May 10, 2020 -- Psalm 119:164 -- Seven Times a Day Praise

Before I write and send this devotional today, please note that three of my previous devotions were offensive to brothers and sisters in Christ who hold different views. I was making my point, but I went beyond this and made assumptions about the motives of others rather than attributing to them a shared, holy zeal for the LORD. In the same forum where I published such things I make an apology and humbly ask their forgiveness. I have removed two of these posts and radically re-written the post that remains so that ad hominen attacks are removed.

I still hold the same view that our churches should be open in accordance with whatever regulations are in place set by civil magistrates, but I recognize there are colleagues in ministry who hold the opposite view. As at a recent Presbytery meeting they extended kindness to me and my very different view though I am in the tiniest minority, so I long to show courtesy and kindness even as I offer my point of view for consideration.

Thanks. Shalom. Richard

Seven times a day I praise you

for your righteous rules.

Psalm 119:164 English Standard Version

Do you have a soundtrack running through your brain? Yesterday I was talking with a good friend, he and I both noted we always have some music playing in our brains. Recently we’d both heard Aretha Franklin’s version of Nessun Dorma (performed live in 1998 at the Grammy’s). My friend noted I’d be humming it or quoting it at the oddest times. Since that conversation I’ve been asking him (at the most random times): “what’s the track that’s playing now?” And he always answers. Sometimes it is an obscure folk dance tune, or something he recalled from his teenage years (that would take him more than a decade back in time).

This afternoon I had the wonderful privilege of attending church! New Brunswick is allowing religious services with up to 10 in attendance. Pastor Michael is holding five worship services today, and up to nine people are attending at a time. Via email church members had the chance to sign up for particular time slots. What a lot of organization it took on his part! What a joy it is to be in church! One family with young children sat several pews behind us. Pastor Michael asked for a hymn request. And this young lad shouted out “100”. It is the beautiful hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy!” And he didn’t just shout out a random number, he knew the number and the selection it represented. It is evidence to me that this family has times of worship at home and the children, though quite young, know songs and psalms and hymns of praise. At a tender age they are learning how to, seven times a day, praise God.

If perhaps it is not your experience that your heart and mind resound with praises and blessing to God, I would humbly ask you—what are you listening to? The scores of movies. The sitcoms theme songs? The lyrical musical ditties of commercials? All of these will cling like burrs to the brain. Perhaps intentionally add a diet of praise songs and hymns. Listen to magnificent oratorios like: Handel’s Israel in Egypt, or Mendelssohn’s Elijah. If you’d like a shorter intro to wonderfully classical music, consider Vivaldi’s Gloria in D Major. Maybe as you prepare dinner, listen to some contemporary Christian music. Fill that noggin of yours with rapturous music and you’ll soon find with the psalmist that (at least) seven times a day you offer praises to God in your heart for all you have received in Christ Jesus, our Redeemer King.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!

Spirit of the Living God, bring to my heart and mind songs of deliverance and anthems of praise honouring Jesus Christ, the Captain of our Salvation. Spirit of the Living God. Triune God, forever glorious in Your perfections, let the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts be a constant tribute of praise to You. Amen.