Dr. Ligon Duncan, the Chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary, points out that sometimes when we gather to worship as a church family we sing songs TO God.  Sometimes we sing songs ABOUT God.  You can tell when we are singing TO or ABOUT God by the use of pronouns used in the lyrics.  Dr. Duncan say, they give the “direction” of the song.  Songs to God address him with “you.”  In songs about God we sing using “Him” or “He.”  You may think it is better to worship only by singing directly TO our Lord.  However, God is also blessed and we are encouraged and awaken to His goodness and grace as we as a body of believers sing about Him to one another.  Sometimes, if we are honest (perhaps too often, if we are really honest), we arrive at church exhausted, distracted, discouraged, or otherwise not prepared to worship.  Our minds are elsewhere and our hearts are not ready to enter His courts with praise.  We need to first hear our church family around us singing ABOUT God, to be reminded of who we are there to worship.  We need to hear praises come out of the mouths of those around us, and out of our own mouths too, so we can incline our hearts and focus our minds for worship.

This week we will be looking at Psalm 98 which is about worship.  It speaks about God as it reminds us of the salvation He has already accomplished for those who believe in Christ.  It reminds us of His faithfulness in the past and this final victory in the future when He will make all things right.  It reminds us of just how beautiful it will be the day all believers and all of nature are restored when He returns as judge.

I am looking forward to seeing you all again this Sunday, as we make a joyful noise together and sing ABOUT and TO our beautiful Savior.  We all need to do both.

In His grip,

James