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Psalm 98 | King James Audio Bible
YouTube: Psalm 98 | KJV | King James Version | Audio Bible | Word Aloud
Psalm 98 is a celebratory composition, urging everyone to sing a new song and rejoice in the remarkable things the Lord has done. The psalm is like a lively tune that encourages believers to express joy for the Lord’s strength and victory over challenges. Throughout its verses, the psalm invites worshippers to participate in a universal celebration that applauds God’s triumph, making it a psalm of joyful praise and thoughtful reflection.
The opening verse sets the mood: ‘Sing to the Lord a new song; He has done marvelous things. His right hand and holy arm have secured victory.’ This call to sing isn’t just about music; it is an invitation to acknowledge God’s impressive feats and the strength that led to victory.
Verse two reinforces this theme: ‘The Lord has made His salvation known openly to all nations.’ The psalmist communicates a message of universal salvation, emphasizing that God’s righteousness is on display for everyone, not just a chosen group.
Expanding on this idea, verse three states, ‘He remembers His mercy and truth towards Israel; all the earth witnesses the salvation of our God.’ The psalm connects God’s covenant with Israel to a broader narrative of salvation that reaches the ends of the earth.
Verse four is a call to make a joyful noise, signaling a widespread celebration: ‘Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; rejoice, and sing praise.’ It is an open invitation for everyone to join in jubilation and express gratitude through various forms of worship.
Musical instruments add depth to the celebration: ‘Sing to the Lord with the harp, with trumpets, and the sound of a cornet. Make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.’ The psalmist incorporates instruments to enhance the worship experience, making the celebration more vibrant.
Nature is called upon to participate in verses seven and eight: ‘Let the sea roar, and its fullness; the world, and those who dwell in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together.’ Here, the natural world is depicted as actively joining in the celebration, emphasizing inclusivity of worship.
The psalm reaches its climax in verse nine, anticipating God’s judgment: ‘He is coming to judge the earth with righteousness and the people with equity.’ This final verse underscores expectation of a fair judgment aligned with the principles of justice.
Psalm 98 | King James Audio Bible
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Psalm 98 | King James Audio Bible
- Triumphant Celebration: Psalm 98 is a jubilant celebration, inviting all the earth to sing a new song and rejoice in the marvelous deeds of the Lord God.
- Divine Victory: The psalm exalts the Lord’s right hand and holy arm, emphasizing divine strength that secures victory over challenges and adversaries.
- Universal Salvation: The message of salvation is proclaimed openly to all nations, extending beyond the chosen people of Israel to reach the ends of the earth.
- Remembrance Of Mercy And Truth: The psalm reflects on God’s mercy and truth, linking the covenantal relationship with Israel to a broader narrative of universal salvation.
- Inclusive Worship: A call for all the earth to make a joyful noise, emphasizing a global participation in the worship of the Lord with instruments, singing, and praise.
- Nature’s Participation: The natural world is invoked to join the celebration, with the sea, floods, and hills depicted as active participants in the grandeur of worship.
- Anticipation Of Divine Judgment: The psalm concludes with an anticipation of the Lord’s imminent judgment, emphasizing the righteousness and equity that will characterize God’s judgment of the world.
- Musical Orchestration: Instruments such as the harp, trumpets, and cornet are called upon to enhance the musical orchestration of worship, adding richness to the symphony.
- Cosmic Rejoicing: The psalm portrays a cosmic celebration, where not only humanity but also nature itself responds joyfully to the divine presence.
- Timeless Anthem: Psalm 98 is a timeless anthem, echoing through the ages as an invitation to join in the harmonious chorus of worship, praising the Lord for His salvation and righteous judgment.
YouTube: Ash Wednesday | T.S. Eliot | Audio Christian Poetry | Word Aloud Ash Wednesday, one of T.S. Eliot’s most profound and enigmatic poems, marks a significant transition in his life and work. Written in 1930, it is the first long poem Eliot composed after his conversion to Anglicanism in 1927. The poem, often considered one of Eliot’s masterpieces, delves into themes of faith, redemption, and spiritual struggle. It reflects the poet’s personal journey towards spiritual enlightenment and serves as a testament to his newfound religious beliefs. A reading of Ash Wednesday is an exploration of the poem’s religious, literary, and personal contexts, as of the poem’s complex structure and themes. Religious Context And Symbolism Ash Wednesday is deeply embedded in Christian symbolism and tradition. The title refers to the first day of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar, a day marked by penance, fasting, and prayer. Ash Wednesday is a time for reflection on mortality and repentance, themes that are intricately woven throughout the poem. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism profoundly influenced his writing; ‘Ash Wednesday’ is an expression of spiritual awakening and quest for redemption. The poem is replete with religious imagery and references, drawing on Christian doctrine and scripture. The use of liturgical language, biblical allusions, and references to saints and spiritual figures creates a tapestry of faith that invites readers to contemplate deep spiritual truths with which Eliot is grappling. The repetitive and prayer-like quality of the verses echoes meditative practices of the faithful, in part enabling the contemplative nature of the poem. Literary Influences And Techniques T.S. Eliot was a master of literary allusion and technique, and Ash Wednesday expresses Eliot’s ability to blend various influences into a cohesive whole. The poem reflects the influence of Dante, particularly The Divine Comedy, which Eliot admired for its exploration of spiritual ascent and redemption. Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven parallels Eliot’s own spiritual journey, and the structure of Ash Wednesday can be seen as a reflection of this pilgrimage. Eliot’s use of fragmented narrative, a hallmark of his earlier work such as The Waste Land, is also present in Ash Wednesday. However, in this poem, the fragmentation serves a different purpose. Instead of depicting the disintegration of modern society, it mirrors the fragmented and often painful process of spiritual rebirth. The disjointed structure reflects the internal struggle of the speaker, who is torn between the pull of worldly desires and the aspiration for divine grace. The poem’s language is rich and varied, combining the lyrical and the obscure, the personal and the universal. Eliot employs a range of poetic forms and devices, including free verse, rhyme and meter, to convey the tumultuous journey of faith. The shifting tone and style reflect the complexities and contradictions inherent in the spiritual quest, capturing moments of doubt, despair, hope, and transcendence. Personal Significance Ash Wednesday is a deeply personal work. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism marked a profound shift in his life, providing a sense of purpose and direction that had been missing. The poem can be read as a reflection of Eliot’s own struggles with faith and his efforts to reconcile his intellectual skepticism with his desire for spiritual certainty. Eliot’s personal experiences, including his troubled marriage and professional pressures, also inform the poem. Themes of renunciation and acceptance, sin and redemption, are not merely abstract concepts but lived realities for the poet. This personal dimension adds a layer of intimacy and urgency to the poem, which thereby resonates with readers who have faced their own spiritual crises. Thematic Exploration At its core, Ash Wednesday is a meditation on the possibility of spiritual renewal in a world that often seems devoid of meaning. The poem grapples with the tension between faith and doubt, reflecting the existential struggles of modernity. The poem acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining belief in an age of skepticism but ultimately affirms the possibility of redemption and grace. The central theme of renunciation is explored through imagery of ascension and purification. The speaker’s journey is marked by a series of renunciations, symbolizing the shedding of earthly attachments in pursuit of spiritual truth. This process is neither straightforward nor easy; it involves moments of intense struggle and introspection. Yet, through this arduous journey, the speaker moves closer to a state of spiritual clarity and acceptance. Ash Wednesday | T. S. Eliot Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I do not hope to know The infirm glory of the positive hour Because I do not think Because I know I shall not know The one veritable transitory power Because I cannot drink There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again Because I know that time is always time And place is always and only place And what is actual is actual only for one time And only for one place I rejoice that things are as they are and I renounce the blessèd face And renounce the voice Because I cannot hope to turn again Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something Upon which to rejoice And pray to God to have mercy upon us And pray that I may forget These matters that with myself I too much discuss Too much explain Because I do not hope to turn again Let these words answer For what is done, not to be done again May the judgement not be too heavy upon us Because these wings are no longer wings to fly But merely vans to beat the air The air which is now thoroughly small and dry Smaller and dryer than the will Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still. Pray for us sinners now […]
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