Faith Daily Lectio Friday, October 16, 2026 Morning Psalm
Friday, October 16, 2026 · Friday in the week of the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23)
Morning Psalm
Oratio (prayer)
Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 148. Open my lips to join the angels, the stars, the seas, and all Your people in praising Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Psalm 148
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
2Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
3Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:13)
What other lines speak to you?
The Law Sun and moon, fire and hail, "stormy wind fulfilling his word" (v. 8): all creation does what God commands (vv. 3, 8). Only we, made to praise Him, fall silent or praise ourselves. We have given His glory to other names.
The Gospel "He also exalteth the horn of his people" (v. 14). In Christ, the horn of salvation (Luke 1:69), God has made you one of "a people near unto him" (v. 14). Your sins are forgiven, and your mouth is opened to praise.
Prayer Lord, I confess that I have been slow to praise You and quick to seek my own glory. Forgive me. Thank You for Jesus, the horn of salvation, who brought me near. With all Your creatures, let me praise Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
Praise is hard on some mornings. Grief, illness, or worry can make Psalm 148 feel far away. Yet the Psalm does not wait for our mood. It praises because of who God is: "he commanded, and they were created" (v. 5). "He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass." (v. 6) When our hearts are weak, His Word still holds. Under trial, it may help to keep praying the Psalm. Praise often returns as we pray.
Prayer Faithful God, when sorrow or fear makes it hard to praise You, hold me by Your unchanging Word. Teach me to praise You in the dark as in the light, trusting that You are near to Your people. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
