David Bahn – Reflections

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

7 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your portion for an inheritance.”

Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
17 they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless the Lord!
O house of Aaron, bless the Lord!
20 O house of Levi, bless the Lord!
You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
he who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise the Lord!

These psalms – two among many throughout the psalter, and among the five psalms I read this morning as I prepared for worship – speak to the righteous, the people of God. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are mentioned in Psalm 105, and Psalm 135 ends with a call to the house of Israel, Aaron, and Levi, then those “who fear the Lord.” The call: Bless the Lord!

We don’t add any glory to God by praising him and blessing his name. We simply express the reality of the glory of our God. In these days where we see worship attendance declining an many churches – healthy and struggling alike – this is a reminder to God’s people: worship is befitting for God’s people. There is no excuse appropriate to neglecting worship. Martin Luther says in explaining the Third Commandment, that we should not neglect preaching and God’s word, “but hold it sacred and gladly hear it and learn it.”

One of the reasons for the decline in attendance is that people are worshiping fewer times per month. The reason for that is that with affluence comes mobility. We don’t have to stay home anymore; we can go whenever we want – and especially on the weekends.

Wherever you are today, find a place of worship. Make it a point to gather with other believers in worship and praise of God. Sing praises to him and bless his name.