Psalm Meditation 1281 ¶Second Sunday After Christmas ¶January 5, 2024 ¶Psalm 150 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+150&version=NRSVUE (NRSVUE) ¶I grew up surrounded by music. My father had an appreciation for music even though he did not play an instrument. My mother played violin, piano, and sang. Each of my brothers, and me, played in a school band, and most of us played multiple instruments not usually included in school band. We also had years of singing in choirs and other singing groups. Making music, participating in the art and craft of music was, and continues to be, a part of life for us. My wife and children also have music training and experience. ¶The psalmist calls us to use our instruments to praise God. There is no mention of quality, as much as variety. If it makes a noise it can be used to praise God. It also seems that the emphasis is on the praise rather than on the skill of the musician. “Let everything that breathes paise the LORD!,” includes humans, and beyond, in offering our praise. Our various instruments as well as the chirps, howls, barks, purrs, squeals, and screams of other creatures are called into service for the praise of God. ¶It seems that when we put ourselves in an attitude of praise we more readily hear the praise from those around us. Sounds that are annoying, frightening, or otherwise unsettling can take on a different emotional tone when we are tuned to praise. It is still important to be aware of the creature making those sounds, just in case it is not in a praise mood at the time. When we look for reasons and ways to praise, we move closer to the way of God in our lives. ¶December 30, 2024 ¶LCM