READ: MATTHEW 21:12-16; REVELATION 4:8-11; 5:8-14

God is ever being praised—

His land, His sea, His sky, His waves!

All creation His glory sings—

Every creature extols Him King!

Angels hallelujahs raise—

O Holy One, the Ancient of Days!

Mighty and just in all His ways,

Forever shall His name be praised!

Come join the everlasting song—

All voices blended, raised as one!

From mouths of babes ‘tis thus ordained—

God is ever being praised.

Today’s poem celebrates the truth that eternal praise is echoing throughout the universe to God—our Maker, Savior, King, and Friend. When we read Scriptures like Matthew 21:16 and Revelation 4:8, we might be a bit surprised to find that God seems to delight as much in the praises of children and infants as He does in the praises of great winged, heavenly creatures covered with eyes! I find this truth both intriguing and somehow deeply comforting. Perhaps it’s because it seems to indicate that God—who made everything so wondrously unique—actually delights in all things uniquely. What do I mean? Simply that God, unlike us, does not compare everyone and everything to other created beings and things. Think about it! Isn’t that a marvelous relief? Whatever praise we offer to God, He simply delights in— without comparisons! My response to that? Hallelujah! • G. Kam Congleton

• Throughout Scripture, we find that God wants all of creation—including us—to respond to His goodness by praising Him. Have you ever thought about your praises joining with the praises of mountains, oceans, stars, and angels? How does this make you feel?

• It’s easy to compare ourselves to others, whether we’re singing in church, writing in a journal, creating a work of art, or praising God some other way. How could it be freeing to know that God delights in our praises, and He doesn’t compare us to anyone else? (Romans 2:11)

• Praising God can include thanking Him, but mostly it’s recognizing who He is and what He’s like—how good, how loving, how strong, how infinite…He truly is. Most of all, we praise God for saving us through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Consider taking some time now to praise Him!

Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. Psalm 113:2 (NIV)