Holiday Hymns - Psalm 81

Sing for joy to God our strength; shout in triumph to the God of Jacob. Lift up a song — play the tambourine, the melodious lyre, and the harp. Blow the horn on the day of our feasts during the new moon and during the full moon. For this is a statute for Israel, a judgment of the God of Jacob. He set it up as an ordinance for Joseph when He went throughout the land of Egypt.

Psalm 81:1-5 HCSB

It is no secret that I love Christmas music. In fact, as I read and write this I am listening to instrumental Christmas music on Pandora radio. It brings me peace. It brings me joy. It brings me hope.

Christmas is more than music, though. It is more than gifts. It is a time to remember the birth of the Savior of the World. It is a time to reflect on God loving us enough to send his Son. It is a time to ponder Jesus’ faithfulness to the will of the Father and love for us. It is a time to be humbled by God becoming man. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and all that one event entails.

Thanksgiving is not a day for big meals and football. It is a day to recount all the blessings that God has given us. It is a time to be grateful for his grace and mercy.

Easter is not a season for chocolate and eggs. (What a gross combination if you stop and think about it.) No, it is a time to be marveled by an empty tomb and the promise of life eternal.

These days are holidays, or “holy days.” Days we are to reflect on the greatness, faithfulness and love of God the Father, Christ the Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is where Psalm 81 comes in. This is a holiday hymn. It was sung on the day when the Israelites would celebrate God’s hand in allowing them escape Egypt. The song begins with celebrating God.

If we were to take the time to celebrate God on our own holidays, I believe we would look at each of the holidays differently, correctly. We would see them as a time to reflect on God, not our selfish selves. And as we remind ourselves of the greatness of God, we will fall to our knees in worship.

This Christmas, find your holiday hymn that helps you to reflect on the goodness of God. Then worship him rightly.