Today's Verse: Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 33:1

This passage is saying that the Lord deserves our praise.

Today's Comments: In the Book of Common Prayer, just before the Prayer of Consecration, there is a section called the Sursum Corda. This section is often sung, and the Rite 2 translation is as follows:

Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest,

faces them and sings or says

The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Lift up your hearts.

People We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every‑

where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of

heaven and earth.

It is the same call to prayer and praise in the psalm verse to which the Book of Common Prayer calls us before the consecration. The Eucharist, itself is truly a time for celebration with uplifted hearts. Consider the fact that the Eucharist commemorates the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through which we are given new life in God. And that surely deserves all the praise that we can give.