Praise

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

 Psalm 148:1-4

I don’t know about you, but I have no idea, really, what it means to praise God. I think I used to, all those years back when I was part of the Catholic charismatic renewal in its earlier days. Praise, adoration, worship, glory, these outpourings toward God came naturally and joyously. But now, with that long behind me, I wonder: What does it mean to praise God?

It must have something to do with the wild joy of being in relationship with God. The wild joy of being loved and cherished by God. The Psalms – that is the fullest expression of praise that I know of. I read the words, I cherish them, I want to feel them. I want to live in the place of joyous abandon with God. I want for my life to reflect praise for God and joy in God’s creation.