/using our own vocabulary, we will find deeper meaning as the week unfolds.  Since the psalms are prayers of dearly faithful people we can easily pray them into a type of conversational prayer language that lives and breathes our own faith.   

Psalm 96 is one of the "enthronement" psalms (93, 95-99) in which the Psalmist refers to God as "King" (see v 96:10) or refers to the reign of God over all of Creation.  Modern Commentators generally date the enthronement psalms to the time of the exile during which there was no Hebrew monarchy.  However, in the midst of chaos and captivity the worshiping community knows all is well for God is our "King!" 

Paraphrasing the Psalm ... 

Step 1:  Read the Psalm from a translated version, such the NRSV ... several times and out loud if you dare!    Get a sense of the underlying feelings of the Psalmist and the worshiping listeners.  

What overall message is the Psalm writer trying to convey to them?

What message are you hearing for your own life?

Psalm 96:1-9 (NRSV)
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.

Step 2:  Explore the images you find in the psalm and seek new ways of proclaiming the message in words and phrases that translate to the situation we find in our world today.  Be creative and think not in words but in ideas and give your psalm a sweeping form.  In what ways are we "exiled?"  Who or what competes with God for "kingship?   If we do not live in a monarchy (with a king/royal family) how would we express this concept for our environment?  Who or what are the idols we struggle with?   What kind of "new song" do we need to sing to God?  Where do we see God's glory?  How do we celebrate God's glory?  Where do we need to tell the story of salvation and wholeness?  How do we come into God's presence and worship?    What offerings do we bring?  Where are the "courts" of God in our lives?   How is our awe of God expressed through our bodies?  

Step 3:  Take up a journal OR pull up a blank document on the computer ... begin writing in a stream of consciousness with new images, words, and phrases.  Let the images grow and become.  Let the words and phrases emerge to translate the psalm anew in your own prayer language, a new song!

Step 4:  Paraphrase the Psalm with your own images in your own words and phrases ... here is mine and feel free to share yours in the comments

People of the World,

lift up your voices 

in prayer, praise and songs 

of joy never before heard!

Lift up your voices and 

praise God's Holy Name ... 

Lift up your voices 

every day and 

tell the World 

of God's Saving Grace!

Travel from land to land celebrating God's fingerprint

on nature and humanity

God's abundant mercy flows ... 

covering the tiny idols we worship with exalted Presence

Creation testifies to God's shining love 

from one end of the cosmos to the other

We bow before the beautiful earth and 

raise our hands to embrace the majestic sky blue trails 

along the edges of God's Creation Cathedral 

Acknowledge God as you worship!  

Introduce the people to God our Protector 

who hovers over us all 

Acknowledge God as you give thanks!

Bring the gift of your best self as you come into God's Presence

Let the radiance of God shine upon you, in you and through you

Join all of Creation as you adore God with your whole being 

Lectio Divina ... 

Step 1:  Read Psalm 96 slowly and reverently ... 

Use the NRSV text, my paraphrase or your own, or take link to use this Message Paraphrase:

What image, word, or phrase calls for your attention?  Spend a few moments pondering ... 

Step 2:  Read your selection again and reflect ...  

How does this paraphrase illuminate your life right now?

Step 3:  Read your selection again and respond ... 

What do you say to God about your life and how you are seeing God's presence in it?

Write a one-sentence prayer as an Amen to your time of lectio ... here is mine and feel free to share yours in the comments

O God, I long to linger along the edges of the Creation Cathedral basking in your Presence ...  

Step 4:  Rest ... Come to a place of silence within yourself and just "be" with God.

Breath Prayer ... 

Step 1:  In 3-4 syllables, what image of God is emerging from your time of prayer?

Step 2:  In 3-4 syllables, what prayer of desire is rising within you? 

Step 3:  Create your breath prayer ... here is mine and feel free to share yours in the comments

Breathe in … Majestic God  (pause) 

Breath out … I adore you  (pause)

As you continue to journey through your week, breathe!  And take the Presence of God with you through the breath prayer your have created from your time with Psalm 96:1-9 ... Amen!