Psalm 148 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 148 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Verse 2Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Verse 3Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
Verse 4Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Verse 5Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
Verse 6He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Verse 7Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
Verse 8fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Verse 9Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Verse 10Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Verse 11Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Verse 12Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Verse 13Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
Verse 14He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
Devotion
This Advent we are invited to move beyond the sounds of the market place and to listen with different ears. Writers of psalms and hymns call us to listen to the sounds of creation in praise of the coming Christ. Let the whole creation cry (LBW 242). Praise the Lord you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens (Psalm 148:4)! With ears wide open let us listen to God's new song. Then let us join the chorus.
Prayer
O Lord, creator of heaven and earth and of all things seen and unseen: incorporate us in that vast choir which sings your praise. Visit us with your salvation and enter every trembling heart. Amen.