For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. (Ps. 117:2)

Do you stand when you hear the opening notes of the “Hallelujah Chorus”? The overwhelming impact of those few words and the accompanying music remains unequaled since Handel first wrote them in 1741. God’s majesty reverberates from the instruments. His power surrounds us, and we rise in response to the promise of his kingdom’s reign. The music transports us beyond the cares of this present world, and our spirits bow before the eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Can you hear that same sense of worship in the psalmist’s praise? He calls on people throughout the ages to join him in exaltation of our loving Lord for his eternal faithfulness. Over and over in the book of Psalms we see the writers break out in spontaneous adoration of our ever-present shepherd. God cares for us, has always cared for us, and will always do so.

How can we fail to give honor to one who offers so much: unconditional love, unmerited favor, and undeserved forgiveness for anyone who turns to him in repentance? Our sins are remembered no more, and our lives are cleansed.

We may never write a musical score like Handel or have the audience of the book of Psalms. Yet we can daily raise our hearts and voices to the only one worthy of our praise.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Set aside time with God for unbridled praise.

Diana C. Derringer teaches Sunday school and serves with her husband as a friendship family to international university students.

© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.