“Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!”
I spent some time on the Maine coast last week, and returned here to the “coastland” of Long Island (in fact, the Jewish Publication Society translates the Hebrew here as “islands”). And so I’m reflecting today about the theology of “place.” How is God present and at work in our particular, unique place—our particular coastland among the many coastlands?
Or perhaps this question: how are we tending to God’s work on our particular coastland? How are we embodying gladness in God’s holy name right here? Places are specific—so is God’s engagement with us, and God’s expectation for us. What does that specificity look like for you today?
Psalm 97
1The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
4His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
6The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
7All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
8Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
9For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
11Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!