“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
For I said, ‘Steadfast love will be built up forever;
in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness…’
Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all who are around him?
O Lord God of hosts,
who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
with your faithfulness all around you?..
The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
The north and the south, you have created them…
You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.
For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the Lord…
His …throne [shall endure] as long as the sun before me.
Like the moon it shall be established forever,
a faithful witness in the skies.” Psalm 89:1-2,5-8,11-12a,13-18a,36-37
It is impossible to gaze at the heavens without contemplating the infinite and eternal. We look up, and we are dwarfed. God created the skies to open the window of His dwelling place, to draw us into His sanctuary, to lure our thoughts upward, to elevate our souls to lofty and indescribable places that captivate our wonder and affection. The endless vault of blue above beckons sublime amazement and the soaring of the human heart. (Psalm 8:3-4)
The heavens cannot contain God, but they can praise Him. And this infinite God who owns the heaven of heavens and resides far above them has set His affection on us, and condescended to make His home among us. He is our sanctuary and delight. (Deuteronomy 10:14-15; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 108:4-5)
How else can we respond except to join nature in its praise? How can we not take time to soar above earthly busyness, to shrug off weighty cares, to exult in song? Partaking of the heavenly adds deep dimension to our human days and business. It affords keener insights, richer love, quickening compassion, godly wisdom, and appropriate responses to the world around us.
What will it take to turn ephemeral focus to eternal vision? Look up! How can we shrug off petty bothers and insignificant endeavors? Consider the skies! How do we guard against downward spiraling? Lift our eyes! What can transform flesh appetites into divine longing? Behold heaven! How can we dismiss heaviness and mourning? Praise heaven’s Keeper! (Psalm 94:19; 96:4-6; Isaiah 61:3)
Lord of the heavens, be always my praise, for You are my God, exalted above all. (Deuteronomy 10:21)
As the rain and snow 