Coffee With The Lord

Picture a world… no, more than that… picture the entire universe radiating worship – resounding with the sounds of praise and worship! Go ahead, picture it – imagine it! Wouldn’t that be wonderful! … incredible! … awesome! That’s the picture that entered my mind when I read Psalm 148 this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” – one of the “Hallel Psalms.” Here is the Psalm to help you see it… Hear it… And imagine it!

”PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD from the heavens; PRAISE HIM in the heights! PRAISE HIM, all his angels; PRAISE HIM, all his hosts! PRAISE HIM, sun and moon, PRAISE HIM, all you shining stars! PRAISE HIM, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

I read another of the “Hallel Psalms” (Psalm 147) this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” … It’s theme? Singing to the Lord!

Here is what the song declares on that topic…

“Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting! [Then some of the reasons why…]

“The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. [Then back to the theme…]

“Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! [Then a few more reasons to sing to Him…]

“He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love!” (From Psalm 147:1-11 ESV)

The other day I as I was selecting some worship music and noticed a disclaimer in the iTunes Store about some of the music they were advertising… the disclaimer was “Explicit lyrics.” I grieved! What a perversion of a song – what a violation of what music ought to be!

Singing… music was intended for worshipful expression! I enjoy wholesome, beautiful music – it doesn’t just have to be sacred, religious music to be appropriate and uplifting! But it certainly must not be demeaning and degrading. Music was intended to be God-glorifying, as every other expression of the human spirit and soul was intended to be. Let me tell you, I intend to keep the music I enjoy and participate in that kind of music!

One more time… “Praise the Lord! It is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting!”

This morning I read one of the great “Hallel Psalms” – Psalm 146. The Hebrew word “Hallel” means “praise.” Add “Jah” at the end of the word and it’s “Hallelujah!” (“Praise the Lord!”) – nearly a universal expression of worship among Christians and Jews! Most scholars see Psalms 113-118 and 145-150 as “Hallel Psalms” – Psalm 136 is sometimes referred to as “the great Hallel” (and is believed to have been sung “antiphonally” [responsively] by two choirs in worship.

But back to Psalm 146. If I were to give it a title it would go something like this: “Praise the Lord Alone! – Put Your Trust in Him, Not Man!” Listen, human leaders will fail us. But the Lord is creator, sustainer, provider, protector, deliverer, public defender and ultimately King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Praise Him! Trust Him! Well that’s my personal summary of this great Psalm. But my summary pales in comparison to the words of the Psalm itself…