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
The psalmist seems so joyful in this song! In each and every place all of creation is called on to “Praise the Lord!”. From everywhere, with everything, the call is to “Praise the Lord!” Praise is the beginning and ending of all things. Okay! That’s really wonderful. Now, where do I fit in in my daily life? Can my life truly be that joyous every moment? Can this possibly be real and realistic?
I am a hospice chaplain. I see a lot of people who are dying, and many whose families are already mourning. Maybe, this praise of the Lord is not always the shouting from the rooftops, but the quiet, steady flowing of the River of the Water of Life that is given freely to all in need. What better way to praise the Lord than to share God’s Water of Life with all who will receive?
Prayer
Lord God, help me to always praise you in every instance and circumstance of my life as it touches others. Amen.