Thoughts for the Day

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

After the weeks of reflection during Lent that included a sombre examination of our habits and our lives in general, I am sure like me you reached the high point of Easter Sunday with great joy. I noticed with a real sense of wonder during the day that one or two christians were greeting one another with the words "The lord has risen!" to be answered with the response "He is risen indeed. Alleluia!"

Since then we have had six days of readings all about the resurrection appearances of our Lord, but we are able to return to that moment of joy on Easter morning, through the words of today's reading from Psalm 150. The psalter is composed of five books of psalms, and the first four end with the doxology:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; 
Praise Him, all creatures here below; 
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host: 
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

However, the fifth book rounds off the Psalter with an entire psalm of praise. The whole world, heaven and earth, are to praise God with every part of their being, indeed with every breath, for all His marvellous acts.

When we sing or read Psalm 150 may we praise God especially for His saving work through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Father-God,
we praise You for Your greatness;
for Your love for all Your creatures;
for the blessings You to give us each day;
for when you have protected us from danger;
for the rescue plan You put in place for us;
for the times You have forgiven us our sin;
for those moments You pick us up and carry us;
and for the still small voice that speaks to us.
Amen.