ROOTED - Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Psalm 57:9-11

9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

    I will sing praises to you among the nations.

10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,

    your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

    Let your glory be over all the earth!

Reflection: Be Exalted, O God.

Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro

John Michael Talbot wrote a song in 1986, “Be Exalted, O God…” a
hymn-styled congregational praise chorus. It is found in the “Celebration
Hymnbook,” a hymnbook that is used occasionally for offertory music in our
traditional service. That hymnbook was used at the church of my teen years, and
this chorus was sung to full orchestra, and vibrant spirits. And I remember
singing with all my heart, in genuine worship to the Lord, “be exalted, O Lord,
let your glory be over all the earth.” My mind would contemplate a God above
the heavens, and my mind was awe-inspired.

This is one of the great Psalms. The words are majestic and wonderful.
The Psalmist affirms that he will give thanks to God, above all people. Why?
Because God’s steadfast love is great to the heavens… and infinite and glorious
love beyond measure. Adding to it, the Psalmist says that God’s faithfulness is
above the clouds. The response of the psalmists is to exclaim, “Be exalted, O
God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” That is… because
God’s love and faithfulness are high, I am going to exalt him above the heavens
and over the earth.

What a gorgeous expression of a heart of worship… a gratefulness
of God so deep that the Psalmist exalting worship tries to match God’s
worthiness. That is, as far as I am concerned, a good way to think about God
and worship.

Prayer

Lord, may we be like the Psalmist, recognizing your faithfulness
and love, and worshipping you in a way consistent with your glory.