"Hallelujah!" This is a hallelujah Psalm! "Praise the LORD" is our translation for "Hallelujah!" but it sure doesn't seem to carry that heavenly oomph that we feel with singing or shouting "Hallelujah!" What I love about this Psalm are the dimensions of praise given here: my soul, all my life, and as long as I live. The psalmist, and the Holy Spirit who inspired him, want us to realize that praise must be all-encompassing. Our lives are to be a "holy praise" to the LORD as long as we have breath! So how's your praise? Have you only been letting it out at church? Mmmm, maybe it's time to let the rest of your life have a few hallelujah as you praise the LORD with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!

I praise you, God of Israel and God of the Covenant, for your mighty work bringing salvation through Israel to all nations in Jesus Christ. My heart praises you for your joy and comfort, my head praises you for all your wondrous creations, my soul praises you for your abiding presence through the Holy Spirit, and my strength praises you with the work of my hands. Please hear my life, heart, and voice as they all cry, "Hallelujah!" to you, who alone is God! In the name of the Messiah Jesus, I say, "Hallelujah and Amen."