The Secret Garden Chronicles--"Oh Praise Him, Alleluia!"

Today is the last day of Spring...although it has seemed like summer for a long time here in our part of the country! Thankfully we have been receiving plenty of rain lately to keep the flowers and trees growing.  I am sitting in the Secret Garden this morning, even though it is pretty warm and humid, there is an occasional breeze and it is very pleasant right now.

We read Psalm 146 in our devotions this morning, and here is a part of that beautiful Psalm:

Psalm 146:1-2

"Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

While I live I will praise the Lord;

I will sing praises to my God

while I have my being."

As I read these verses again in the Secret Garden, I just had to start singing!  The first song that came to my mind was "All Creatures of Our God and King".  As I sat there in the garden singing this wonderful old hymn, I could actually hear the birds gathering around in the treetops, listening and singing along.  I was surprised that this little Chickadee actually perched above me in the Magnolia tree for a while and sang his happy tune, and then moved over to the bird house, as if to inspect it for further possible use?  

And as I continued to sing praises to Our God and King, I could hear a Cardinal was singing his song from somewhere among the trees, so I got up and looked around until I found him...can you see him peeking out between the branches?

Here is what the birdies were listening to as I sang:  (although I was singing alone, without the accoustical accompaniment...only the music of the birds and wind rustling the leaves of the trees around me for my symphony)

All Creatures Of Our God And King (with lyrics) performed by Maranatha! Music.

Originally composed by St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

• Refrain:
  O praise Him! O praise Him!
  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

1. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
   Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
   Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
2. 
   
   
3. 
   
   
4. 
   
5. And all ye men of tender heart,
   Forgiving others, take your part,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
   Praise God and on Him cast your care!
6. 
   
   
7. Let all things their Creator bless,
   And worship Him in humbleness,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
   And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
8. 
   
   
9. My hymnbook includes as the last verse the words to 
10. "The Doxology", sung to the same tune as above:


"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
11. 
    
    I hope that you will find some time to sing praises to Our God and King today! I cannot begin to tell you how this little praise time has lifted my spirits. I kind of had a little setback physically over the weekend, and just wasn't feeling up to par for the past several days.  But this morning it seemed that the Lord was telling me to get outside to the Secret Garden and just praise Him! And I did, and I have to say that I feel much better now!!!
12. Oh praise Him!
13. Alleluia!
14. Alleluia!
15. Alleluia!!
16. 
    

For another similar post of praise to our God and Father, Click HERE