A Psalm for Earth Day
Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
On Earth Day as we think about the creation around us, it is impossible to not be filled with awe and wonder. And that is exactly what this psalm does.
We start on the spiritual plain – the angels and the heavenly host (vs. 2) are invited into the praise of God. Then in vs. 3 – the sun, moon and stars – so while still distant is moving closer. Then in vs. 4, the waters (moisture/rain) in the clouds are invited to join the praise. So yet another step closer.
Then vs. 5 and 6 offer a pause – a reflection. The things that are beyond humanity’s power to control. Human beings didn’t make the eclipse happen (sun and moon). We can’t make it rain or stop raining. These things which are beyond human management, are not beyond God’s power. God created them, and God directs them. That they are obedient to God, is a sign of their praise of God.
Then in vs. 7-10 – things here on earth join the chorus of praise – sea monsters, the ocean depths, fire and ice, stormy wind. Then the mountains, hills, the trees, the four-legged animals, the birds, everything that creeps – they are part of the chorus of praise.
And then human beings join the celebration of praise. All kings and all nations (all peoples (vs. 11) is a reference to the people groups of the earth). People of all ages and stages, people of all genders – join the chorus of praise.
The Psalm has followed roughly the order of creation described in Genesis 1 as it adds to the list of created things who are praising God.
On Earth Day, praise to God who created the wonder and beauty of the cosmos, of the earth, from the majestic stars and mountains to the intricate beauty of the amoebae and the delicate flowers – yes, this God, this creator is worthy of our praise on Earth Day and every day.
PRAYER:
We rejoice, O Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, that you have made all things. And with all of creation we bring our joy and celebration. We praise you for the beauty and wonder of the creation. Teach us to be good and wise stewards of the creation that you have made. In Jesus’ name. Amen.