“Praise the Lord!” This is the phrase that begins each Psalm 147-150, and thus ends the book of songs. Why was the book constructed in this way? Because the use of the book of the Psalms is to instruct God’s people in worship. God’s Word over and over again implores His people to never forget God and all His work for His people, in His people, and through His people. Worshipping God, among other aspects, reminds our hearts of the person, work, and covenantal love of God. We should never cease to gather together and, “Praise the Lord!”

Yet, in our recent past, we have had a pandemic, continual fragmentation through politics and culture wars, a massive shift of people relocating, and the relatively new phenomenon of working and worshipping from home. So how are we to obey God’s Word to praise him and, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25) This has been a massive challenge for churches all over the nation. World class preaching and worship music is one podcast or streaming service away. Church services stream into your living room. At best, this has enabled so many people to feel connected to their church community when they are unable to attend. At worst, it is a artificial substitution for an authentic community praising God with each other. I will say, that I had an terrible bout with Covid myself. I was on oxygen for 2 weeks and my wife nursed me through some pretty scary moments. I needed to stay away from church and during covid we needed to love each other by not congregating for a while, even if we all had different ideas about how long that was! 

But the command remains and when restrictions around Covid started to end, God’s people begun to meet together and, “Praise the Lord!” When churches started to gather again, the community looked different for churches all across America. Because of the issues mentioned earlier, some people left to other churches, left the area and moved into the area. I was just told a story I think you should know too. When 1st Presbyterian Whitefish began meeting in person after Covid, one member shouted at the end of a compelling sermon, “Yay Church!” It was her version of “Praise the Lord! God’s people are meeting again to praise His name!” This declaration stuck around and eventually it turned into “Go church!” You see why this matters to people here! Never forget that we have the opportunity and privilege to gather together week after week and obey God’s command to “Praise the Lord!”