Praise the Lord, O my soul!
While I live I will praise the Lord. Psalm 146:1

I just came back from an evening walk. It is a beautiful Sunday evening with the warmth of summer lingering on even as the days are getting shorter. Dusk comes much earlier and already at this hour darkness blankets the trees. It is a good evening for praise.

Our pastor gave a rousing message today on praising God as our worship. In his (Pastor’s) animated way, he challenged us to “Hallelujah” just as it is described and meant in the Bible , that is with total abandonment to the Lord and with the exuberance of a David. And charismatic believers! Admittedly, this is very difficult for me. By nature, I’m reserved and prone to introspection. Literally “Shouting to the Lord” is pretty far out of my comfort zone , but then again, since when is worshiping the universe’s Creator, the King of Kings and Lord of Hosts, the Alpha and Omega of all things, supposed to be cozy? I would like to get out of my comfy, super –stuffed- recliner-worship chair and throw all praise and worship inhibitions to the wind. I might even imagine myself dancing a little – (at least safely around my usual church seat). However, alas, it would not be me, but me imitating someone else.

But, I can bring to the Lord those gifts which He has blessed me with. And so with the inspiration of the Psalms, I offer this, my Sunday evening praise to God:

Praise the LORD! Praise Him in the highest. Praise God above all else in heaven or on earth. Praise Him who is above all princes and kings. Greater are you, Lord, than all together those who ever rose to the heights of power. Praise Him with crashing cymbals and with silent beating of your heart. Give praise to the Lord with songs for He is good and He is merciful forever. Praise God’s indescribable majesty and wondrous works. Praise the Lord of righteousness. Praise the Prince of Peace. Give praise to Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Counselor.

You are enthroned in beauty and wonder. How can I worship You enough? You are and were and always will be. The fear of You, Lord God, brings wisdom and humility. How vast and indescribable is Your love poured out on us in Your Son, Jesus. Your Spirit is the breath of my life. Your Word is my soul’s delight. You are more than my mind can fathom to even praise you enough.

Thank you for the gift of worshiping You, Oh God! How lovely it is to spend time with You in praise. Your praise is a joy to my soul. Let the stirrings of my heart and the words of my mouth be an evening song to You and bless Your Heart. I honor You, Father, and love You more than life. Thank you for all Your benefits to me. Thank you that You are full of compassion and great in mercy. Thank you for every blessing, for every mountain height and shadowed valley You have walked through with me. Great is Your faithfulness, Oh Lord. Great is Your Name. I will bless the Name of the Lord tonight and tomorrow morning and always. Hallelu-jah!