Hebrews 13: 9 – 16

May 20, 2022

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Morning Prayer has a wonderful ‘list’ of praises to God: Benedictus es, Domini. It begins, “Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers*praised and exalted above all for ever.” There are six items in the ‘list’ and you can find them on page 11 of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.

We all praise God throughout the day and that’s a good thing but sometimes, like in prayer, we don’t always know exactly what to say or how to say it. The Benedictus es is wonderful I think because it uses a word we no longer use in common parlance – exalted. Exalted! Merriam Webster dictionary defines that word this way: 1 · to raise in rank, power, or character ; 2 · to elevate by praise or in estimation : glorify ; 3 · elate ; 4 · to raise high : elevate ; 5 · to enhance the activity …

It’s a great word, isn’t it? Praised and exalted above all forever.

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