CAN HE HEAR YOUR PRAISE! –

It is amazing how many Psalms King David wrote while dealing with frustration, anger, pain, discomfort, and rejection by his friends and family. But some of the most poignant and touching are those he penned while dealing with sickness, especially after being disciplined by God for rebellion, when he ordered an illegal census. He learned that he must put God first in everything he did. So he wanted to acknowledge his place in God’s dominion, and that all believers must come to a place of surrender and obedience to God in order to benefit from His blessings, provisions, and protection, because God does not reward disobedience.

“I muster all the strength I have to heap praise on my LORD Eternal, and worship His holy name. Yes, let me bestow praise on the LORD Eternal with my whole heart, and never forget His marvelous grace. For He forgives our sins; He heals our bodies; He won the victory over the grave; and He grants us His undying love and compassion. He meets our every need at the right time, so we remain as strong as an eagle. Yes, our LORD Eternal always does what’s right, and stands up for those who have been taken advantage of. He revealed all this a long time ago to Moses and it became the practice of all His children. That’s because the LORD Eternal is compassionate and full of grace; He is slow to anger, but quick to pour out His undying love. He doesn’t argue over whether we are right or wrong, nor does He stay mad at us. He hasn’t treated us the way we should be treated after all the sins we’ve committed; nor has He given us what we deserve because of our sinful ways. Rather, as high as the sky rises above the earth so immense is His undying love to those who look to Him in faith; and as far as the east is from the west, that’s how far has He separated us from punishment for our rebellious sins. If a father can have compassion on his children, how much more will the LORD Eternal feel compassion for those who revere Him. After all, He knows what we are made of and where we came from. Our lifespan is like a flower in the meadow that grows and blossoms. Then the wind blows and before long it withers and dies and no one can remember where it was planted. But the steadfast love of the LORD Eternal never ceases for those who revere Him, which He passes on to their grandchildren as along as they abide by His teachings and remember to live by His principles. Our LORD Eternal’s throne is established in heaven, that’s why His realm covers the whole world. So let His angels, those mighty beings who do what He commands and obey each word He speaks, bestow praise on Him. Let those millions of servants who carry out His will bestow praise on the LORD Eternal. And let all of His handiwork in every corner of His realm bestow praise on the LORD Eternal. Yes, bestow praise on the LORD Eternal O my soul!” Psalm 103:1-22

Reflection: Shortly after the British Royal Family returned from a trip to South Africa in the summer of 1947, Princess Elizabeth announced her engagement to Philip Mount Batten, Prince of Greece and Denmark. They scheduled their wedding for that coming November, and immediately began making plans. The wedding planners chose a song written by Henry Francis Lyte of Ireland, which he based on Psalm 103. The lyrics addressed the occasion well, since this young princess stood in line to become queen six years later. The song goes: “Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven; to His feet thy tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore His praises sing; Alleluja! Alleluja! Praise the everlasting King!” Lyte’s hymn reminded everyone, no matter how many kings, or queens, or emperors, or potentates rise to power on earth, only One sits in heaven supreme over all. He deserves all the allegiance and honor earthly rulers owe Him. How much more then do we need to praise Him for who and what and why He is the King of Glory! Like Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day, let us never be ashamed to use the Word as a source of encouragement, guidance, and strength. And don’t forget, as believers we have a wedding day coming when the Groom from Heaven will marry His bride, the church.