All Creation Sings
Opening Prayer
God of All, You are beautiful and good and all creation brings You praise.
Read PSALM 148:1-14
[1] Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. [2] Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. [3] Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. [4] Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. [5] Let them praise the name of the LORD, for at his command they were created, [6] and he established them for ever and ever- he issued a decree that will never pass away. [7] Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, [8] lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, [9] you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, [10] wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, [11] kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, [12] young men and women, old men and children. [13] Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. [14] And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who is joining in the chorus of praise?Although praise punctuates the book of Psalms, Psalms 145 to 150 provide a crescendo which brings the whole book to a triumphant close in worship of God.This particular psalm divides into two main sections, the themes of which can be seen in the opening lines of verses 1 and 7. See if you can spot them. Praise is offered to the Lord “from the heavens” in verses 1 to 6 and “from the earth” in verses 7 to 12. Praise belongs to God from the heavenly hosts and the shining stars. Praise belongs to God from the world and the people in it–young and old, kings and children! All are leveled in praise of God. Verse 13 sums it up: the Lord’s splendor is “above the earth and the heavens,” once again capturing the two main themes of the psalm. But the psalmist also adds the image of the “horn” (14), often signifying strength and salvation, the promise of God’s blessing not just on creation but especially on his people. The psalm paints a big picture of a great God. It invites us to step in and join the praise of the one who is over all things and yet still keeps his people “close to his heart” (14).
Apply
Spend some time in God’s creation and join with the heavens and the earth in bringing him praise.
Closing prayer
Beloved King, You are fully worthy and I join saints, angels and all creation in bringing You praise.
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