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Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven, praise him from the mountaintops; Praise him, all you his angels, praise him, all you his warriors, Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, you morning stars; Praise him, high heaven, praise him, heavenly rain clouds; Praise, oh let them praise the name of God - he spoke the word, and there they were! He set them in place from all time to eternity; He gave his orders, and that's it! Praise God from earth, you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps; Fire and hail, snow and ice, hurricanes obeying his orders; Mountains and all hills, apple orchards and cedar forests; Wild beasts and herds of cattle, snakes, and birds in flight; Earth's kings and all races, leaders and important people, Robust men and women in their prime, and yes, graybeards and little children. Let them praise the name of God - it's the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; he's built a monument - his very own people! Praise from all who love God! Israel's children, intimate friends of God. Hallelujah! (Psalm 148)
Imagine a person sitting down and just writing their praises to God. Such was the case with David. We don't know if he was already king and had that kind of time to write, or under a tree one day after watching his flocks as a boy; but he wrote this beautiful psalm His heart belonged to God and so did his mind. Someone taught him about God and it stuck and took hold of his life and his overall success as a man of God and as a king was because of his desire to please God. Yes, we know of his sins and it only emphasizes what we already know, the Bible is a book filled with imperfect people; the only one we know to be perfect and sinless is Jesus.
The first and last words in this version of the psalm are the same. Hallelujah! It means "God be praised!" and usually used in exclamation. So, the shouts of a king in a palace or a boy in the pasture brought attention to others about the faith David had in God. Do we bring attention to God in any part of our day? I have to confess my first thoughts on reading this psalm reminded me of the story my mother told of the three times his padrinos (My dad could not directly ask for my mother's hand in marriage; he had to select two respected men to do the asking. In his case it was his dad and Mr. Chapa from the grocery store. I thank God I only had to have one padrino go with me and that was Rev. Jose Galindo my intern pastor and mentor. Oh, and we got a yes on our first visit!) had to visit my grandfather before he okayed the marriage. His first objection was that my dad was not a Catholic, but an "Aleluya," a derogative name given to Protestants by Catholics in those days. Our worship services as overheard by Catholics was that they were spirited and people shouted out Aleluyas during singing and preaching. Where are those days now?
David says our praise of God should not be limited to any one place. In the skies, the mountaintops, any and all people and angels; Sun and moon are in on it too, sea dragons, the elements of nature, orchards and forests, wild beasts, cattle, snakes, and birds in flight, people of all ages! Praise the Lord!
PRAYER: Loving God, I pause to shout your praises now! You are worthy. You deserve it! I have been blessed as have those around me. I say it again, Praise You! I ask Your presence with Donna Hisey as she undergoes her surgery this morning. Guide and bless her surgeon and be with the loved ones awaiting news of the outcome. In all things be glorified dear Father, for we pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Shout when no one is looking, your praises to God!
Eradio Valverde
