Psalm 47 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Everyone, clap your hands. Shout with joy to God!
2 The Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King over all the earth.
Shout with joy? Are you kidding? We are barely holding on these days. We are afraid. But fear makes us forget Who is in charge: not any virus, illness or government, but the “great King over all the earth.”
3 He helped us defeat other nations. He put those people under our control.
4 He chose our land for us. He chose that wonderful land for Jacob, the one he loved.
5 The Lord God goes up to his throne at the sound of the trumpet and horn.
(Full disclosure, here is where I stopped writing and went to check the online news. It’s hard to focus on anything else! Although I would say that I am not afraid, I too have been sucked into this pandemic 24/7.)
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 God is the King of the whole world. Sing songs of praise!
Ah! Here’s a thought! “Sing praises to God. Sing praises.” The one thing I’m not doing these days is listening to praise music. Hmmm.
Music of all kinds impacts to brain differently than, say, the news. It:
* Triggers the release of the happiness neurotransmitter dopamine.
* Is associated with increasing immunity-boosting antibodies and lowering the stress hormone cortisol.
* Helps slow heartbeat and respirations, and lower blood pressure, all signs of stress, and leading to diminished symptoms of depression and anxiety.
* Helps us get in touch with our feelings.
And praise music reconnects us with God.
Maybe you have a playlist of praise music. But if not, there are several online. This is a good one. 2 Hours Non Stop Worship Songs 2019 With Lyrics
I’m ready for this all to be over. But until it is, I’d rather focus on the King of the whole world than on terrifying unknowns. He alone is safety.
8 God sits on his holy throne; he rules all the nations.
9 The leaders of the nations have come together with the people of the God of Abraham. All the rulers of the world belong to God. He is over them all!
God rules. His is all power. He is worthy of honor and praise.
“Sing praises to our King. Sing praises.“