Majesty

Praise him, kings and all peoples,
princes and all other rulers;
young women and young men,
old people and children too.
Let them all praise the name of the LORD!
His name is greater than all others;
his glory is above earth and heaven. (verses 11-13)

Read Psalm 148

The other morning I watched the sun rising through the clouds and trees. It was a scene of great beauty. At night I can go outside and admire the brilliant heavens, full of throbbing lights. I visit the seaside and am overwhelmed by the limitlessness of the ocean and the teeming life beneath its surface. I stand on my verandah and observe the fierce storm shaking the trees and lighting up the sky. As I travel I love the changing landscapes – crops, trees, mountains, rivers – and the animals and birds that populate them. Everywhere I am surrounded by majesty.

I marvel that all this was made for me. God made the world and he put us people in charge. We are free to enjoy and admire this wonderful creation. In it we see God’s providence and love. We are moved to wonder. All of us, old and young, men and women, spontaneously react with praise and happiness at the majesty and magnanimity of our magnificent God!

Lord, thank you for this wonderful world. Help me always to see you as the centrepiece of this majestic creation. Amen.

By Richard Hauser, in “God’s Peace for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (2005)

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