Word of Encouragement #14 May 1, 2020

I have been sick the last few days and haven’t been up to doing much at all. Everything has been an effort. Existing has been an effort. Still, ​

I’m not as sick as I could be, and today is better than yesterday.  Since I don’t have much in me yet, I’m going to keep this short and instead give you words already written that fill me with joy and anticipation. This hymn based on Psalm 103 is one of my favorites. I hadn’t heard it in a while but it was sung on my church’s video this Sunday and it’s still ringing in my head. Just read through it. Read it aloud. It is stunningly beautiful in its simplicity of thought and soothing poetic rhythm. It brings back to us in awesome wonder the promise God made to us in the very beginning. Read, and remember that no matter what your personal trial is, He has promised to be there through it all, and when it’s done, to bring us home to Him for eternity.
 
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Words (based on Psalm 103) Joachim Neander 1680
 
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near; sing now in glad adoration!
 
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under. His wings, yea so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been granted in what He ordaineth?
 
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee,
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
Ponder anew what the Almighty will do, if with His love He befriend thee.
 
Praise to the Lord, who with marvelous wisdom hath made thee,
Decked thee with health, and with loving had guided and stayed thee.
How oft in grief hath not He brought thee relief, spreading His wings to o’er shade thee!
 
Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen sound from His people again; gladly fore’er we adore Him.