As a new year begins, the words of Psalm 148 ring out:
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from heaven! Praise God on the heights!
Praise God, all of you who are his messengers!
Praise God, all of you who comprise his heavenly forces!
Praise God, all of you who are his messengers!
Praise God, all of you who comprise his heavenly forces!
Sun and moon, praise God! All of you bright stars, praise God!
You highest heaven, praise God!
Do the same, you waters that are above the sky!
Do the same, you waters that are above the sky!
Let all of these praise the Lord’s name
because God gave the command and they were created!
God set them in place always and forever.
God made a law that will not be broken.
because God gave the command and they were created!
God set them in place always and forever.
God made a law that will not be broken.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all you ocean depths!
you sea monsters and all you ocean depths!
Do the same, fire and hail, snow and smoke, stormy wind that does what God says!
Do the same, you mountains, every single hill, fruit trees, and every single cedar!
Do the same, you mountains, every single hill, fruit trees, and every single cedar!
Do the same, you animals—wild or tame—
you creatures that creep along and you birds that fly!
Do the same, you kings of the earth and every single person,
you princes and every single ruler on earth!
Do the same, you young men—young women too!—
you who are old together with you who are young!
you creatures that creep along and you birds that fly!
Do the same, you kings of the earth and every single person,
you princes and every single ruler on earth!
Do the same, you young men—young women too!—
you who are old together with you who are young!
Let all of these praise the Lord’s name because only God’s name is high over all.
Only God’s majesty is over earth and heaven.
God raised the strength[ of his people,
the praise of all his faithful ones—
Only God’s majesty is over earth and heaven.
God raised the strength[ of his people,
the praise of all his faithful ones—
that’s the Israelites, the people who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
As we continue in the season of Christmas into Epiphany (we will celebrate January 8), Psalm 148 directs our attention, and summons the cosmos to praise God for sustaining life.
As the new year begins, let us pause...collect our busied minds… and reorient ourselves in the heart of God to join in this chorus of praise and thanks.
Blessings in the New Year,
Pastor Candice
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