A reflection on Isaiah 61:10-62:3 & Psalm 148 for Sunday, December 27, 2020
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God
Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3 (NRSVA)
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
He established them for ever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 148 (NRSVA)
There is a determination in the heart of God that is reflected in our Isaiah reading. Nothing is going to stop YHWH raising up ‘righteousness’. Indeed, it will ‘spring up before all the nations’.
And the response of the world will be praise.
Isaiah seems to celebrate an extravagant generosity. God has clothed and covered with what he compares to the garments of the bride and bridegroom on their wedding day. It is also like a slow-growing garden producing ‘righteousness and praise’.
Yes, Jerusalem will shine among the nations – inspiring worship on an international level: ‘Nations shall see…’
Even Isaiah’s vision, however, does not encompass all that will be. The author of Psalm 148 sees much more than the rejoicing of all the earth’s nations. The vision offered is far greater than all people ‘rejoicing’
This is all creation in worship mode.
The great lights of our universe – and beyond – are invited to bring their praise. Sun. Moon. Stars.
The might and life of the seasons. Snow. Hail. Fire. Frost.
The earth itself is invited through the mountains, hills, and trees. All animals – both wild and domesticated. The earthbound and air-bound.
Finally, we the people – kings, princes, rulers. Men and women. Old and young.
To say the least, it is a comprehensive picture. A full – and wide – invitation.
And all this – so strongly echoing our Isaiah reading – a response to the promise fulfilled to Israel. Yes, ‘He has raised up a horn for his people…’
And the entire universe cannot but be filled with overflowing joy!
Conversation Starters:
When have you found yourself most caught up in response to the salvation of God?
How do these readings invite you into a deeper sense of mystery as you worship?