Hello Friends, This is my recent oil painting of St. Francis with Brother Wolf, welcoming and releasing the larks to the sky. (Please contact me for prints and greeting cards.)
This goes along with the Revised Common Lectionary reading for this Sunday, which is from Psalm 148. St. Francis of Assisi based his “Canticle to the Sun” on this psalm of praise. William Draper used St. Francis’ canticle, as the basis for the majestic hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King.”
Here is Psalm 148 and a link to some beautiful music, from the blog by Victoria Emily Jones. Just scroll down a bit for a performance of the hymn by “All Sons and Daughters,” (Leslie Jordan and David Leonard) on location in Assisi!
Victoria Emily Jones’ blog is entitled, “Art and Theology.” May these words, music and images help you join Creation’s praise!
Psalm 148 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Praise for God’s Universal Glory
148 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
6 And he established them for ever and ever;
he fixed their bounds which cannot be passed.[a]
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Beasts and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!
Please join the conversation and pass my blog along!
WHAT LEADS YOU TO PRAISE along with ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING?
THE ART OF FAITH 
Is there evidence that Psalm 148:10b “…and flying fowl” influenced Franciscus of Assisi to preach to the birds that they should come to their senses and serve, praise and glorify God to the extent they can?
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Just saw this as I am now at ArtofFaith.substack.com. I don’t know the answer but great question and I would guess a “yes.” There is so much in Scripture that calls for our care for all of God’s creation!
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