Psalm 139, Psalm 145, Psalm 148, Psalm 150
Ryan: What beautiful music we read in our daily Bible reading today! Between the hymn that Samantha is writing about (below), the instrumental praise band in Psalm 150, and the countless contemporary Christian songs that use Psalm 139 as source material, we have enough music to bring glory to God for quite a while! In these four chapters, we read the word “praise” 33 times. All of our music should bring glory to our Father, no matter if it’s sung, played on instruments, or just thought in our heads. God loves to hear our songs, provided that we really are praising Him through them. It does not matter if you’re singing a cappella if you are singing for your own glory. In the same way, it does not matter if you’re playing a Bach hymn on the piano if in your heart you are bringing glory to the One who created you. As we’ve learned time and time again, it’s what is in our hearts that matters most to God, not rituals, laws, and sacrifices.
Samantha: As we read Psalm 148 I kept noticing phrases that reminded me of a song, but I couldn’t quite place it. Some of the phrases that stuck out were “all ye fruitful trees and cedars,” praise his name “young men and maidens, aged men and children small.” Figured it out yet? “Hallelujah Praise Jehovah“! There are a few translation differences, but this song follows Psalm 148 almost verbatim. I love, love, love this song not just because I enjoy the old-style harmony, but because the words call on everything to praise God: angels, sun and moon and stars, the heavens and seas, weather, mountains, animals, birds, kings, princes, aged men and children small. Look around at everything the Lord has created–it has all been created to give him praise! Every part of creation speaks (sings!) to his majesty and glory. “Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted” (Psalm 148:13).
Tags: Discipleship, God
