PRAISE the LORD

This morning my two oldest children requested that we read scripture together. Our family has a tradition of reading Psalms together. We alternate who reads two verses at a time and this morning we read Psalm 148. Today’s ePray has a simple instruction and invitation but before I get into that, let’s read Psalm 148 together:

Psalm 148 (NLT)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens!
Praise him from the skies!
2 Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all the armies of heaven!
3 Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you twinkling stars!
4 Praise him, skies above!
Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!
5 Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,
for he issued his command, and they came into being.
6 He set them in place forever and ever.
His decree will never be revoked.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you creatures of the ocean depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and clouds,
wind and weather that obey him,
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock,
small scurrying animals and birds,
11 kings of the earth and all people,
rulers and judges of the earth,
12 young men and young women,
old men and children.
13 Let them all praise the name of the Lord.
For his name is very great;
his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
14 He has made his people strong,
honoring his faithful ones—
the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

As I read this with my children I began to wonder what I could learn from Psalm 148. If this was the only scripture that I ever read or had access to, what would it teach me about God and my relationship with Him?

This Psalm instructs us to PRAISE the LORD. It calls all creation and all people to praise the Lord. Why? Through this Psalm we learn that He is the creator, and that He strengthens His people. God is worthy of praise.

This Psalm’s personal invitation is simple. It invites us to PRAISE the Lord. Like you, I believe its wisdom to act upon the commands of scripture. Today, Psalm 148 calls you to praise the Lord. It invites you to leave the concern of your day and lift your voice and hands in praise to God. A God who gave His Son in death and resurrection. A God who called you His own. A God who sustains you, heals you and leads you. He is worthy of your praise. It is right to praise the Lord.

I conclude with this. Psalm 100:4 says to enter His “courts with praise”. Wisdom is to act on the commands of scripture, so today I propose this: if we desire to enter the courts of God, we must enter with praise. What blessing and intimacy with God awaits if we would but praise the Lord.