Lake James Pokagon State Park
Psalms 146 through 150
begin and end with the call “Praise the Lord”. An examination of the ancient
Hebrew meaning of the word which we commonly, and even casually, use in church
reveals this…”The verb hālal means
"praise." "This root connotes being sincerely and deeply
thankful for and/or satisfied in lauding a superior quality or great, great acts
of the object."
There should
be a sense of great thankfulness as we praise God. It does not appear that God
seeks empty lip-service. It seems that because he has been wonderfully generous
with his creation that all of creation might respond with joyous acknowledgement.
As we
approach Earth Day, April 22, 2021, let us, along with all other created
moments and objects of existence release from our innermost sense of identity
an applause that will reach to the ears and heart of God.
Psalm 148
speaks of all things in existence offering this applause to God.
Let us join
their unending hymn…
Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens:
praise him in the heights.
2 Praise
ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise
ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4 Praise
him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5 Let
them praise the name of the Lord: for
he commanded, and they were created.
6 He
hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall
not pass.
7 Praise
the Lord from
the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8 Fire,
and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9 Mountains,
and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10 Beasts,
and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11 Kings
of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both
young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13 Let
them praise the name of the Lord: for
his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 He
also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the
children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.
