Praise the Lord
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... —148:11,12
"We
(old folks) seem to have got left out of the old lists,” Tolkien’s Merry
lamented. Yet the psalmist includes us: ”Let old men...praise the name of the
Lord!" (148;12).
Sun, moon,
stars, clouds, sea creatures, fire, hail, snow, mist, mountains, hills, fruit
trees, cedar trees, wild animals, livestock, creeping things and flying birds,
all creatures great and small—give a shout-out to God each morning because He
sang them into existence (148:1-10).
We praise
God for our existence as well, but more so for His redemptive love: He raised
up a “horn”—a powerful deliverer—for us and brought us near (148:11-14). “Near
so very near to God; nearer I could not be. For in the person of His Son, I am
as near as He.” The love with which God loves His Son—such is his love for you
and me.
Despite
arthritic joints, aching backs and other discomforts, we can join with all
creation and awaken each day with exuberant praise! ”God forbid
that when all Thy creatures are greeting the morning with songs and shouts of
joy, I alone should wear a dull and sullen face" (Olde John Baillie).
David
Roper
