Psalm 148 and the canticle of Daniel (which is an addition to the book of Daniel found in the Septuagint, also known as the Prayer of Azariah) are very similar in that they both command all of creation to praise or bless the Lord.
"Praise him, sun and moon; praise him all you shining stars!"
"Bless the Lord, sun and moon; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. Bless the Lord, stars of heaven; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever."
When I read through all these parts of creation that are commanded to praise and bless the Lord, I think and meditate on how most of creation doesn't need to be told to praise or bless the Lord - they praise and bless the God just by being what they were created to be. Sun and moon always have and always will bless the Lord. Stars of heaven always have and always will praise him and highly exalt him. It is when we get to humanity that the commands to praise and bless the Lord are not followed 100% of the time. Or, do I give humanity too much credit? This, of course, brings to mind Romans 9:16-23, where Paul reminds us that even the evil in the world is used to "make known the riches of his glory." Perhaps we, also, always have and always will praise and bless the Lord, whether we choose to do so as objects of wrath or objects of mercy.
Powerful. I cam to this blog looking at pictures of your house, but I find myself dwelling on this entry. Given free will, humans have the opportunity to praise the Lord in our daily activities, but its good to remember that even in our failings, God can use those things for good. Thanks David.
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