Eastertide
March 30, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
   praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
   praise him according to his surpassing greatness!  

Praise him with trumpet sound;
   praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
   praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
   praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord! Is a phrase uttered in many different circumstances. Read from Psalm 150 it is associated with absolute joy. My church has a tradition of singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus at the close of worship on Easter Sunday. It is a robust making of joyful noise to the Lord.

I have heard Praise the Lord! uttered from people discovering that everyone in their household survived a tornado that destroyed their homes, their vehicles, and for some their tools of work. Actually, I have heard it shouted with arms raised when a family pet has been to discovered alive after such a storm.

The birth of a child is a source of great praise to God as is successful surgery or other sources of healing. And I have heard it said in grateful appreciation of their service and love when one of the saints of the church returns to his or her maker.

We praise the Lord not as a special occasion but as a response to God’s abiding presence in every breath we take for it is one way we can thank God for the wonder of his abiding love.

Prayer: Praise the Lord!

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.