Singing Trees

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. (Psalm 96:11-13 ESV).

 

As we continue our journey through the Psalms, I’ve come to a curious reference. Our reading today declares: “Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord” (v. 12). The reference is to a time when even nature will see the final redemption of God. I can only wonder what the music from the trees might sound like. I know that there has always been a special place in my mind for “the music of the mountains.” My children would tell you the stories of our trips through the Smoky Mountains in years long ago now as I would turn the radio off in the car, roll down the windows, and tell them to listen to the “music of the mountains.” Most of those times were met with protests and rolling eyes. The wind passing in the windows, the smells of the mountains forests, the gurgling sounds from the stream flowing beside the road all seemed to combine in a wonderful song to me. Perhaps that’s what the psalmist means.

 

Regardless, it harkens to a future when all will be made right. It is a song about the only real King who will establish a realm that will bring order and stability into our lives and our world, a kingdom that is firm and solid. This King is none other than our God, the King of justice, righteousness, and peace. All creation sings this new song: the heavens, the earth, the sea and all its creatures, the fields and all their wildlife—even the trees catch the beat and “sing for joy.”

 

It shouldn’t surprise us to know that the message of this psalm is the same good news proclaimed by Jesus: God reigns! “The kingdom of God has come near” (cf. Mark 1:15). And like the preaching of Jesus, this psalm calls for a decision; it invites us to submit to God’s sovereignty, to enter the reign of God: “Repent and believe the good news!” (cf. Mark 1:15b).

 

There is also a challenge to us in this psalm. The God who reigns insists on justice, righteousness, and peace in the lives of all people. God cares about how men and women live. God’s people are to live faithfully, proclaiming the truth of his kingship over all even as they live in a world that would like to pretend God is not its King. I find this message of the coming of Jesus to bring greater comfort as I age a bit and the world seems to grow more restless waiting for the righting of all the wrongs so common in our day. Perhaps it is sooner than we think! Be ready!