First this…

Psalm 33 – I find this Psalm a helpful reflection when thinking in broad terms about the context and influence of any rehearsal.

Read the Psalm through preferably with at least two different versions [I used the NKJV and the MESSAGE]

Verses 1 – 3 ‘…sing to him a new song and play skilfully…’ or from the MESSAGE ‘…play his praise on the grand piano! Invent your own new song to him’

These verses carry a brief reference to developing skill as well as ‘heart’ in worship and the value of the individual as part of the body bringing their ‘own song’

…but I LOVE the broader context in the verses that follow.

This is about God’s word that is fair and true and all the justice and compassion issues that flow out of that.

It is about God loving the world and about God’s attention to detail in his design of creation [verses 6 – 7] coupled with God’s scorn of that which is pretentious.

I see too God’s awareness and concern of those he has made and God’s ability not only to be aware but to rescue…

The closing verses capture the response of the worshipper – a dependency on God!

I trust I’m not overstating it – but I am deliberately setting the rehearsal in the context of this Psalm.

I’m sure there are other Bible readings/stories that provide a useful framework – let me encourage you to adopt one too!

Geraldine Latty
28 November 2006