Praising forever

When sleep her balm denies, my silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Praising the name of Jesus is a balm to our souls and our shield when “evil thoughts molest.” And because of this, we will praise Him all the more!

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. Psalm 28:7

Paul reminds us that we do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness that are mentioned in the verse above. Because of this, we must put on the full armor of God so we can resist the devil.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:11-13

As the hymn says, the powers of darkness fear when they hear us sing praise to our Redeemer. That is tremendous comfort and encouragement, and knowing that should keep us singing, just as Paul and Silas did even while they were in jail.

No lovelier antiphon in all high Heav’n is known
Than, Jesus Christ be praised!
There to the eternal Word the eternal psalm is heard:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
In Heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Sing, suns and stars of space, sing, ye that see His face,
Sing, Jesus Christ be praised!
God’s whole creation o’er, for aye and evermore
Shall Jesus Christ be praised!

In Heav’n’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea and sky from depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

These verses are wonderfully summed up in Psalm 148.

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light!
Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He commanded and they were created.
He has also established them forever and ever;
He has made a decree which will not pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth, sea monsters and all deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
Mountains and all hills; fruit trees and all cedars;
Beasts and all cattle; creeping things and winged fowl;
Kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven.
And He has lifted up a horn for His people, praise for all His godly ones; even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
Praise the LORD!

Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Our lives here on earth are relatively short. Is your goal that Jesus Christ be praised through your life? I pray that Jesus would be praised through my thoughts, words, and actions.

So that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
I Peter 4:11

After this life, I look forward to singing the eternal song through all the ages:

MAY JESUS CHRIST BE PRAISED!

But as for me, I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. Psalm 75:9