Resolved to Memorize- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

One of my favorite calls to worship is this week's song Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. Line after line speak to my heart. At its core this song speaks of the sovereignty of God over all things, including our circumstances and His creation. Each verse reminds us of His gracious care and love, leading us to the only response that is appropriate- praising the Lord.

At the end of the third verse we see the line I highlighted in the picture to the left: "Ponder anew what the Almighty can do if with His love He befriend thee." When was the last time you pondered what friendship with the Almighty meant to you? Do we realize that King of all creation has chosen us to be His friends? We didn't befriend Him. We looked down at us in our brokenness and rebellion and said, "I will call that one 'Friend'." It still blows me away that God would choose to do that.

The scene captured above is from The Chronicles of Narnia. It's the moment when Aslan speaks to Edmund, pardoning him from his betrayal and welcoming him back to the family. We aren't sure exactly what takes place, but it is obvious from the change in Edmund that he has been forgiven and is now under the banner of the Great Lion. Aslan will now jealously guard Edmund as one of his own; defending him, caring for him, and eventually dying for him.

Isn't this exactly what God's friendship means to us? We've been pardoned, redeemed, adopted, clothed, and guarded. You can see from the lyrics below just how much more the Almighty does for us. I'm excited to commit this song to memory and to ponder anew my friendship with the King of creation.


Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
based on Psalm 103, by Joachim Neander (1680)

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation
Oh, my soul praise Him for He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near; join me in glad adoration

Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings, yes, so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how all thy longings 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 can 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 hand guided and stayed thee
How oft in grief hath He not brought thee relief, spreading His wings to o'er-shade thee

Praise to the Lord! O 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 for aye we adore Him

Here's the music I'm using:




*Typically this verse is the one omitted when sung congregationally, but it is still wonderful

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