Psalm Reflection: The Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B
“Praise the Lord, my soul!” - Psalms 146
There is a popular praise and worship song called Praise by Elevation Worship. When they launched the song in 2023, the band shared on social media, “You won’t always feel like praising God. There will be seasons when it’s hard to see God at work, and you’ll feel more discouraged than grateful.”
The lyrics are below, take a moment to read them.
Praise by Elevation Worship*
Let everything that has breath
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
I’ll praise in the valley
Praise on the mountain
I’ll praise when I’m sure
Praise when I’m doubting
I’ll praise when outnumbered
Praise when surrounded
Cause praise is the waters
My enemies drown in
As long as I’m breathing
I’ve got a reason to
Praise the Lord
Oh my soul
I’ll praise when I feel it
I’ll praise when I don’t
I’ll praise cause I know
You’re still in control
My praise is a weapon
It’s more than a sound
My praise is the shout
That brings Jericho down
Praise the Lord
Oh my soul
I won’t be quiet
My God is alive
How could I keep it inside
Praise the Lord
oh my soul
I’ll praise cause You’re sovereign
Praise cause You reign
Praise cause You rose and defeated the grave
I’ll praise cause You’re faithful
Praise cause You’re true
Praise cause there’s nobody greater than You
Praise the Lord
Oh my soul
Is this how we approach the Lord is the trials and joys of life?
It is easy to praise when things are comfortable.
It is easy to praise when everyone is healthy.
It is easy to praise when you can pay your bills.
It is easy to praise when you have community and feel loved.
It is hard to praise when life does not turn out the way we thought it would. When we are lost, broken, alone, ashamed, struggling, suffering, anxious, and worried, praise can often go out the window. But in every season, He is still God.
What the Psalmist is reminding us of this week is the fact that when bad things happen in life, God is not absent. He is not on vacation. He does not cease to be God in the midst of suffering. No, He is still sovereign and working for our greatest possible good (Romans 8:28). He is still for us, and with Him nothing can come against us.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31
It is precisely in the difficult moments that we can take refuge in our Lord, Jesus, who understands suffering. He carried the weight of sin and suffering on His bruised and bloodied back so we could be free of it all. So, when we experience it, we can give it back to Him as an offering of praise saying, “God, thank you for allowing me to suffer, because in my suffering I am close to you.”
It is not easy, but trusting wholeheartedly never is.
So, whatever is happening in your life this week, if it is the absolute best or worst week or your life so far or anything in between, praise the Lord. Praise Him in the midst of it to be reminded of who He is and who you are not. He is God, He can handle anything we give Him.
Entrust everything in your life to the capable hands of God, and praise.
I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.
Matt
This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, September 8th, 2024, which is the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B: Psalms 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10.
*Listen to Praise by Elevation Worship
Written by Steven Furtick, Chandler Moore, Brandon Lake, Pat Barrett, Cody Carnes, Chris Brown
©2023 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing, Maverick City Publishing/For Humans Publishing, Bethel Music Publishing/Maverick City Publishing Worldwide, Housefires Sounds / Capitol CMG Genesis, Capitol CMG Paragon / Writers Roof Publishing
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