Book V
Book V is an invitation to exuberant praise; it is worship in light of God’s covenant love, His Word, and the reminder that His promise of David’s neverending throne would be fulfilled in the Messiah.
I attended a funeral yesterday, one that left me slack-jawed with wonder. It was a beautiful celebration of a man, to be sure, by his family, friends, and a community who will feel the loss of him deeply. Yet, I’ve never been so struck by the idea that life can be understood as a song, and humans as instruments of praise.
What struck me so much about the service is how a life will continue to sing days, weeks, and years after the man, a vessel of praise, breathed his last breath. The lyric and music ring out and thrum, echoing and joining with a chorus of saints for all time and eternity, singing, “Hallelujah! My soul, praise the LORD. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live” (Psalm 146:1–2).
The Hebrew word hallelujah is an exhortation to “praise Him,” Him being Yahweh, “Maker of heaven and earth” (v.6). We are to acknowledge Him in our actions, give thanks to Him in our hearts, proclaim His goodness and faithfulness in our testimony, uttering praise to Him even with our breath (Psalm 145:7). In today’s reading, the writer of Psalm 150 invites and implores us to actively do just that: “Let everything that breathes praise the LORD. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 150:6).
This is an act of vulnerability, requiring us to lay down our will to seek His, and so who we believe God to truly be matters. Each psalmist from today’s reading sets out to remind us, and likely themselves, of who God is, what He has done, and why He alone is worthy of our praise. He exhorts all creation—from angel armies in the highest heavens to creatures that crawl in the earth’s temporal dust—to praise Him (Psalm 148:1–6). We’re reminded that the Lord is just and holy, His acts mighty and awe-inspiring, yet He’s also “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love” to everyone and everything He’s made (Psalm 145:8–9). His greatness and power are unsearchable, completely unfathomable to our minds (v.3).
Take this in: “the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). In a world that shifts its attention and devotion on a whim, the Lord is constant and does not swerve from His purposes. His is a love worthy of our loud, joyful, and unabashed praise, with all the instruments available to us but none more vital than our quiet, awe-filled devotion. As long as we have breath, may our days whisper His song. May the testimony of our lives never cease to sing about His wonder. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
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56 thoughts on "The Final Hallelujah"
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Heidi, I have a sticky this morning reminding me to watch for your name and, hopefully, find out how things are going with you all. Know that you are being prayed for every day and thought about often. Listen to God, He has this, no matter what!
MICHELLE PATIRE – You may not think it is lyrically impressive but the words are !
I would love to hear you sing and play it. Simplicity is wonderful and God loves to hear us sing to Him.
Heidi- God will make a way. He always does. I am praying on your behalf for His will to be done in your life.
@Mercy, I hope you see this! I noticed you just made a post and the grace day is gone!
I was so thankful to see your comment yesterday. It blessed me.
Yesterday, the Lord told me to go to this songwriter’s open mic that I really like that’s held once a month. I shared three songs – two originals and one cover. It was really cool because the second song is a “worship” song I wrote on ukulele. It’s very simple —- the lyrics are very basic and I wrote it very quickly. Usually, the lyrics are well thought out and songs take more time. What I like about it is the freedom of it. I left the end to be a spontaneous part because I want it to be truly a place where I get be myself with God. Lyrically, it is not impressive, but it’s a message about my season of faith. I will share it :
“Faithful Infinite”
There is no doubt about,
The love I feel surrounds,
The love I feel surrounds me.
(Yeah yeah yeah)
You’re all I think about
And what I dream about.
Never lost with out you.
(Yeah yeah yeah)
Chorus
***
Love like no other,
Can’t be what I need
(You’re what I need)
Faithful infinite,
Can’t be what I see.
(You’re what I see)
Now
You’re all I need around me
(Yeah yeah yeah)
You’re all I see around me
(Yeah yeah yeah)
You’re all I feel around me
(Yeah yeah yeah)
Now
***
And when no one’s around
I know you can be found
You’re always here around me
(Yeah yeah yeah)
And I know without
Your loving arms around
I’d be lost without you
(Yeah yeah yeah)
Chorus ***
Spontaneous worship
You’re all I need around me
(Yeah yeah yeah)
You’re all I see around me
(Yeah yeah yeah)
You’re all I feel around me
(Yeah yeah yeah)
Now
Heidi, praying for you. I also know two persons in the past few years that were called into bible college and walking the exact same path. It’s a privilege but it’s a mental battle. One of them was an international student, called to come to Canada to study for a master degree at a renowned bible college, with absolutely no finance back up. He was on scholarship but he wouldn’t know until last minute like the first week of September. Fast forward, covid happened at the tail end of his first year. 2nd year the school said we don’t think we have funding. But turns out he got even more for the 2nd year after being rejected twice for scholarship of second year, but somehow he got tuition and living expense on campus. And now he will be a pastor soon in another province of Canada. And he walked a very difficult 2 year in Canada, dealing with culture shock, unsure of where finance coming from, no families, just church friends (us), and then covid isolation. And then he shared with me how these 2 years were the hardest. Faith called him to somewhere he didn’t want to be. He said he could be homeless if the school chose to close down the campus, thankfully they didn’t, but closed down the cafeteria, no food, which some of us from church cooked meals and brought to him weekly. But it was so much of the unknown. Now that it’s behind, there are moments he would feel so worn down and asked me to pray. And I told him the Lord helped you through a lot, God chose you to survive covid isolation, and be a scholarship recipient. And he said he got over $50,000 for two years schooling (tuition plus a private room on campus). He forgot about that. On hind sight, none of this came easy ahead of time. God gives us more than enough but not so much as to free us from dependence on Him. It is still a storm at times walking through the ordained path. I will pray for your courage and more trust to walk this difficult journey. And remember, the Lord walks with you!
Grace Day posted on the He Reads Truth site ❤
This was such a good devotion. Every day that I read the Psalms, God’s grandeur, His Holiness, His Righteousness, His Mercy, and everything that He is are my reasons for devoting a life of Praise to Him.
I’m always sad when we reach the end of a study. This one was soooo good. But a new one begins Monday and it will be good as well. As they say on the podcast, “Keep opening your Bibles!” Have a great weekend ladies. ❤️
Heidi, it is not irresponsible to trust God to provide for you in what He has called you to do.He is able to meet your needs. I want to encourage you He has everything in His hands, trust Him and in faith let others know your need, ask Him who to share with. Reach out to your church in faith, ask friends and family for support, ask the program if there is a way to lower the cost. He has all the resources, all the blessings, Lord pour out Your blessings on Heidi, increase her husband’s business, we know you have an amazing plan for her, Lord I love the beautiful ways you meet our needs, and I am so thankful. I ask You to show us Your provision of finances to cover the bills, the seminary, You are so faithful Lord, I see You moving mountains all around me, I pray this for Heidi in Jesus name Amen. Hugs dear Heidi, He’s got you.
Happy Saturday She’s!
Boy, is my back screaming at me this morning and yesterday! Chronic back issues and sleeping in an rv for almost 2 weeks now is making it apparent I need my bed! We are here (IL.) visiting for 2 more nights, then will drive down to Kentucky to see my daddio for a night, then the 14 hours to home in Fort Myers! My back is going to be a tied-up, miserable ball of pain. Prayers please. But my son is here with us now visiting for our final couple of days, so I am a happy mom. (although most of the day he is abandoning me for friends!) Tomorrow we shall go to our old church together so I will love that, such a blessing.
Sorry you are in such a tough spot @Heidi. Prayers for you to have some clarity on the situation.
I am excited to start Hebrews!
Y’all idk what to do- many of you know my journey somewhat and that I’ve followed a call to go to seminary. I’ve started and I’m loving it. It’s hard and incredibly time consuming (about to head out to another full class day today…) but enlightening and refreshing.
But… (isn’t it always something…??)
Money. Idk what God is doing. My man and I went through our finances last night and this makes no logical sense to be doing this. Some may even see it as irresponsible on our part. And at the same time we both have felt- separately even- God “speak to us” (please know my context) that this is where He wants me right now. I sincerely don’t know the right thing to do anymore and I know the enemy is trying to bring as much confusion and discouragement as he possibly can.
Please please pray…
-wisdom
-eyes and ears to see/hear His direction AND the enemy’s tactics
-peace within His plan
-knowledge and understanding of the concrete things that have to be addressed (bills/tuition/income…)
God could easily drop $10k from the sky if He wanted to, I know that. But He’s not doing that so how am I/are we supposed to meet the financial commitments that we have? For so long He blessed my husband’s company (of which he’s the owner) with financial blessing. And He has clearly chosen to close that window of income. So now what? I really really don’t know. I don’t want to give up on something that’s turned into a met desire I never even knew I had. But if I need to return to full time work to support my family, then I see no other option. So incredibly torn…
So true, TRICIA C!
TINA – morning! Still no weekly truth, on website or app. I’ll read some or all of yesterday’s Scriptures instead.
I have enjoyed the Psalms study and have learned a lot but it did feel somewhat rushed to me. I may look for another Psalms study or go through the whole book of Psalms on my own later this year, or even use this study as a guide … and read through any skipped Psalms as I come to them.
Looking forward to the next study!
Good Saturday morning Sisters! No weekly truth yet, but we know our Truth is Jesus. He is the Anchor for our soul. Have a blessed day!
Beautiful song…”My Soul Sings” by Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser
Seems to be no weekly truth as yet…
Morning All!
With the breathe I have Lord God, I will forever praise you!
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah.
AMEN.
Happy weekend my dears wrapped in love hugs and prayers, always..❤
Searching- thank you so much for the prayers. Still feeling nor so great, but I am praising the Lord as much as I am able to right now with you all!
Rebecca, thank you for sharing. I love that quote you shared. “Your trust is in the wrong place. You are trusting in outcomes-in things you think ought to happen. I want you to trust in me!” My three children don’t know the Lord. I constantly pray for them and my grandchildren and just don’t feel like I’m doing enough. But God…He knows my heart and he knows how desperately they need Him. I will be praying for your family and all who have children and grandchildren needing His mercy and Grace. Keeping all of your requests in prayer. Blessed weekend ladies. Praise the Lord!
I’m so thankful the Lord is forever and unchanging. Even when so many things in our lives changes, he doesn’t❤️
“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and the two edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishment upon the people, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord” Psalm 149:6-9. This verse caught me by surprise. This shows how much the authority a child of God (saint) is entitled to.
Dear sisters, may I say when I read what all of you have had to share, in your pain and suffering, I sat and cried in front of my computer (tear duct cleanse in the morning as a she called it). And I rejoiced with tears of happiness when seeing your testimonies of victories that God brought you through. It happened today as well reading many beautiful stories today.
@Michelle Patire, wow an amazing super fast healing. A bike ride sounds amazing now that you mentioned it lol. About your music, I would love to read one of your new music lyrics one of these days Michelle if you like to share. The one you shared last time was beautiful and I absolutely adored it.
@Rhonda J, praying for your grandchildren, Braydon is it? I hope I remember correctly. I am so touched by your tender love for him.
@Taylor: may you have a wonderful meet up with your friend, regardless! Excited for you.
@Jenifer loves Jesus: thank you for sharing your feelings with us. As a military wife, I relate to what you said. But oh how God has been faithful through every single up and down. With God all things are possible. Praying for more strength for you, and may you be the shining light of courage and hope to those around you.
Have a lovely weekend my sweet sisters. Be blessed.
Hello friends!
I am feeling much better, today. Today is my sabbath, hence the late post. I’m at one of my favorite places – Whole Foods Market, enjoying a late lunch with the Lord.
I went to a prayer meeting yesterday with some women in the local area. There are two beautiful women hosting in almost every week while it’s still nice out. The minute I got there, I noticed my cramps and pain had ceased. I even wrote a prayer request just in case, but I felt fine. I even went for a bike ride yesterday and no pain!!! Hallelujah for that! I stopped taking the antibiotics bc I don’t see a need for them. As my sample came back negative with other test. Praise the Lord. I pray my body flushed out anything that caused me pain and God healed up any wounds down there.
These Psalms are just prayers for me. I basically wrote down all of Psalm 145 because it was just beautiful.
I continue to meditate on God’s mercy. It outlasts our human frames. I am believing God to bless me with my longings- my music to be shared with the public and my family, a future husband, and a generation that praises God through my womb. I am single but ready and open for the Lord’s blessings. How imperfect we are, yet how faithful God is to care for us so deeply. May people taste and see His goodness through our lives– all of it. The messy and the polished, He wastes nothing. Amen and amen.
Hallelujah! Jennifer Loves Jesus, I love what you wrote about the SRT ladies and the posts are twinkling stars in the sky! And thank you for sharing the memorization tip last weekend. So happy for Rhonda J ‘s nephew wanting a cross and Dorothy’s family with baby George! I needed a tissue this morning. Also praying for the requests on here of so many.
Singing the praises of our Lord this morning. What a great way to start the day and kickoff the weekend. Amen and Amen!
Amen. My heart grieves for my home country and the Queen’s Family. She was so humble, and every Christmas was all about Jesus,all the time.
Ever have one of those days that when you read something you read it incorrectly and it makes no sense? Well that’s the type of day I’m having today. I’ve had to reread the Scriptures and the devotional multiple times because my brain just doesn’t want to read it right the first time.
I’m PRAISING GOD, CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT today for multiple reasons but one special reason, my son and daughter-in-law called me last evening to let me know they are naming my grandson — she’s due the end of April if all goes well — after my father and oldest son, they were both named George (my oldest son — who died in 2003 — was named after my dad). I was in tears, happy tears. God is wonderful, loving, awe-inspiring, and gracious Lord.
Lord God I thank You from the bottom of my heart for all that You have done for me. Many times I don’t understand why at that moment but eventually the reason is revealed. You are a LOVING, GRACIOUS AND WONDERFUL GOD who I know I can turn at any time, day or night. Thank You for ALWAYS being there for me. Amen.
Sisters, be blessed and smile because it’s contagious. Have a great weekend.
Macie Mae. Thank you for the quote from Queen Elizabeth. Amen and Amen
This fits perfectly to Her Majesty the Queen. She is truly an example to all of us on how to be selfless and a servant to all until the end.
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!”
AMEN and AMEN!!
Good Morning She’s!
Reading the Psalms this morning, I look back and see the constant of God. When I was leading my own path, going astray, I was a mess. A Big Giant Mess. That was my college years, the 20’s, where you are striving to find your way in an adult world. I did love God, but I wasn’t aware that I must follow His will in my choices and actions. I have been back on God’s path for over 20 years now. Reading the bible and staying grounded on the rock of truth DAILY is the ONLY way to live in Glory! Abundant Joy! He is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That is truth. We choose to believe it in faith or not, but like someone else says, it doesn’t change the truth that he is the Lord of all Lords! And the closer you draw into Him, your thoughts and actions change for Him. We much teach this to our future generations. It filled my heart with joy to buy a cross necklace for my 14-year-old grandson last night. He is the one in such a struggle with his family and self-worth. I hope he will wear it with confidence that he can turn to God in his pain and struggles.
@Traci G- Where have you been, miss ya!
@Angie- Miss you, how is school this new year?
Hallelujah! Let us join all of nature, all the saints, all the elders, all of heaven and PRAISE HIM!!!! HE IS GOOD, AND HIS GOODNESS ENDURES FOREVER!!
I thought of her too. She was His servant. Her life exemplified His work in her.
Praying for healing and hope, courage and strength for all our SRT sisters and entire UK as they mourn the loss of their beloved queen.
It’s been a long time since I’ve written but do pray for everyone’s requests, and so love reading about everyone’s lives and faith filled journeys. It is interesting to me that all of us here are at varying places and generations along this journey yet I learn from each and every one of you and can sympathize with your sorrows and rejoice in your blessings! One thing I have wrestled with and as I have gotten older, weighs heavily on my heart, is the turning away from the church and lives of faith in my adult children. But then I read in a book (Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children which one of you recommended) a prayer principal that has soothed my heart. The author says she heard God say, “your trust is in the wrong place. You are trusting in outcomes-in things you think ought to happen. I want you to trust in me!” He was right, she says,I had the wrong anchor; no wonder I found myself drifting. When our Confidence becomes rooted in God himself instead of some particular outcome, we gain freedom from things like anxiety, insecurity, and fear. We gain joy. We gain peace. So that’s what I’m asking God to help me do— To help me put my confidence, my trust, and my delight in him rather than in any blessing or gift he might provide. (Psalm 84:12, “Blessed is the one who trusts in you.) So I will continue to pray for our five prodigals but will put my trust in Him even when I don’t see outcomes. Thanks for listening, and please lift them up with me. Have a great Friday! I leave tomorrow for Disney World with my husband to celebrate a special birthday! Excited!!
None of the reasons we have to praise the Lord and none of His goodness to His people are hyperbole. Praise His name!
When reading today’s message did anyone else besides me think of Queen Elizabeth’s life-long devotion to the Lord?
I read earlier this morning that she was noted as saying one time that she wished to se the Lord’s return in her lifetime. When prompted to explain why she so humbly and beautifully proclaimed, “I should so love to lay my crown at His feet.”
Wow. Just wow. What an incredible example of faith in our time.
When reading today’s message did anyone else besides me think of Queen Elizabeth’s life-long devotion to the Lord?
I read earlier this morning that she was noted as saying one time that she wished to se the Lord’s return in her lifetime. When prompted to explain why she so humbly and beautifully proclaimed, “I so wish to lay my crown at His feet.” Wow. Just wow. What an incredible example!
When reading today’s message did anyone else besides me think of Queen Elizabeth’s life-long devotion to the Lord?
I read earlier this morning that she was noted as saying one time that she wished to se the Lord’s return in her lifetime. When prompted to explain why she so humbly and beautifully proclaimed, “I so wish to lay my crown at His feet.”
When reading today’s message did anyone else besides me think of Queen Elizabeth’s life-long devotion to the Lord?
When reading today’s message did anyone else besides me think of Queen Elizabeth’s life anddevotion to the Lord?
When reading today’s message did anyone else besides me think of Queen Elizabeth’s life and devotion to the Lord?
Praise the Lord
Couple days behind but praying for you Mari V. And thank you Tina for all that you shared on the God’s Faithfulness reading. Love you, sisters. God is so good ❤️
Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts. – Psalms 145:4. Love this. His goodness remains. His love remains. His faithfulness remains. Generation after generation. So many reasons to praise Him.
I sing your praises Lord. Amen & Amen!!
Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him. Ringing and singing in my heart from this final hallelujah Friday of our Psalms reading. I am so grateful for all the SHE’s glittering on my screen each morning. You are like the stars in the sky ushering in the first morning light of sunrise to me as the day unfolds with devotion. As I look back on each post, prayers and praises are lifted for you all. I have been inspired and encouraged by your words to me and to each other. As I read the Psalms, I sang some of the verses out loud to God in prayer that He would help me sing with a beautiful sound as I step forward to join my church choir. First practice is Sunday. Over and over my heart has heard the sound of calling to sing for our Lord, to our Creator, as an offering of praise.
The song Gratitude from The Worship Initiative says it all—
“So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
So come on, my soul
Oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord”
So I will. I will get up and praise the Lord! There is a lion inside of my lungs roaring to be heard. I believe God will bring forth my voice!
Final Friday thought, actually it was from yesterday on my morning walk/run… WIVES who have lifted prayers for their marriages and husbands, I KNOW it is hard sometimes. Sometimes it is HARD for a LONG time. 20 years in my own marriage has been a story. Military/law enforcement husbands bring a whole other layer of difficulty. Any wife who reads this… I was thinking of offering my email to start a prayer circle. Please reach out and email me. No details are needed to pray for eachother, yet feel free to share and be honest. I have walked a super tough road too. 10 years of prayer and not knowing what the future would bring, tears, on my knees, flat on my face, prayer and prayer, prayer and prayer, crying out to God for years before landing where we are now. There is healing happening. There is a most beautiful story being sung right now. Not perfectly. Not without hard things. BUT GOD. This ((TINA)) infamous battly cry is never truer than when a miracle like I am living happens. So, anyone wanting to join an email prayer circle… email me at [email protected].
Thank you sweet SRT community, for being here. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord. I praise our Lord for you all. AMEN & AMEN
THE FINAL HALLELUJAH!
-Praising our King’s greatness (Psalm 145)
-Praising our Compassionate God (Psalm 146)
-Praising God for restoring Jerusalem (Psalm 147)
-All creation praises God (Psalm 148)
-Praising our Triumphant God (Psalm 149)
-Everyone praises God everywhere with anything (Psalm 150)
As my pastor so often says, we can choose Jesus to be our Savior, but we cannot choose Him to be our Lord. He IS Lord. One day, every knee will bow before Him and will declare His Lordship.
Praise is an outward expression of the attitude of our heart that proclaims God as our Lord and Master, King and Creator. He is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.
We are to praise God for His greatness, His compassion, His acts of restoration, His creation, and His triumph.
All creation praises God. Look and listen to the ways that the natural world praises God by doing the things for which they were created. Will you allow the stars, the rocks, the trees, and the birds to praise Him more than you? He created US in His image. He created US for relationship with Him. We should praise Him with our entire being.
How will I use my next breath to praise & worship & glorify my King?
I will praise the Lord in every season for He is trustworthy and faithful! Amen and amen!
Ladies please continue to pray for me! I so appreciate it. My guy’s flight got delayed by 4 hours last night so he missed his connection and had to spend the night in Dallas. Last night was very stressful helping him switch his flight to one this morning, book a hotel, and make sure he got through everything safely. I’ve developed another stye on my other eye which I think is from stress. I also woke up super early with lots of anxiety. I’m glad the Lord put on my heart to open my Bible and do today’s devotion. Spending time in God’s Word is so grounding. Also my roommate’s cat must know I’m stressed because he’s happily curled up in my lap which is helping my anxiety. He’ll get into Baltimore at 10am now so I’ll be leaving in a little to pick him up. Thank you all for your prayers <3 I've loved doing this study with the community! I think it came at a much needed time for many of us. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend!
Praise the Lord! In some ways, this phrase is many times a standard, dare I say watered down, response by Christians and non-Christians alike to any sort of good or not-so-bad news. This really hit me in reading the Scripture references for today. Yes, I pray every day, many times throughout the day. Yes, I say Praise the Lord when I am thankful for things, big and small. But am I really and truly praising the one and only Almighty God? Sometimes, yes. Every day? every single day? Umm, let me get back to you on that. Definitely need to take a good look at my heart and be honest with myself.
Thank you:
MICHELLE PATIRE – and am praying for answers for your health
SHARON, JERSEY GIRL
ANGIE MILLS – for your encouragement! I have poured time into children over the years when I’ve seen the need, sacrificially in some instances, but I do need to remember to keep looking! Thank you!
SARAH D & TAYLOR – praying for anxieties
KIMBERLY Z -praying for healing for your dad
RHONDA J – praying for your grands and those that influence them
VICTORIA E – praying for rest, strength, wisdom and guidance. And daycare.
Amen and Amen!
Love this! I picture myself praising my Lord for all of eternity. Nothing lifts my spirit more than when I am praising Him!!
Amen! Hallelujah! Let everyone with breath praise Our Lord!
Ps 145:8-9 “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love.
The Lord is good to everyone;
his compassion rests on all he has made.”
One day all will bow at Your feet, Lord. You will be praised and honored as You should be. May I be found doing that now as I breathe in Your mercy and breathe out Your grace.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.ah
Hallelujah! Amen! Prayers for you all today!
Amen, praise the Lord!
God’s kingdom lasts forever. Let us and all creation praise Him, and put our trust in Him.
As we here in the UK mourn the loss of our Queen, let our eyes be turned to our eternal King.