Trees Singing For Joy (Psalm 96:12)

 


Monday, August 11, 2025


Psalms 95; 96

2 Samuel 17:15-18:4

Acts 15:36-16:10


Observances: Clare of Assisi (d. 1252);

John Henry Newman, cardinal and theologian (d. 1890)


Trees Singing For Joy (Psalm 96:12)


 Let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.


Having dipped my toe into the world of volunteer bush care, I have discovered the great enemy of the flora of South East Queensland: the dreaded Cat’s Claw vine. Raised as I was with the romance of the bush in poetry and paintings, of great gum trees reaching up towards the stars, with the eyes of mysterious marsupials glowing at their base, the reality is somewhat different. If there are any glowing eyes, they are hidden behind the leaves of this pest, and the trees reach not so much towards the stars as pull away from the vine that is growing up their trunks.


But there is plenty of good work being done all around the place reclaiming our green spaces for endemic plants. And when you come across a really nice bit of bush hidden amongst the suburbs, it is worth stopping and taking some time to appreciate it. And perhaps think of Psalm 96 when you do. We hear of the Lord coming to judge the world in righteousness; to right every wrong; to make his good creation well again. And the Psalmist takes images from the natural world in order to give us a mental picture to help with our appreciation of this great spiritual reality.


We can look at a bit of bush that is well-cared-for and imagine the trees of the forest singing for joy. All the pest plants cleared away giving the plants room to breathe, and the native creatures coming and enjoying their natural environment. In a similar way, the Lord comes and clears away the pest plants of the spiritual realm, ripping out the vines of selfishness and greed, giving our souls room to breathe in the light of his presence.


How do you think the fields and forests of your soul are doing at the moment? What kind of work could the Lord do in clearing away the weeds so that everything in you may exult and sing for joy?


Lord, you are beautiful in your holiness and faithful in your righteous judgements: clear away the weeds of our souls by the purifying presence of your Holy Spirit, that we may join in the rest of your creation in singing a new song of your salvation.

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