Psalm 65:12,13
Did you ever hear little hills rejoice and valleys sing?
David did, and therefore after writing about the goodness of God wherewith He crowns the year, he wrote in Psalm 65:12-13: "They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks: the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing."
Our versification explains this a bit in these words (PRC Psalter):
The hills and vales with verdure clad,
Are girt with joy the earth is glad,
New life is all abroad;
With feeding flocks the pastures teem
With golden grain the valleys gleam;
All nature praises God.
There you have it: All nature, that is, creation, praises God. Whether we hear it or not, all creation does praise God. And do we not often say that actions speak louder than words?
It does take a pair of spiritual ears to hear creation sing of God's power and wisdom. And even though this earthly creation lies under the curse, creation does sing of God's goodness. God is good, He is right in all that which He does. The way He treats every creature is good; and He never does anything that is evil. He never makes a mistake. And all creation sings, that is, manifests His goodness.
The question is whether we hear creation shout and sing God's praises. The unbeliever may hear the sound in the powerful waterfall: but he cannot distinguish the words. He does not hear it as God's power and wisdom. He sees the valleys gleam with grain but does not hear the song of God's power, wisdom, and faithfulness.
But what about you? Do you need a spiritual hearing aid? Do you see God's beauty in creation and the works of His hands? Remember that David began this Psalm with the words, "Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion." Are you in Zion? If you hear His praise in creation, you surely are yourself going to sing His praises loudly for salvation, as well as for all the works of His hands in creation.
Read: Psalm 148
Psalter versification: #169:3
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #234
Why not sing along??
****
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezekiel 20:1-49
Hebrews 9:11-28
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 27:11
****
Quote for Reflection:
"Note how the voice of the flesh is always saying "my," "my." Get rid of this "my" and rather say: "Glory to Thee, O Lord!" And then you will be saved. For the prudence of the flesh is such that it seeks only its own, and it fears its own misery more than failure to glorify God, and thus it seeks its own will more than God's will. And thus we must have a different mind toward God than toward man." ~Martin Luther, Works, v. 25, p.376.
Additional Info
- Date: 9-November
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.