Monday, November 18, 2024

Tuesday prior to Christ the King

Psalm 93; key verse, verse 1 - “The Lord is King.”  This refrain is the theme of the entire day – The Lord is King. He is the king above all other kings, the one and true God. We offer Him our worship and praise for He is worthy of our worship, praise, glory and honor. He is truly the Christ, our King.

There is no title to this psalm in the Hebrew text. It is a short, bold declaration of God’s might, power, and holiness. G. Campbell Morgan said of Psalm 93, “Interpretation is almost an impertinence. Let it be done reverently.”

“Psalm 93 describes a theocracy, as do the seven psalms that follow it. The words Yahwehmelek (‘Jehovah reigns’ or ‘Jehovah is king’) are the watchwords of these theocratic psalms.” (James Montgomery Boice)

The LORD reigns, Psalm 93 begins suddenly and wonderfully with the proclamation of Yahweh’s rule. This lifts the covenant God of Israel over every idol and pretender of sovereignty. [2]

The theme for the last Sunday of the church year is the King and His Kingdom.  Without any difficulty, the theme of kingship can be seen in the lessons. We now come to the end of the church year. Throughout the year, we have covered the life, work, and teachings of Jesus, and it comes to a glorious climax today with a “Hallelujah Chorus.” The Gospel lesson (John 18:33-37) reminds us that Jesus’ kingdom is not a worldly kingdom. The Old Testament lesson (Daniel 7:13-14) pictures the Son of Man upon His ascension receiving an eternal and universal kingdom. The King of kings will return to earth, according to the Epistle lesson (Revelation 1:4b-8). The refrain of the Psalm for the day could not be plainer: “The Lord is King.”

 

Collect for Psalm 93 Lord Jesus, king of glory, when you rose from the grave in the power of the Spirit,, you firmly established your kingdom, never to be shaken or destroyed by death. May your will be done on earth as in heaven until the Church is made holy by your embrace, our Redeemer and our Lord.[3]



[1] The New Heaven,  Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[3] Collect for Psalm 93, For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV. © The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY


 

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