"Let the heaven and earth praise Him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein" (Psalm 69:34).

We may not yet understand the full purpose of God in creation, but at least one aspect of that purpose is that all things created should somehow praise their Creator. This theme occurs often in Scripture, especially in the psalms. For example, in addition to the exhortation in our text.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork" (Psalm 19:1).

"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the LORD: for He cometh . . ." (Psalm 96:11–13).

"All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee" (Psalm 145:10).

"Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light. Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. . . . Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling His word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl" (Psalm 148:3, 4, 7–10).

The Lord Jesus said that if men should refuse to praise Him and "should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out" (Luke 19:40). Yet even though the whole creation--in its beauty, complexity, and providential orderliness--gives continual praise to its Creator, men perversely have "worshipped and served the creature |or better, the creation| more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever" (Romans 1:25).

How poignant, therefore, is the final verse of the Book of Psalms: "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD" (Psalm 150:6). HMM