January 9 – Praise the Name of the Lord

January 9 – Praise the Name of the Lord

Psalm 148:1-14

We’re discussing how God has revealed Himself to the world in my Systematic Theology class right now.  One of the ways, God reveals himself is through His creation.  Scriptures tell us over and over again that creation sings praises to Him.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the crowd sang out His praises.  The Pharisees wanted Him to rebuke them, but he said, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).

Psalm 19 says that “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1, 3-4).

How can we not praise the Lord God who has made Himself known to us in such glorious ways?  The Psalmist calls on all of creation to Praise the Lord!

“Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angles; praise him, all his hosts!” (Psalm 148:1-2)

We aren’t alone when we praise the Lord.  Even though we don’t see the hosts of heaven, we have record of them singing God’s praises in the book of Luke when they announce Christ’s birth and in the Revelation when they surround the throne.  Imagine an angelic choir amplifying your praise many times over.  We don’t praise God alone.

“Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!” (Psalm 148:3-4)

The Lord asks Job if he has seen the storehouses of snow or the treasures of hail in Job 38:22.  From the sources of light in the sky to the precipitation that falls on the earth, creation is commanded to praise the Lord!

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!” (Psalm 148:7-10)

There is nothing in creation that escapes the command to praise its creator.  Every single living thing, everything that exists is called upon to lift up praise.

“Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children.” (Psalm 148:11-12)

From the greatest to the lowest, from the oldest to the youngest; and everything in between – Praise the Lord.

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:13)

There is no king greater than God, there is no ruler who is more majestic, there is no person who is exalted above the Lord.  It is to Him we give praise.