Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens; and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and
frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
     Psalm 148

This summer I have had the chance to take a couple of driving journeys to visit with various family members. So far, the kids and I drove to the mountains of Vermont; our whole family drove to southern Ohio and took a day trip to a state park in Kentucky. I have traveled on interstate highways, back-country gravel roads, mountainous windy roads, congested city streets. On all of these roads, visiting a variety of people, I have marveled at God's creation all around. Wildflowers, well-groomed gardens, mountains, valleys, rivers, farms, cattle, deer, goats, horses, reptiles and fish -- so much to see and take in. So much over which to marvel.

But this Psalm makes me pause to think that all of God's creation is also marveling at how wondrous God is. All of creation is calling out praise to God in this Psalm. How wonderful to think about the ways that all we see around us is praising God for the wonders that God has done. In color and beauty, with a variety of sounds, all of God's creation can offer praise for the marvelous works of God's hand.

Thank you God, for creating me and all that exists. Thank you for the varieties of people and animals and flowers and trees and water that we see around us. Help us to praise you every day by respecting and caring for your creation. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.