Sing Your Praise

A Reflection on the Psalm for February 6th, 2022:
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Psalm 138

R. Before the Angels I sing your praise, O Lord.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the Angels I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness. 

R. Before the Angels I sing your praise, O Lord.

For you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. 

R. Before the Angels I sing your praise, O Lord.

All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. 

R. Before the Angels I sing your praise, O Lord.

You stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. 

R. Before the Angels I sing your praise, O Lord.

I love to sing. I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t singing in some choir or folk group. One of my earliest memories is when I was 4 years old, learning how to read because that was the prerequisite for joining my church choir. I wake up most mornings with a song already playing in my head, and it’s almost always a song of praise to God. 
 


The past few years have been challenging. There have been many moments of uncertainty, fear and anger. The amount of times we’ve had to pivot our daily routines, work schedules, ministry plans and family life has been exhausting. The flow charts of our lives look very much like the flow chart of this pandemic, ever changing hills and valleys. How are we coping?
 


In the times when there’s the most turmoil I find myself gravitating towards my guitar and singing praise to God: “You are good to me, good to me,” “I love You, Lord my strength,” “You are the voice of the living God calling us now to live in Your love.” Songs of rejoicing, songs of lament, songs of love for our ever-present God – this is how I ride the waves of uncertainty, by joining with the angels to sing God’s praise.
 


Praising God by lifting our voices to Him in song gives God permission to work in our lives. It opens our hearts to His love and mercy and connects us with the communion of saints who are endlessly singing His praise (Revelation 7:9-12).
 


Wherever you are, on a hill or in a valley, lift your voice to Him today. Sing praise for God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Call to Him with songs of praise for, as the psalmist proclaims, “On the day I called You answered me, You increase my strength of soul.”




Maxine Brown
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