Christmas 1
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty in his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithless and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
Alternate Image
The Singer of Songs gathers with a group of singers. She considers, it is good when I journey into private places of solitude, but how much better it is when I join with friends. One note, one voice, one melody is good; but oh so much better when there is a multitude of notes, voices and melody variations. It is at those special times when great harmony and full orchestration bring forth glorious praise of God. We, with all our differences, colors, shapes and sizes give witness to God's multifaceted creativity. Here, together we best understand God's power and might and united we stand in awe of God. Our sharing strengthens our insights and gives rise to others. Together we can become wise.
Reflection
God has created us for community. Brilliant personal insights are only fleetingly seen and enjoyed; but shared in the company of like-minded folk they take on depth and become mutual learnings about our God. When we join together with folk who share our common faith, we become wiser than we ever can by ourselves. We are church. We are Christ's body. We are the Lord's. We will always be together for the one who unites us is eternal. Together we offer God our best praise.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty in his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithless and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
Alternate Image
The Singer of Songs gathers with a group of singers. She considers, it is good when I journey into private places of solitude, but how much better it is when I join with friends. One note, one voice, one melody is good; but oh so much better when there is a multitude of notes, voices and melody variations. It is at those special times when great harmony and full orchestration bring forth glorious praise of God. We, with all our differences, colors, shapes and sizes give witness to God's multifaceted creativity. Here, together we best understand God's power and might and united we stand in awe of God. Our sharing strengthens our insights and gives rise to others. Together we can become wise.
Reflection
God has created us for community. Brilliant personal insights are only fleetingly seen and enjoyed; but shared in the company of like-minded folk they take on depth and become mutual learnings about our God. When we join together with folk who share our common faith, we become wiser than we ever can by ourselves. We are church. We are Christ's body. We are the Lord's. We will always be together for the one who unites us is eternal. Together we offer God our best praise.
