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
The Old Testament is replete, as in today’s psalm, with the encouragement of God’s people to "Praise the name of the Lord!" In earlier days the Hebrews were forbidden out of reverence even to speak the name of the Lord (Jahweh) for it was so holy. Instead, it became acceptable to use a substitute designation, Adonai, or Lord. Why the change?
As we grow in our spirituality, our grasp of descriptions for God are expanded. The prophet Micah responds to the question, "How shall I bow myself (praise) before God on high?" with this answer: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" To "praise God" is to carry out the example of Christ—to love our neighbor.
Prayer
Energize us, Lord, to praise you in all our works of love. Amen.