—Psalm 148—In Sunday’s psalm, the psalmist calls upon all of creation—those on the earth, those under the sea, and those in the heavens—to join in a chorus of praise to the LORD. Animate and inanimate, all of creation proclaims the glory of the LORD.
Psalm 148 is part of the Psalter’s concluding section that offers and calls for praise to the Lord.
Psalms 146-150 are linked by the words “praise the Lord” that appear in the first and last verse of each psalm. Psalm 148 focuses on God’s control of the created order as reason for praise. But verse 14 also hints at God’s salvation of Israel as reason to celebrate God’s might.
Psalm 148 is a glorious Psalm of praise to the LORD! There is no doubt, after reading this Psalm, that the LORD alone is to be praised above all, for there is no other one like Him. Not only are we commanded to praise the LORD, but all of creation; from the heavens above to the earth beneath, are called to praise Him.
As verses 9-12 make clear, human beings stand in alongside other animals and the inanimate objects of the earth to praise God. This suggests that the human exercise of dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26, 28) is intended to be a partnership for the good of creation and ultimately to give glory to God. As stewards there is a great responsibility to care for and preserve of the natural resources the LORD has given us.
In spring new life returns back to the once dormant earth. Soon, area farmers will return to their fields in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. As the world awakens from a long winter’s slumber the entire earth breaks forth in celebration of the life around us. This particular Psalm is appropriate for use in this Easter season.
Collect for Psalm 148: God Most High, by your Word you created a wondrous universe and through your Spirit you breathed into it the breath of life. Accept creations’ hymn of praise from our lips, and let the praise that is sung in heaven resound in the heart of ever creature on earth, to the glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
A Prayer for Agriculture – Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper, we implore You, the work of farmers, grant them seasonable weather that we may gather in the fruit of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness with thanksgiving. May we see by this noble vocation that with Your help they feed the world. And cause all those who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with both honor and respect; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment