Praise

Psalm 150 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

This is one of my favorite Psalms. I've often thought of it as proof that God likes a good party or a great concert! That THAT is what worship is meant to be: an effusive, wonderful, display of our best artistic and musical and non-musical but joyful efforts. I've often heard people refer derisively to worship that is like a concert or a party, yet I've been at some concerts (and even some parties), where I've felt God walk in the room more clearly and fully than some services I've been to! Singing together with 60,000 other people at a U2 concert has been praise and worship for me!

This psalm tells us not only how to praise God, but why we praise God. As post-resurrection Christians, we could probably add a few things to the Psalmists list: Praise God for new creation! Praise God for new life and forgiveness! Praise God for the small moments of joy! Praise God for suffering not having the final say!

How would you write this psalm on your heart? How do you praise God? With song? With banging a hammer to rebuild homes for those with need? By teaching Sunday School? By tithing? By playing the drums? The guitar? The harp? The cello? The piano?

By waking up every morning with gratitude for this life we've been given?

There are many ways to praise. Don't be afraid to try a few on for size! God's greatness is big enough for all manner of rejoicing!

Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! May the praise flow always from my lips and heart! Amen