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In Praise of the Lord's Kindness
1Shout praises to the Lord!
You are his servants,
so praise his name.
2All who serve in the temple
of the Lord our God,
3come and shout praises.
Praise the name of the Lord!
He is kind and good.
4He chose the family of Jacob
and the people of Israel
for his very own.
5The Lord is much greater
than any other god.
6He does as he chooses
in heaven and on earth
and deep in the sea.
7The Lord makes the clouds rise
from far across the earth,
and he makes lightning
to go with the rain.
Then from his secret place
he sends out the wind.
8The Lord killed the first-born
of people and animals
in the land of Egypt.
9God used miracles and wonders
to fight the king of Egypt
and all of his officials.
10He destroyed many nations
and killed powerful kings,
11including King Sihon
of the Amorites
and King Og of Bashan.
He conquered every kingdom
in the land of Canaan
12and gave their property
to his people Israel.
13The name of the Lord
will be remembered forever,
and he will be famous
for all time to come.
14The Lord will bring justice
and show mercy to all
who serve him.
15 Idols of silver and gold
are made and worshiped
in other nations.
16They have a mouth and eyes,
but they can't speak or see.
17They are completely deaf,
and they can't breathe.
18Everyone who makes idols
and all who trust them
will end up as helpless
as their idols.
19Everyone in Israel,
come praise the Lord!
All the family of Aaron
20and all the tribe of Levi,
come praise the Lord!
All of his worshipers,
come praise the Lord.
21Praise the Lord from Zion!
He lives here in Jerusalem.
Shout praises to the Lord!
Reflect
Why should we praise the Lord? Why shouldn’t we just eat, drink and be merry? (see Luke 12:19). Why shouldn’t we simply live an entitled life? In a free-wheeling, sex-loving, ambition-driven, selfie-focused world, why should we waste time exalting, extolling and glorifying the Lord?
Here’s why:
He is the Lord – the eternal God (v 1)
He is good, kind and lovely (v 3)
He is great – higher than all other gods – ruler of all (v 5)
He is sovereign – from the depths of the sea to the outer reaches of space (v 6)
He is the Creator who puts the weather in motion (v 7)
He is the Deliverer who sets the captives free (vv 8-9)
He is the Conqueror – strong and mighty (vv 10-11)
He is the Provider who gives an inheritance to his people (v.12)
He is the Eternal One whose fame is known to every generation (v 13)
He is compassionate, just and merciful (v 14)
He is not a meaningless, manufactured, blind, deaf, dumb, lifeless idol (vv 15-17)
He is the true God who can see and speak and hear and save (vv 19-21)
So think about who he is! Sing his praises! Worship him again, and again, and again!
[Great in Power, Hillsong – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yavf5RbGfrs ]
Respond
Lord, you are good and your love endures forever. Thank you for who you are and what you do. Thank you for your goodness, greatness and governance. Help me to sing your praises forever. Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners