Tag: psalms

Ways of Praise

Psalm 7:17 (ESV)  I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Praise seems like such a simple thing.  We praise God for Who He is, for the things He has done both in our lives and in the lives of others through all of history, for the fact He even desires to be active in our lives.  But, there is so much more God is and does that is praiseworthy. 

There are times God works in our lives, touches our souls, heals a friend, when we can’t express our praise in simple words.  Even the psalmist expresses these times:

Psalm 106:1-2 (ESV)  Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?

Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by God’s grace in our lives, by His care and concern for our well-being, that we have no ability to praise Him for even His presence in the situation let alone for His resolution.  Sometimes a simple thanks just isn’t enough after your daughter comes through open heart surgery or you’re told you son might lose the use of his hand due to a dog bite, and God steps in.  We’re at a loss for words in situations like that.  A simple “thank you” doesn’t come close to expressing our praise.  When these times occur, we can ask for help in how we praise God, and God’s Spirit will praise Him for us with appropriate praise that is beyond our capabilities:

Rom. 8:26-27 (ESV)  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We have all seen times when we have been in God’s overwhelming presence and have no idea how to praise Him, no expression is enough, yet God lets us know He is pleased to simply be there in that connection with us.  His love for us is so apparent. Sometimes, this happens during or just after we have repented and confessed our sins.  We’ve returned to Him as prodigal sons, and like the father in that parable, He holds us close, joyful our relationship has been restored:

Luke 15:20 (ESV)  And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

What can be more praiseworthy in our lives than the embrace of God?  What can cause us to adore Him more than that?  The supreme Being of the universe wishes to draw close to us. He promises this:

James 4:8a (ESV)  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Why is this important?

Ps. 7:17 (NASB)  I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Like so many things in our Christian walk, praise is something we cannot do well alone.  It requires God’s help for us to even approach the level of praise worthy of our God.  Fortunately, God receives the praises however we offer them.  The position of our hearts, the obedience to His commands, and our dedication to His Word keeps our relationship with Him rich:

Psalm 119:7-8 (ESV)    I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

The praise God is worthy to receive is a level of praise we cannot offer on our own.  God Himself, through His Spirit, guides us and even intercedes for us in our praises.  That guidance says, like prayer, our praises are never to cease: 

Psalm 34:1 (ESV) I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Let’s walk the walk, look to His Word for direction, then follow that direction.  Those are forms of praise in themselves.

Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving just a couple days past, I thought it would be fitting to list some ways we should give thanks to our Lord.  In my research, I came across David’s song of thanksgiving given in 1 Chronicles chapter 16 (ESV).  He said it much better than I can.  So, here it is for you to enjoy and rejoice in:

8  Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

  9     Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

10     Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

11     Seek the Lord and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

12     Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

13     O offspring of Israel his servant,

children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

14     He is the Lord our God;

his judgments are in all the earth.

15     Remember his covenant forever,

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,

16     the covenant that he made with Abraham,

his sworn promise to Isaac,

17     which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,

to Israel as an everlasting covenant,

18     saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,

as your portion for an inheritance.”

19     When you were few in number,

of little account, and sojourners in it,

20     wandering from nation to nation,

from one kingdom to another people,

21     he allowed no one to oppress them;

he rebuked kings on their account,

22     saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,

do my prophets no harm!”

23     Sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Tell of his salvation from day to day.

24     Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

25     For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

and he is to be feared above all gods.

26     For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

27     Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy are in his place.

28     Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

29     Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come before him!

       Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

30         tremble before him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

31     Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

32     Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!

33     Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

34     Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

35 Say also:

       “Save us, O God of our salvation,

and gather and deliver us from among the nations,

       that we may give thanks to your holy name

and glory in your praise.

36     Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting!”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

Why is this important?

1 Thess. 5:16-19 tells it all:  Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Our God is an infinite God who works continually in our lives, so there is no end to the list of thing we can thank Him for.