When All Creation Praises

In When All Creation Praises, we see how God stirs hearts to lift His name high and reminds us that praise belongs to Him alone.

“The whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice … Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’ But Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!’” (Luke 19:37–40 NASB).

Hector Berlioz was a free thinker and skeptic. Yet, as an innovative composer, he knew the church was important and wrote several pieces around Christian themes. Most of these were in response to commissions, but one notable exception is his Te Deum Laudamus, which means We Praise You, God.

Berlioz wrote his Te Deum hoping that the emperor would order a performance. When there was no order, Berlioz decided to debut the work for the inauguration of a new organ in the Church of Saint-Eustache near Paris.

This magnificent composition requires enormous resources, including an organ, three choirs, and a huge orchestra. But listeners are rewarded with an overwhelming experience. Berlioz’s words focus on God’s glory, declaring, “We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord … day by day we magnify Thee.”

Listening to this towering music, it’s hard not to think of Jesus’ comment when the Pharisees tried to silence the crowds: “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Paul wrote, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). The Lord can inspire even a skeptic like Berlioz to write music such as Te Deum. Although He could make the rocks cry out, He delights when people praise Him of their own free will.

Lift your voice and praise Him right now! Don’t wait for a church service. He delights in your praises!

Reflection Question: Where do you sense God inviting you to praise Him today?