Psalm 148 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 148 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Verse 2Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Verse 3Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
Verse 4Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Verse 5Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
Verse 6He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Verse 7Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
Verse 8fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Verse 9Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Verse 10Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Verse 11Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Verse 12Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Verse 13Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
Verse 14He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
Devotion
Psalm 148 enormously broadens our understanding of God's all-inclusive community. The psalmist calls all of creation—non-living and living —to join together in praising the Lord. The psalmist reminds us of the time "in the beginning" when “God saw everything," declared it "very good" (Genesis 1:1, 31), and called humans to care for creation.
Tomorrow is International Day of Families with this year’s focus placed on improving our creation care. We recognize that people society marginalizes—children, seniors, women, persons of color, individuals experiencing poverty—are least responsible for environmental changes. However, pollution, droughts, and floods impact them most, and they—our siblings in God's family—are least able to escape disasters and rebuild their lives.
God calls us into a community that includes all people. God also calls us to care for all creation. Our caring seeks justice so that everyone can live in a vibrant community that includes all creation in praising the Lord!
Prayer
Creator God, forgive us for not fully caring for your creation. Help us to seek environmental justice so that all people—together with all creation—can join in praising you. Amen.