SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148
“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.” (Psalm 148:13)
Let everything and everyone, everywhere and always, praise the Lord.
This is a creation psalm, it ties everything together in and around God.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
God put humans in charge of His world, and so you might say we are the ‘choir directors’.
We are “close to His heart”; when we live that way the whole creation rejoices.
But when we don’t praise God, as long as we don’t live for and love God, the whole creation groans.
“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:19-22)
The creation is groaning because of us, it is waiting to be liberated when the children of God are restored.
Why else do stones sing when Jesus arrives – a new Adam restored, God’s kingdom coming.
“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples! (for praising God because of Jesus).’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’ (Luke 19:39-40)
Creation is praising God, because of Jesus… are we?
“And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants!” (Psalm 148:14)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, every sound and movement in creation is an expression of it’s joy and longing for You. May my life as Your servant give creation more reasons to praise You!
Observations/Application
Praise the Lord.
This is repeated over and over again – 12 times. And how often do I do this?
Everything and everyone should praise the Lord. From the heavens and from the earth, all must praise Him. I must learn to do just that today and always. I must live a life of praise. He is my all in all.
Praise Him.
Praise the Savior now and ever;
Praise Him, all beneath the skies;
Prostrate lying, suff’ring, dying
On the cross, a sacrifice.
Vict’ry gaining, life obtaining,
Now in glory He doth rise.
Man’s work faileth, Christ’s availeth;
He is all our righteousness;
He, our Savior, has forever
Set us free from dire distress.
Through His merit we inherit
Light and peace and happiness.
Sin’s bonds severed, we’re delivered,
Christ has bruised the serpent’s head;
Death no longer is the stronger,
Hell itself is captive led.
Christ has risen from death’s prison,
O’er the tomb He light has shed.
For His favor, praise forever,
Unto God the Father sing;
Praise the Savior, praise Him ever,
Son of God, our Lord and King.
Praise the Spirit, through Christ’s merit,
He doth us salvation bring.