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148 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
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!
(ESV)
It is a word that has become obsolete in many Christian circles. Sin. The rebellion of man that separates us from God is our primary issue in life. The Bible opens in Genesis with the majesty and wonder of our Father in Heaven orchestrating life. Not soon after, we find the source of all evil and suffering in the world. It is the catalyst for sex trafficking, racism, hate, mass murderers, serial rapists, and child abuse. How can we not talk about sin when it has destroyed our planet and seemingly grows darker with each passing day?
Who is responsible for this? Not God. He is holy and worthy of all praise, as this psalm beautifully articulates.
And He has lifted up a horn for His people, Praise for all His godly ones; Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD!
Psalms 148:14 NASB
When we consider how holy God is, it is implausible to think that such a Being would reach down into our lives and rescue us from the vile and wicked results of our choices.
The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
Psalms 99:1 NASB
And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”
Isaiah 6:3 NASB
God’s holiness alone results in praise. Even before Jesus stepped onto the scene, the mighty acts of God drew praise from His people. Now, even more than ever, our praise must be reserved for Him and Him alone. Jesus has come to take away the sin of the world! Freedom is here! Our debt has been paid! If the thought of God’s grace doesn’t leave you humbly broken and full of praise and gratitude, you just aren’t getting it.