Day 916: Psalm 148- Hallelujah From The Heavens And The Heart

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his hosts!
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
    praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
    and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!
    For he commanded and they were created.

6 And he established them forever and ever;
    he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
    stormy wind fulfilling his word!
 
9 Mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Beasts and all livestock,
    creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
    princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and maidens together,
    old men and children!
 
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
    praise for all his saints,
    for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!
 
 
Meditation
Praise the Lord!
 
The Lord is worthy to receive worship from all the stars in the skies to the saints He has saved, and everyone and everything in between. Hallelujah must rise from the hearts of humanity to the heavenly hosts above.
 
“Hallelujah!” is the word translated, “Praise the Lord!” (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14) The lyrics from today’s psalm command praise from all creation and all God’s covenant people- Praise the Lord! Like a massive funnel, the command to give praise to the Lord begins as wide as the universe and ends with the heart of the redeemed. When we praise the Lord, we join all creatures and all creation in jubilant celebration. Praise the Lord!
 
Praise from Heaven (1-10) is commanded from stars and angels, created entities often receiving misplaced praise from fallen people. Yet they were created and established by the Lord and should sing His praises with the rest of creation. Weather patterns, places such as mountains and fields, and all animals that populate creation are commanded- Praise the Lord!
 
Praise from Hearts (11-14) of people on the earth is commanded from kings, all who God’s grace has redeemed, and everyone in between. The Lord alone is creator of all and the redeemer of His people. The Lord alone is worthy of hallelujah from our hearts! The Lord sent His horn (14, Luke 1:69), the Savior of His people. The Lord is worthy of praise. Hallelujah is commanded from the hearts of His people.
 
Praise the Lord!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the command to sing “Hallelujah!”  focused on all creation and all peoples, especially God’s redeemed?
 
-Why is it difficult to join the chorus and choir of creation in singing “Praise the Lord” with our lips and lives? What holds us back?
 
-How can you praise the Lord today, offering “Hallelujah!” from your heart? Be specific and ask God’s Spirit to help you take the steps of praise He is leading you to take.
 
Key Verse
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens… 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him, Praise the Lord!