August 20, 2015

It’s All About God

Psalm 103

Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

—  Psalm 103:22

Did you notice how many times the word “all” occurs in this psalm? Perhaps the psalmist wants to remind us that God, who rules over all and does all good things for all people, is to be praised in all places and by all heavenly beings and all creatures and created things with all of their being!

This psalm has 22 lines—the same number of letters as in the Hebrew alphabet, the language this psalm was first written in. That suggests that the psalmist is saying all there is to be said about God.

What is this psalm about? It’s all about God.

God forgives sin, heals diseases, redeems our lives, crowns us with love and mercy, satisfies us with good things—every part of our lives. Our bodies, hearts, minds, and souls are the objects of God’s actions—every part of us.

And what is our purpose? What are we all about? We are ­created to praise God.

Praise brings us in tune with God. It tears down the strong walls of our “self” and opens us up to closer fellowship with God. Praise lifts up our hopes and gives them substance when we remember the things God has done for us.

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name”!

Lord God, we praise you with all of your creation for all you have done. Most of all, we praise you for sending Jesus to save all your creation from sin and death. In his name we pray. Amen.

About the author — Thea Leunk

Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.

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