PRAISE TO THE LORD

PRAISE TO THE LORD

Many of the great hymns and songs we love have been written out of times of great difficulty and trials. Joachim Neander wasted most of his early days living in immorality and sin. A preacher came to town and Neander decided to go to hear him with the intention of ridiculing the man. Instead he was converted. Four years later he became the headmaster of a school and wrote over sixty hymns. Eventually he was fired because of his beliefs. After losing his job, he wandered around, mostly living in caves. Despite the trials he faced in his short lifetime, he left us a legacy of praise to His great God:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o'er all thing so wondrously reigneth,
Shieldeth thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the amen sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him! Joachim Neander (1650-1680)

I love the line in stanza three: PONDER ANEW WHAT THE ALMIGHTY CAN DO. As you prepare your hearts for worship today, take some time to ponder what HE has done in your life -- and then praise HIM!

Sunday Afternoon concert today with Frank Boggs. 2:30 PM Hymnsing followed by the concert at 3:00 PM.