January 23

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that he above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath also stabbed them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD; for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

In this splendid anthem the Psalmist calls upon the whole creation to praise Jehovah: things with and things without life, beings rational and irrational, are summoned to join the mighty chorus. "Milton, in his 'Paradise Lost' (Book V., line 153, etc.), has elegantly imitated this psalm, and put it into the mouth of Adam and Eve as their morning hymn in a state of innocency."—James Anderson.

"This psalm is neither more nor less than a glorious prophecy of that coming day, when not only shall the knowledge of the Lord be spread over the whole earth, as the waters cover the sea, but from every created object in heaven and in earth, animate and inanimate, from the highest archangel, through every grade and phase of being, down to the timest atom—young men and maidens, old men and children, and all kings and princes, and judges of the earth shall unite in this millennial anthem to the Redeemer's praise."—Barton Boucher.

"See how the Psalmist trumpets out the word 'PRAISE.' It sounds forth some nine times in the first five verses of this song. Like minute-guns, exultant exhortations are sounded forth in tremendous force—Praise! Praise! Praise! The drum of the great King beats round the world with this one note—Praise! Praise! Praise!"—C. H. Spurgeon.

Dr. Charles Hodge says: "As far back as I can remember, I had the habit of thanking God for everything I received, and of asking Him for everything I wanted. If I lost a book or any one of my playthings, I prayed that I might find it. I prayed walking along the streets, in school and out of school, whether playing or studying. I did not do this in obedience to any prescribed rule—it seemed natural. I thought of God as an everywhere present Being, full of kindness and love, who would not be offended if children talked to Him."

Closet Promise.—Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word.—Psalm cxix. 65.

I praise Thee while my days go on; I love Thee while my days go on; Through dark and dearth, through fire and frost,

With emptied arms and treasure lost, I thank Thee while my days go on —E. B. Browning.