Praise God!
Opening Prayer
Lord God, help me to clear my heart and mind now and to focus only on You.
Read PSALM 65:1-13
[1] For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song. Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. [2] O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. [3] When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. [4] Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. [5] You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, [6] who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, [7] who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. [8] Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy. [9] You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. [10] You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. [11] You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. [12] The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. [13] The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What are some reasons for praising God given here?It is a joyful exercise to work through Psalm 65 and list all the reasons why God merits praise. Having, at last, reached the end, we can then return and consider deeper meanings of truths such as “The streams of God are filled with water …” (9). Little wonder the psalm begins by declaring that “Praise awaits you, God” (1). It is, indeed, almost as if the elements of his creation are eagerly waiting in line, hoping for their chance to express eternal truths.
At first, these happy verses might seem a long way removed from the severe injunctions of Exodus. Yet here, at the heart of the celebrations, we can find God’s order and authority. It is noteworthy that the rest of creation seems very much at ease with this order, accepting the proper place of ridge and furrow without much angst. We humans, alas, need the constant provision of forgiveness in order to join in the party (3). But, through Jesus, we can join in at last.
Apply
Take the time now to praise God for one of his wonderful attributes that you find here in this psalm.
Closing prayer
Lord, You surely are worthy of all praise and worship. May I always gladly give it to You.
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