Creatures of Our God and King

“The LORD is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, and Your godly ones shall bless You.” Psalm 145:9-10 NASB

The man we know as St. Francis of Assisi was dying. The son of a wealthy cloth merchant, he had a carefree youth, until he was captured by a rival army and imprisoned. After emerging from prison, his attitude had changed: He made a radical commitment to serve God, giving up his possessions.

Wandering throughout the region, he had preached the Gospel and demonstrated many acts of kindness. Inspired by his witness, many committed their lives wholeheartedly to God.

Then, in 1226, his last year of life, he began to lose his eyesight. Sensing that death was near, he felt compelled to visit Sister Clara in the Convent of Saint Damiano. She had been among the first to follow his example and commit her life to Christ. During his visit, gradually he regained his sight. Dwelling in a humble reed hut in the garden, he could be heard singing and praising God.

Then, one day as he sat at the monastery table, he cried out, “Praise be to God!” Overwhelmed with wonder, he had composed his “Canticle to the Sun,” an offering of praise and worship that expressed just how much God meant to him.

The text essentially lay undeveloped for hundreds of years until 1910 when William Draper, an English rector, paraphrased Francis’ text into a hymn known as “All Creatures of our God and King.” In Draper’s translation, “all creatures” are called to “lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia! Alleluia!”

In fact, everything in creation should overflow with praise: “O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

In your life, allow praise and worship to fill your heart. As Draper wrote in his coda, “Praise the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three in One!”

Prayer: Father, I worship and praise You. I commit my time, talent, and treasure to You. May my life bring You glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.