Reclaim a Heart of Lavish Praise For God - Serenity in Suffering

Yet before sunrise, my arrival at work brings a sweet delight as the days inch closer to the Spring Equinox. The joyous songs of busy robins invite me to reclaim a heart of lavish praise for God. The once silent, still winter mornings give way to the herald of spring as all creation shakes off winter’s slumber.

Enjoying the gay robins jaunty tunes sent me in search of my favorite Psalm of praise, Psalm 145. Penned by David, the words of glorious praise compose a Hebrew acrostic. Each line of the psalm begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in sequence, which of course we miss when reading the psalm in English.

Upon the conclusion of my morning praise time praying Psalm 145 to the Lord, the idea struck me to compose my own psalm of praise as an acrostic beginning with each of the twenty-six letters of the English alphabet.

The following is the text of Psalm 145 from the NIV version of the Bible, and afterwards, my own attempt to reclaim a heart of lavish praise for God .

field of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths

david’s heart of lavish praise for god

psalm 145

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

my heart of praise for god

Spending time in my garden, embracing the hidden hope of spring, moved my heart to praise for the ways of my Creator. Watching the enthusiasm with which the robins welcomed spring, impressed me to slow down and consider the many blessings adorning my life.

Each season reveals the Creator to us in specific ways, but all intrinsic to God: his attributes, ways, and being remain the same.

The change of season seemed an especially ripe moment for renewing my praise for His wonderful works and ways.

a hymn of praise

Abundant goodness overflows your hands as the golden sunbeams cover the earth at dawn. My heart cannot hold all you intend for me.

Blessed be your great and marvelous name in all the earth. For at Your name evil flees, and the earth quakes with Your power.

Compassion fills your eyes for broken sinners, for those in bondage to darkness. The depth of your love moving you to come, rescue, redeem, restore.

Delivering all those who call upon you, who from the shadow of death cry out in hope. None will you deny, none will you send away.

Eternal One, knowing the end from the beginning, you rewrite my story, beyond my limited sight. A love enduring my punishment; you claim me as yours.

Forgiving, you cleanse my sin, gifting me your righteousness, justifying me as your own. Abiding faithful though I fail, your arms receive me once again.

Glorious Grace, lavished upon your beloved, a precious anointing oil for all who seek you in sincerity. Though undeserved, your grace gift transforms the wayward soul.

Healer of sin sickness, broken lives, and painful diseases; you shroud me with your comfort. Providing for every need of emotion, spirit and body.

Infinite as the stars populating the heavens, are your benefits to your children. Ways immutable, past understanding, encompass all your wonderful works.

Joyful in your thoughts toward me; your delight washes over my countenance like the waves of the sea. Your song in the night calms my fears.

King forever you reign, a kingdom established forever in the heavens, your Throne over all. King of kings, none surpasses your glory.

Lovingkindness forever crowns your people with your abundant tender mercies and goodness each day. Kindled in the sunrise and whisper soft in the sunset.

Majestic in beauty, you reign unrivaled; robed with all creation, you display your extraordinary holiness. Your greatness is known in all the earth.

Nigh all them who call upon your name, your word speaks calm to inner storms and enlightens the eyes of the foolish. Your kindness upholds the weak.

Omnipotent, you hold all things together; nothing exists apart from you. Making a way through every hard path, Nothing proves impossible for you!

Patient, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy; your faithful love abounds to your children. In gentle perseverance calling me back to you.

Quickening the desert places of my heart and soul; your unfailing love permeates my being. Filling empty spaces with your spirit, satisfying my desires.

Righteous and upright are you Lord, just in all your ways. Pure justice springs from your hand over all.

Sovereignty governs all my days, enveloped in your perfect wisdom refining me into your glorious image. I rest in your good plan for me, etched in love.

Triumphant over the Evil One, none stand before you. Every evil plan and device are defeated at the voice of your Word.

Unfathomable mercy pours forth from the depths of your love toward all those who fear you. Who seek your way in truth.

Voice of my Shepherd, my heart hears your singular call, your one, true voice guiding me. Whispers of comfort for your own, thunder of judgment for the scorner.

Worthy of all my praise, victorious over death, sin, and the devil; the only true Light. I worship your great and powerful name.

Excellent, Most High God, perfect in all your ways, all your purpose is accomplished. In all the earth creation testifies of your magnificence.

Yahweh, Eternal, covenant keeping God, existing outside of time and space; all glory, honor and praise be unto you.

Zealous for you, oh my God, I treasure your Word and esteem your Way with my whole heart. Keep me as a banner upon your heart that I may never wander.