Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
—Psalms 111:1-10

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Great is God
By Jennifer Kane

Almighty Lord, You reign above,
Benevolent in endless love.
Compassion flows, Your mercies stream,
Deliverer of every dream.

Eternal One, the First, the Last,
Faithful through the future, past.
Grace unmeasured, freely poured,
Holy, holy is the Lord!

Immovable, Your truth will stand,
Just Judge with a gentle hand.
Kind and tender, near to all,
Love that lifts us when we fall.

Mercy new with every dawn,
Near to us, we are not alone.
Omniscient, all wisdom true,
Power strong, yet kind are You.

Quick to pardon, slow to blame,
Redeemer—blessed be Your Name!
Shepherd good, our steps You guide,
Truth that ever will abide.

Unfailing love that will not cease,
Victor crowned, our Prince of Peace.
Wisdom deep, beyond all sight,
Xenial Host who brings us light.

Yahweh, great “I Am,” adored,
Zealous love forevermore.

God is great, His praise we sing,
Our everlasting Lord and King!

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Scripture: Psalms 111:1-10

There are moments in life when the greatness of God takes our breath away. Sometimes it’s the sight of a starry night sky, the comfort of answered prayer, or the simple reminder of His steady faithfulness in our daily lives. Psalm 111 is a hymn that captures this sense of awe. It begins: “The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them” (v. 2).

This psalm invites us not just to admire God from a distance, but to respond to Him with our whole lives.

The psalmist starts with wholehearted praise: “Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation” (v. 1). Worship is not meant to be half-hearted—it overflows from a heart that sees God’s hand in creation, redemption, and daily provision.

Then the psalmist turns our eyes to the beauty of God’s works: “His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever” (vv. 2–3). God’s works are not ordinary; they are filled with majesty. From the smallest detail in nature to the greatest acts of deliverance in history, everything He does reveals His wisdom and love.

We are also reminded of His faithfulness: “He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant” (v. 5). God never forgets His promises. He cared for Israel in the wilderness, led them into the Promised Land, and ultimately fulfilled His covenant in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer (v. 9). His faithfulness in the past is the foundation of our trust for today.

Finally, the psalm brings us to the heart of wisdom: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments” (v. 10). Awe of God must shape how we live. True wisdom is not simply knowing about Him, but walking in obedience to Him.

So how can I respond to God’s greatness?

Worship wholeheartedly—let your praise be genuine, both in private and with others.
Delight in His works—study Scripture, enjoy His creation, and recognize His hand in your life.
Remember His faithfulness—keep track of His answers to prayer and share testimonies with others.
Walk in obedience—live with integrity, love, and service that reflect reverence for Him.

When we live this way, we echo the psalmist’s closing words: “His praise endures forever.” No matter what season we are in, God’s works remain great, His promises remain sure, and His name remains holy.

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Father God, open my eyes to see Your greatness in all things. Fill my heart with awe, my mouth with praise, and my life with obedience. May I never cease to marvel at Your works and declare Your glory. In your name I pray, Jesus, amen.

August 18 2026