Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever— he issued a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord.
—Psalms 148:1-14

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Hallelujah I
Jennifer Kane

Hallelujah, praise the Lord from the heavens,
Raise your voices, all you angels, and sing.
Hallelujah, His love is unshaken, steadfast as the morning sun,
Mercy flowing like mighty rivers, cleansing every stain of sin.

Hallelujah, His promises never waver,
A foundation unbroken, a rock that stands firm.
Hallelujah, praise Him, highest heavens,
And waters above the skies.

Hallelujah, His blessings fall unearned,
Like rain on thirsty ground—grace upon grace.
Unearned blessings fall, hallelujah!
For at His command they were created.

From heavens above to earth below, His name is praised.
Hallelujah, praise the Lord from the earth,
You great sea creatures and ocean depths.
Hallelujah, His peace calms the storms within,
A whisper that stills the raging winds.

Hallelujah, His strength is made perfect in weakness,
A tower of refuge, steadfast through the storm, a shelter from fear.
Hallelujah, you mountains and all hills,
Fruit trees and all cedars, praise His name.

Hallelujah, He provides each moment, each breath,
His hand sustains all who trust in Him.
Hallelujah, His justice shines radiant and pure,
A beacon of truth that never dims.

Hallelujah, creation declares His majesty,
From the smallest bloom to the vastness of the skies.
Hallelujah, let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Hallelujah, His Word endures through every age,
Sharper than a sword, unbroken by time.
Hallelujah, sin and death lie defeated,
Chains broken by the Risen Son.

Hallelujah, all creatures lift their song,
Praise the Alpha and Omega, the everlasting King.
Hallelujah, let heaven and earth unite in praise,
For His goodness and faithfulness endure forever.
Hallelujah, forever and always—hallelujah!
Endless praise to the King of kings.

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Scripture: Psalm 148:1-14

Psalm 148 is a magnificent call for all of creation—heavenly and earthly—to join in praise of Yahweh. This hymn of praise lifts our hearts to see the grandeur of God, reminding us that His glory is revealed not only in His mercy but in the beauty, order, and majesty of all He has made.

From the highest heavens to the depths of the seas, everything is summoned to praise Yahweh. The angels, the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the creatures of the sea, and even weather phenomena like fire and hail all join the chorus. This universal praise reminds us that God is not just the Creator of humanity but the Maker and Sustainer of all things. Every element of creation exists to glorify Him.

“For He commanded and they were created” (Psalm 148:5). The psalmist directs us to consider that the heavens, the earth, and everything in them owe their existence to God’s spoken word. Each created thing, from the smallest creeping insect to the mightiest king, reflects His power and purpose. How much more should we, as His image-bearers, glorify Him in our words and deeds!

“For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven” (Psalm 148:13). The psalm reminds us that no one and nothing can compare to God. His name is above every name, and His glory transcends the universe. This truth challenges us to resist the temptation to worship anything other than Him—whether idols of wood and stone or the idols of wealth, success, or self.

While all creation praises Yahweh, His people have a unique relationship with Him. Psalm 148:14 declares that He has “exalted the horn of His people” and drawn near to them. This nearness is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who has brought us into fellowship with the Father through His sacrifice.

Psalm 148 calls us to live lives of constant worship. Whether we are experiencing the beauty of creation, facing trials, or celebrating victories, we are invited to join the eternal symphony of praise. This psalm also reminds us of our role as stewards of creation, reflecting God’s glory by caring for the earth and all He has made.

Take a moment today to step outside and observe God’s creation. Whether it’s the brilliance of the stars, the rustling of leaves, or the song of a bird, let these things draw your heart to praise the Creator. Write your own hallelujah prayer or poem, inspired by what you see and feel. Let it be your personal Psalm 148.

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Heavenly Father,
We join with all creation in praising Your holy name. From the heights of the heavens to the depths of the seas, we proclaim Your greatness and power. You spoke, and all things came into being. You sustain the universe by Your word, and Your glory is above all the earth.

Draw us nearer to You, Lord, that we may reflect Your light in the world. Teach us to live lives of worship, bringing honor to Your name in all we do. May our hearts overflow with hallelujahs, as we join the eternal chorus of praise to You, our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

December 29 2024