Awaking All Powers to Praise God

Deborah's cry—"Awake, awake"—summons not mere sentiment but the total mobilization of the human person toward the praise of Elohim. This summons extends to bodily powers first: the tongue, "glory of our frame," must be tuned like David's harp of old. Sluggish flesh, fatigued from worldly preoccupation, receives animation through Divine joy itself.

But the awakening penetrates deeper. Memory must stir and recount what Adonai has accomplished in days gone by. Judgment must measure the music; understanding must weigh His hesed (loving-kindness) in scales and His goodness in balances. Can we count the small dust of His mercies? Can we comprehend the riches unsearchable bestowed in that unspeakable gift of Christ Jesus?

The spiritual graces demand awakening: Love must strike the keynote; Hope must join hands with her sister and sing of blessings yet to come—of the dying hour when He shall be present, of the resurrection morning when the body leaps from its tomb into the Saviour's arms, of the expected advent and that heaven prepared beforehand.

Faith awakens to sing of promises sure and certain. Yet awakening means nothing without energy—the passionate throwing of oneself into the song, exulting in His name with the whole person unified. Cold, weak praise dishonors the God of Ruth's covenant; only fervent worship befits His sovereignty.