“Sing A Song Of Praise To The Lord!”

“Sing A Song Of Praise To The Lord!”
Yesterday in service we skipped certain portions of the liturgy as indicated by the rubrics on the Proper. During this season of Advent the Halellujah verse is omitted. The preacher however interspersed his sermon with “Hallelujah!” And the congregation responded as he expected.
During this season we also omit the “Act of praise.” We have been doing this and we do it, but yesterday I reflected on this and asked a colleague who was sitting next to me, “Does it mean that the other songs we sing during this season are not songs of praise?”
We reflect on this here because the text of today is a song of praise in honour of the redemption brought about by the Lord.
Isaiah opens by saying, “In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah…” Amongst other issues raised in the song is that God makes salvation the walls and ramparts of a strong city. It is a city to be opened for a righteous nation that keeps faith to enter in.
God will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is steadfast and who trust in the Lord. “Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord…is the rock eternal. He humbled those who dwell on high…” God uses the feet of the oppressed and the footsteps of the poor to trample down the city of the oppressor.
A song of praise to God must humble us to know that nothing we accomplish is by our own effort and strength. In recognition of this we should sing, “Lord, you establish peace for us, all that we have accomplished you have done for us”(Is.26:1-12).
My friend, Emmanuel is your salvation. Be Humble, strive for righteousness and honour the Lord in song for what he has done for you!
Welcome to a new week. Engage in your work and do it heartily as serving the Lord and not men! And let his praise be continually in your heart and on your lips! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!