THE END (OR THE BEGINNING?)

When we come to the end of the book of Psalms, we find that we have our instructions for beginning the rest of our lives. The last song in this holy collection (Psalm 150) reminds us that, everything that breathes should use everything at their disposal to give praise and thanks to God.

Psalm 150 takes up the theme like this:

¹ Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
² Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

³ Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
⁴ Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
⁵ Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
⁶ Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

As we live our lives enjoying and glorifying God, how do we express our adoration? With trumpet, lute, and harp. If we have them, we can bang our tambourines and clang and clash our cymbals. We need to use what we have to give all that we can in thanks and praise to God.

What have you been given? Think about it. And what have you been given to be used as a instrument of praise? Use it in glorifying and enjoying God.

Prayer

Let me start each day of my life with an inventory of what I have for which to be thankful. And let me end my day in constant praise and thanks to you, the God in whom I trust. Amen.