Psalm 148:3-4
“Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining star. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies”.
INSIGHT
-God’s Sovereignty is seen through His creation and His awesome wonder. As we explore this theme on praise and especially by all created things, it reminds us of God’s enduring power and might. The celestial sing out with praise and adoration to God the reason given in Psalm 148:5-6; that He is the great Creator and Sustainer of them all. Research in the field of bioacoustics has revealed that every day we are surrounded by millions of ultrasonic songs. In chemistry and atomic physics, the electron shell of the carbon atom produces the same harmonic scale as they orbit around the atom’s nucleus. Psalm 19:1 reveals that the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. All creation including the sun, moon and stars speak and bear witness of God’s mighty power to the glory of His name.
PRAYER
Lord You are Sovereign and full of power and might, all creation bows down before You. You created the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm and nothing is too hard for You. All the heavens proclaim Your mighty name. We celebrate all You have done Almighty Father, and sing Your praises on high. Nothing is too hard for You our Lord and God. May Your touch everyone who is sick by Your outstretched arm and heal our wounds we humbly ask You. May You rescue all those who are weak and suffering dear Master. Grant salvation unto all Your people loving Jesus. We celebrate Your love Jesus. May You bless the work of our hands and make us productive in every way dear Jesus. May You answer all our prayers and hearts desires merciful Savior for nothing is too hard for You. May You lead us and preserve us this entire week according to Your wisdom Holy Spirit. The heavens declare Your glory Oh Lord Almighty. Let everything that has breath praise You Oh Lord our God. We praise You and worship Your holy name Jesus, now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Psalm 19:1, Jeremiah 32:17
Isaiah 43:20
“The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,”
INSIGHT
-Apart from the celestials, birds also proclaim the name of the Lord from among the branches (Psalm 104:12). Jackals are dessert creatures that presumably praise the Lord during the day and owls at night by the sounds they produce. God provides streams of water for them and sustains them given the conditions that may seem harsh. Jesus implores us not to worry about life, what we will eat, drink or wear, for we are more valuable than the birds of the air, which do not sow or reap or store in barns (Matthew 6:26). God also promises to offer protection unto the jackals and owls in the strongholds as judgment befalls those who are perishing (Isaiah 34:13). God’s faithfulness is made available to His creation, and Job appeals that one should ask the beasts and they will teach us, the birds of the air and they will tell us, that God has done wonderful things and that His hand is life and breath for all mankind (Job 12:7-10). Like the owl and the jackal, God is faithful to provide and preserve us for we are His chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and His special possession, called from darkness to His enduring light.
PRAYER
We make a joyful shout to You God our Lord in all the earth. We sing out the honor of Your name. We make Your praise glorious from the bottom of our hearts. We love You Lord, thank You for loving us first. How awesome are Your works Jehovah. Through the greatness of Your power Jesus Your enemies submit themselves to You. All the earth worships You and sing praises to You. The jackals and owls sing praises to Your name. All animals and birds sing praises to You Oh Lord. You have done awesome works dear Jesus towards us and all Your creation. You turn dry land into seas and provide water in the wilderness, how faithful are You Almighty Father in all the earth. You turn our mourning into dancing, Your love endures forever. Open the floor gates of heaven and rain upon us. Turn our economy around dear Jesus and uplift us. Turn every wilderness situation in our lives dear Jesus and open all closed doors merciful Savior. We count our blessings and name them one by one. Thank You for providing for us, preserving us, protecting us, guiding us, redeeming us, and making us Your own special possession, how privileged are we loving Jesus. Thank You for loving us dear Jesus. Amen
Further reading: Isaiah 13:21, Psalms 66:1-7, 1 Peter 2:9
1 Chronicles 16:33-34
“Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before Jehovah; For he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.”
INSIGHT
-Praise is personified by way of the natural environment. The act of trees swinging is metaphorical to the clapping of hands, as mountains and hills burst forth in song (Isaiah 55:12). Rivers flowing downstream is also viewed as clapping their hands, as the mountains sing together for joy (Psalm 98:8). Jesus in Luke 19:40, reveals that the failure of man to praise Him may cause the stones to cry out. The seas also praise God (Psalm 69:34), sea creatures and ocean depths (Psalm 148:7). The trees in the main scripture sing with joy before Jehovah for He comes to judge the earth. Romans 8:19 discloses that creation eagerly awaits the revelation of sons of God, which is a form of judgement. They cause peace on the earth by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even though full manifestation will come at the end of time when the children of God will be transformed to be like Christ and we will see Him as He is (1 John 3:1-2). We have sure hope in Christ Jesus and His salvation power as we rest in Him.
PRAYER
Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord all the earth. Sing to the Lord and praise His name. Proclaim His salvation day after day. We declare Your glory among the nations Lord, and Your marvelous deeds among all peoples. Great are You Lord and most worthy of our praise. Only You are to be feared above all gods. All the gods of the nations are idols, but only You Lord our God made the heavens. Only You are worthy to be worshipped and praised. Only You are to be feared, teach our hearts to fear You merciful Savior. Train our hearts to love You and to seek Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Cause our mouths to praise to You and our spirits to worship You. Help us to put You first in all that we think and do. May You forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Establish Your love in our hearts dear Jesus. Teach us to give thanks to You always. We rejoice in You and tell of all Your benefits. We worship You Lord in the splendor of Your holiness. Only Your Jesus reign in all the heavens and the earth. Reign in our hearts and minds Holy Spirit. Reign in our homes and churches. Reign in our relationships and marriages. Reign in our work and businesses. Reign in our societies and nation dear Jesus. Only You reign, the world is firmly established and it cannot be moved. You will judge the peoples with equity our Righteous judge, let the heavens and the earth rejoice. Let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before You our Lord and God for You come to judge the earth. You will judge the world in righteousness and the people in faithfulness. Let all the heavens and the earth rejoice in Your salvation. All glory, honor, power and might belongs to You Lord, now and forever. Amen.
Further reading: Psalms 96
Revelation 5:11-12
“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
INSIGHT
-A great multitude of angels and saints, and the twenty four elders continually worship the Lord at His throne in heaven. Revelation 5:1 reveals that Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, who deserve to be praised and adored. This passage shows us that there is universal harmony in heaven, and that all world will unite in celebrating the Lord. There were a countless number of angels coming together to rejoice in the beauty of God’s kingdom. From everlasting to everlasting, God has been worshipped by inhabitants of heaven. Luke 2:13-14 reveals that after the birth of Jesus, a great company of heavenly hosts including the angels worshipped Him saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Angels also praise and glorify God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). The epitome and conclusion of Psalms says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalms 150:6). We unite with the hosts of heaven to praise and exult God for only He deserves all the honor.
PRAYER
Worthy are You Lamb of God who was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. You are holy Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. You are worthy Lord Jesus of all the praise and adoration. You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being. All creation bows down before You Lord our God. Let everything that has breath praise You Lord our God. May our prayers and sacrifices come to You as a pleasing sacrifice and a memorial offering. Hear our prayers dear Jesus and answer our hearts desires. May You remember all those who are sick in hospital and at home dear Jesus and heal them merciful Savior. Bless all those who live in the streets that You may open their doors dear Jesus. Be with all the prisoners and deliver them from their chains. Grant many divine opportunities for us and our families dear Master. May You answer all our prayers and hearts desires merciful Savior. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: Revelation 7:11, Revelation 4:8-11, Psalms 148:2
Psalms 117:1-2
“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.”
INSIGHT
-This is the shortest Psalm yet one of the grandest and longest by expression of praise. It not only focuses on the Israelites of whom David was part, but also the Gentile nations. All the nations acknowledge God for His faithfulness and love towards us, that endures forever. We celebrate the love of Christ and His redeeming power, through His death and resurrection on the cross. He has liberated us to become one people, partaking the same grace, blessings, promises, and privileges; in which His grace, mercy, and lovingkindness prevail over us and our generations.
SUMMARY
God’s majesty and splendor is evidenced through His creation in heaven and on earth. He is exalted over all and it is fundamental that all creation praise Him. His mighty works tell of His glorious splendor and majesty (Psalms 145:4-5). Praise in Hebrew is expressed as hallelujah where all creation unites to honor God. Through this weeks study, we have observed the entire creation praise Jehovah and in some aspects personification has been applied. The natural environment including trees and rivers clap their hands to praise God (Isaiah 55:12, Psalm 98:8). Birds of the air and animals, viewed through the owl and jackal; praise God for His goodness and love, evidenced by His wonderful works in providing streams of water (Isaiah 43:20). The celestial also praises God, throughout the galaxy. Psalm 148:3-4 says, “Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining star. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies”. A great multitude of angels and saints, including the twenty four elders praise God always (Revelation 5:11-12). We were created to praise and worship God our Creator and Redeemer.
PRAYER
This is the day that You have made Lord, we rejoice and are glad in it. Because of Your great love we are not consumed, for Your compassions never fail, they are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness Lord. We celebrate Your love and the opportunity to see this new month. We rejoice in Your faithfulness and love dear Jesus. Even when we become faithless You remain faithful dear master for You cannot deny Yourself. You are so faithful Lord. You keep the covenant of mercy with those who love You and keep Your commandments to a thousand generations, we praise You Lord our God. You are merciful and gracious Lord, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth, we praise You and glorify Your holy name. May You bless us and keep us dear God. May You make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 104:24-25, Lamentations 3:22-23, 2 Corinthians 1:20