Praise God

Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. (Ps. 145:2)

i grew up singing the Doxology in church. I liked the music and sang loud and joyfully: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow / Praise Him all creatures here below / Praise Him above, ye heavenly host / Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” My current congregation sings it less frequently, but it is still a powerful vehicle for praising God.

Thomas Ken wrote the Doxology as the final stanza of three hymns designated as Morning, Evening, and Midnight Hymns. We know them better today by their first lines: “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun”; “All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night”; and “My God, I Now from Sleep Awake.” As chaplain at Winchester College, Ken challenged the students to sing the Morning and Evening Hymns daily as part of their devotions. If they followed his directions, they would have sung the Doxology at least twice a day.

Psalm 145 is attributed to David. He led a troubled life, spending his early years running from King Saul and his later years dealing with revolts started by his own sons. Yet David pledged to praise God every day, even in the midst of his troubles. His practice was consistent with Thomas Ken’s intent. Praise shouldn’t be a once-a-week experience. It should be our daily practice.

So let’s praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Sing or say the Doxology before you go to bed tonight.

Kathryn Page Camp enjoys photography, reading, and sailing Lake Michigan with her husband of thirty-five years.