JULY 28
Psalm 148:13, “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.”
We had a choir at our church in Astoria, led by a gifted and experienced director. The choir sang from time to time during Sunday services and on special occasions like Easter and Christmas, and even shared music with residents at the nearby assisted living facility. Our director had a remarkable ability to bring out the best in each of us, skillfully blending our unique voices and talents to serve the music. The invitation to join was always open, because the choir was at its strongest—and most beautiful—when many voices came together to offer praise to God.
Just as our church choir welcomed every voice—each unique and valuable—Psalm 147 calls on all of creation to join in praising God. The psalmist invites the rebuilt city of Jerusalem to rejoice, celebrating God’s restoration and care for His people. He calls upon the scattered Israelites, reminding them of God’s faithfulness in gathering them from exile. The psalm also exhorts the mountains to praise, and the animals of the field, which depend on God for their sustenance. Even the winds and weather are portrayed as part of God’s creation that responds to His command. In this way, the psalm paints a vivid picture of a world overflowing with praise—from people to nature—all united in worshiping the Creator who sustains them.
Just as every voice matters in a choir, each of us has a unique part to play in the daily chorus of praise to God. Finding our place in this great choir means living with awareness that our actions, words, and attitudes reflect the Creator we worship. Whether in moments of joy or difficulty, in how we treat others, we join the psalmist in offering praise through our lips and lives. When we choose to trust and obey and love Jesus by loving others, we add to the harmony of God’s praise in the world around us. Praising God is not only about singing on Sunday—it’s about enjoining ourselves to a universal choir that gladly and wholeheartedly acknowledges God for His majesty, as our creator and redeemer.
“Let us praise God for what He is, not for what we see; for what He does, not for what we feel; and not for our emotions, but for His own infinite perfections.” — Charles Spurgeon
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: In what ways can you intentionally join the “choir” of creation today by praising God through your actions, attitudes, or words in your daily interactions? How does remembering God’s care for all His creation—both great and small—encourage you to trust Him with the challenges and relationships in your life?
LookingtoJesus 