Read
Come Praise the Lord
1Shout praises to the Lord!
Shout the Lord's praises
in the highest heavens.
2All of you angels,
and all who serve him above,
come and offer praise.
3Sun and moon,
and all of you bright stars,
come and offer praise.
4Highest heavens, and the water
above the highest heavens,
come and offer praise.
5Let all things praise
the name of the Lord,
because they were created
at his command.
6He made them to last forever,
and nothing can change
what he has done.
7All creatures on earth,
you obey his commands,
so come praise the Lord!
8Sea monsters and the deep sea,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
and every stormy wind,
come praise the Lord!
9All mountains and hills,
fruit trees and cedars,
10every wild and tame animal,
all reptiles and birds,
come praise the Lord!
11Every king and every ruler,
all nations on earth,
12every man and every woman,
young people and old,
come praise the Lord!
13All creation, come praise
the name of the Lord.
Praise his name alone.
The glory of God is greater
than heaven and earth.
14Like a bull with mighty horns,
the Lord protects
his faithful nation Israel,
because they belong to him.
Shout praises to the Lord!
Reflect
There is a musical cadence to this psalm, evoking a picture of the psalmist as a conductor cueing each part of the natural world to join in a great celestial chorus. With a sweep of his baton he commands the stormy winds to hold the bass line. With a gentle gesture he calls upon the birds to add soprano trills. Hail adds percussive rhythm.
The psalm moves in parallel with the creation story—from the heavens, to the ocean depths, to the wild creatures, to all people. Each exhortation to praise becomes more immediate and personal.
How does the natural world praise God?
At the time of creation all God’s handiwork perfectly fulfilled the purpose for which it was created. Its beauty, complexity and diversity brought glory to God. And God directed his people to be stewards of the earth to maintain this harmony.
In a sense, he asked them to be conductors in an orchestra of environmental praise.
This psalm reminds us of our responsibility to rejoice when creation flourishes, displaying the work of the Creator and reflecting praise to God. In the context of a world that evokes wonder the name of the Lord inspires even greater awe.
The book of Revelation describes the author’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth. At that time we will truly hear creation’s song of praise, and join in the chorus with the words, ‘Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honour, power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!’
Respond
Heavenly Father, your creation was designed to praise you. Help us restore this world so that it honours its Creator. May we find joy in this calling. We anticipate the day when you will make all things new. Amen.
Miriam Wickett
Miriam Wickett works as an occupational therapist in the Greater Vancouver area but has thoroughly enjoyed being the author of daily online prayer compilations on her Blue Stone City site, and collaborating with Scripture Union Canada as a result. She shares a vision for the city with her community at Tenth Church, serving as the refugee support ministry co-ordinator, and spends summers as a volunteer camp director on beautiful Thetis Island, B.C.