Make a joyous shout to God, all the earth;

Praise the glory of his name;

Make his praise glorious!

(Psalm 66:1-2)

Suppose for the moment

that a colleague

and close friend of yours

has just brought off

a spectacular accomplishment.

Now you find yourself

in his company

but though you are aware

of his achievement

and he knows you are aware,

still you take no note of it,

not so much as

a syllable of congratulation

crosses your lips.

You preserve an awkward

silence.

This is unnatural.

Are you guilty of

such unexplainable reticence

with respect to God?

Day in, day out,

never so much

as one prayer of praise

escapes you

that would take cognizance of

God's triumphant lordship

over life and the universe.