Let the Heavens Praise!

“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… and awesome above all?
O Lord God of hosts,
    who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
    with your faithfulness all around you?
You rule the raging of the sea;
    when its waves rise, you still them…
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;
    Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
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.”

“The Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” Psalm 89:1-2,5-9,11-15; 96:5b-6

The expanse of sky is an eternal blue, smudged and tufted with scattered and gathered clouds, beckoning the wondering soul. Low heavy mounds drop grey rain in angled sheets, high wisps feather like angels above. Endless is the changing splendor, moment by moment the awe. As a home reflects the personality of its owner, so this sanctuary of sky reflects the Creator’s glory.

God’s love is seen in the skies as we gaze and wonder who we are and why He’d care for small us, considering His great, majestic power that traced this intricate handiwork of fluffed clouds, sparkling stars, and shining lights. Yet, He has crowned us with glory and honor. God’s faithfulness is indeed on display in the heavens, turning and sustaining His rhythm of day and night, season upon season. God’s magnitude and authority is exhibited in this canopy of creation, ordering storms and tides, north and south, gravity that holds the atmosphere together. (Genesis 8:22; Psalm 8:3-5; Colossians 1:16-17)

How naturally, how often, do we join nature in praising this One who abides with us and rules over all, whom we adore?

“God, all nature sings Thy glory, and Thy works proclaim Thy might;
Ordered vastness in the heavens, ordered course of day and night;
Beauty in the changing seasons, beauty in the storming sea;
All the changing moods of nature praise the changeless Trinity.

“Clearer still we see Thy hand in man whom Thou hast made for Thee;
Ruler of creation’s glory, image of Thy majesty.
Music, art, the fruitful garden, all the labor of his days,
Are the calling of his Maker to the harvest feast of praise.

“God of glory, power, mercy, all creation praises Thee;
We, Thy creatures, would adore Thee now and through eternity.
Saved to magnify Thy goodness, grant us strength to do Thy will;
With our acts as with our voices Thy commandments to fulfill.” ~David Clowney (1960)

Lord, keep me praising You day upon day, night after night, making known Your great faithfulness to generations. (Psalm 72:5)