Daily Devotion – December 21, 2020 – Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison
Psalm 148
148:1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
148:2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
148:3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
148:4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
148:6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
148:8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
148:9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
148:10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
148:11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
148:12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!
148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
148:14 He 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!
A song of unadulterated praise!
Sometimes we are in a mood simply to praise God. Usually for me those times are just deliriously happy times. I am so full of good will the praise just leaks out.
In Jewish culture, in moments of great loss and sadness and even anger, one is supposed to say, “The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” For one thing, such a statement reminds us that everything, including life itself, is a gift from the Lord. And such a reminder might lead back, even in grief, to moments of praise. Good habits promote good thinking and acting.
But rarely do we think as this psalmist does, of all of the various creatures praising the Lord, including waters above the heavens
sea monsters
stormy wind
mountains and all hills
fruit trees and all cedars
wild animals
cattle
creeping things
flying birds
If we could just remember that we, too, are creatures, maybe it would be easier to live in the perpetual act of praising God. I’m going to try an experiment. On my next moody morning (or afternoon or evening) I’m going to imagine myself to be a sea monster or stormy wind, and immediately try praising the Lord. And then I’m going to see what happens.
Gracious God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for the psalmist who painted these pictures of everything alive praising you. Help us to try it, too, no matter what our mood or circumstance. Then help us learn.
Amen.
