Tag: worship

Let the name of the LORD
be blessed
both now and forever.
. . . Who is like the LORD our God . . . ?

God is unique. There’s no one, nothing like Him.

He is exalted.

He is enthroned on high!

We worship Him because He is above and beyond everything, everyone else we know. And He rules!

Praise Him!

Bless His name!

Let His reputation be known, praised, adored far and wide!

Why?

Because He uses His unique, complete power and authority to raise up the most vulnerable and needy. He doesn’t ignore or forget them. Squash them. Rise up on them.

No.

He raises them up and seats them with the nobles, giving children to the childless.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

He is our God!

Who is like Him?

No one!

After many attempts, this became the choice for illustration of this verse. I have always enjoyed watching moms at the beach, having fun with their children. Seems like the most joyous they could be! (Some other iterations of this idea in the next few days.)

Let whoever is wise pay attention
to these things
and consider the LORD’s acts
of faithful love.

This Psalm begins the 5th book of Psalms. It calls us to remembrance and thanksgiving – and it advises me to pay attention.

If I am wise I will note that the Lord is always at work, through His enduring faithful love.

• He redeems those who are scattered to far places.
• He rescues those who wander, and He feeds them in their hunger.
• He rescues – saves out of prison those who are in chains.
• He saves even fools from their self-caused distress, because of His faithful love.
• He stills the storm-tossed lives on those of the seas of life, rescuing and bringing them to safe harbor.
• He both judges and restores those who wander.
• He lifts the needy out of suffering.

Lord, allow me eyes to see, a mind to remember, wisdom to understand, and a voice to praise!

Another morning sky – so beautiful – I have dozens of reference photos; maybe someday I’ll learn to paint this type of sky.

Give thanks to the LORD, call on
his name;
proclaim his deeds among the peoples.

This Psalm begins with this call to thanksgiving. Thanksgiving that is founded on remembrance of the Lord’s deeds – His actions to create, protect, provide for, redeem, and establish Israel. From Abraham to the Promised Land, people remember God’s faithfulness, and they are thankful.

I, too, must remember God’s faithfulness to me and recall it before all. Lord, you have provided for me all through my life. You give me above and beyond what I have needed. You have protected me, and given me purpose and opportunity to love and worship you, to proclaim you.

And so I shall:

Praise the Lord!

Come into His presence with thanksgiving.

Recall all His faithful deeds for us.

He is The Lord – Master of all.

Master of me.

This is an example of reference images I was looking through to find the illustration for Psalm 108 (upcoming). I took this photo from the balcony of a cruise ship – I love the color of the sky, the haze on the Isle, the glow of the rising sun, and the reflection across the water. Tomorrow I’ll show an attempt to illustrate this – though this photo is much better.

How countless are your works, LORD!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

The Psalmist continues his praise of Creator God.

And I join him.

The earth is populated with the most amazing life – from the forrest animals, to the young lions, to the seas, teaming with life.

And, amidst it all, mankind. Living, working, sleeping – while the creation enjoys the pleasures of the Creator.

Lord, with the Psalmist, I praise you.

You are indeed powerful, creative, caring; full of joy and purpose. And you have made a world that reflects your beauty, generosity, your glory forever.

Lord, I praise you.

I thank you.

We sing to you in recognition of your glory in creation.

Bless the Lord.

Hallelujah!

Our illustration this week comes from Psalm 108 – and I took several runs at it. I started here, trying to capture the morning sky: pinks, blues, etc. . . over a forest of trees. I abandoned this one – there is little to like about it, although I’m still trying to get that beautiful morning sky. . .

I will sing of faithful love and justice;
I will sing praise to you, LORD.
I will pay attention to the way
of integrity.

This vow of David honors God, first with worship.

• God is faithful love
• He is justice

As such, He is worthy of all worship, and we come to Him, singing praise to Him.

Lord, you are full of love and justice. I join David in my worship, praising you!

David also vows to “pay attention to the way of integrity.”

To live with integrity is a purposeful choice. To live without mixture of deceit, but purely before God.

Not only a choice, also a choice that requires attention and effort.

So easy to let slip in the scent of sin that spoils integrity.

Pay attention! Do the work to maintain a life of integrity – for the praise of the Lord!

Closer!

Exalt the LORD our God;
bow in worship at his holy mountain,
for the LORD our God is holy.

The psalmist repeats, “He is Holy,” to describe the Lord our God. It catches my attention, as it is meant to do, because it is repeated.

He is holy:

• Unique
• Alone in His righteousness
• Great
• Awe- inspiring
• Fair – establishing fairness
• Just – administering justice
• Righteous – the author and executor of righteousness
• Forgiving
• Avenging

Our Lord God is holy!

Worship Him! He is worthy.

Sing a new song to the LORD,
for he has performed wonders;
his right hand and holy arm
have won him victory!

This Psalm echoes in my mind often. Dear friends from high school, Steve and Jeannie, wrote, sang, and recorded this as a new song to celebrate the victory of the Lord.

King Jesus has indeed won the victory.

All of creation celebrates because of His might and strength.

From the seas to the mountains, all of nature resounds with the noise of His victory, His life, His coming judgment.

He comes to judge – and for His people, this is a reason for joyous celebration.

He will judge with righteousness and fairness.

Sing a new song!

Praise to Him!

This little guy is part of the illustration for Psalm 102 – to be featured later this week. Actually, this is my first attempt at the “bird on the roof.” I did a second one – we’ll compare! More about why 2 birds later in the week . . .

The heavens proclaim
his righteousness;
All the peoples see his glory.

God’s glory is obvious and on constant display:

throughout creation,

to all peoples,

all nations,

all the time.

Just take a glimpse at the night sky . . .

The stars, moon, planets – they declare the glory of God. His creativity, power, and presence.

The bright day of sun – the vast expanse of glorious day declares the faithful care of our loving God.

Even in storm or darkened moments: his power and presence are known by the immense expanse.

He is glorified in all of this. And His glory may be viewed and known by all who seek Him.

Be glad in the Lord.

Give thanks to His holy name!

Come, let’s worship and bow down;
let’s kneel before the LORD our maker.
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
the sheep under his care.

I worship God – from a place of humility, reminding myself, even in my posture, of my humble existence before the Lord almighty.

My worship is joyfully loud!

A shout out to God who is my strong, rock-like salvation.

Thank you, Lord.

All praise and thanks to you for who you are, what you do, how you provide. You are the Great and Only God.

We worship you – you are worthy – of all I can muster.

Strength, joy, humility – take all this from me, Lord. It’s yours. You are worthy of it.

Lord – I am yours to care for. I want to be yours.

In your pasture.

Your sheep.

You are Great God!