Day to Day, Sing to God

By: Rev. Talitha Arnold

Sing to the Lord; bless God’s name; tell of God’s salvation from day to day. - Psalm 96:2 (NRSV) 

  

As I write this reflection, there’s a skunk in my bathroom and an odiferous dog in my laundry room. They’ve been there since last night when I’d innocently let my dog out, and all hell broke loose in the backyard. Dog found skunk, skunk sprayed dog, dog chased skunk into house, owner drove dog (not skunk) to emergency vet, then made a fruitless midnight search for hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. 

 

As I write this reflection, it’s also my birthday.  

 

I’d planned to start my new year with quiet time and coffee, followed by a walk with the aforementioned dog. I’d planned to finish this reflection, then ease into prep for a Saturday funeral and Sunday worship. Now, I just want to growl my way into the year ahead. 

 

Psalm 96 changes my tune. Day to day, the psalmist sings, “Sing to God, bless God’s name, tell of God’s salvation.” Not just on the good days, but every day.  

 

So, by the grace of God, I follow the ancient composer’s advice and start the morning with a hymn I learned in seminary, “How Can I Keep from Singing?” 

 

My life flows on in endless song; above earth's lamentation, I hear the sweet though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. 

 

With the smell of last night’s escapades wafting through the house (and no plan yet for getting the skunk out of the bathroom), the hymn’s promise of a new creation feels quite far off. Yet the hymn has already sustained my life and ministry for decades. 

 

This morning is no exception.  

 

Prayer

God of endless song, “through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing. It sounds an echo to my soul—how can I keep from singing?”