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Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever (Psalm 145:2, ESV).
The word “praise” is found 150 times in the 150 Psalms in the Old Testament.
The words “psalm” and “song” can be used interchangeably, with all the Psalms set to music, though we no longer know what that music sounded like. We do know they emphasized praise that was meant to be sung corporately.
Words, music, and a corporate setting form a significant “thread” in the Psalms that explains the worship style of the ancient Israelites.
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! (Psalm 95:1).
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! (Psalm 150:3-4).
I’ve concluded, from reading the 150 Psalms of the Bible over and over through 54 years of following Jesus, that the full impact of praise in our lives can only come through singing and worshipping together.
C.S. Lewis describes the praise of Psalms in his book, Reflections on the Psalms, as “inner health made audible.” Many times, I’ve sat down after worship, feeling my burdens lifted by praising a God larger than my problems, by replacing my downtrodden attitudes with the renewed strength of His greatness.
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).
In the Psalms, praise becomes so effusive that it can seem embarrassingly impractical. Why do we make a joyful noise (Psalm 100:1)? Who can praise Him seven times a day (Psalm 119:164)? Why are we encouraged to praise God continually in every circumstance (Psalm 34:1)?
Praise overwhelms inhibiting decorum, allowing freedom of expression. We see a glimmer of Biblical praise when we go to a football stadium, stand up to shout, high-five others sitting close by, and make fools ourselves with complete strangers.
There’s something in our created being that must cheer, that must praise. We are made to glorify God.
It’s why we scream at our favorite teams, enjoy our children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities, complement one another, and even desire the appreciation of others in our endeavors. Biblical praise goes beyond superficial fan appreciation to enabling our approach to a living God, the lifting of earthly and fleshly limits to an exaltation of possibility in. . .
A God who regularly exceeds our wildest imaginations!
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3).
Amen. Peace out!
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation (Psalm 111:1)