Praise Ye the Lord

Background Scripture: Psalms 147-150
Lesson Scripture: Psalms 147:1-3, 6; 146:1-10

Introduction

The dictionary defines praise as “an expression of approval or admiration, of gratitude and devotion for blessings received.” The Bible mentions praise over two hundred times. Praise is not treated as an afterthought in Scripture but is presented as a vital element in our relationship with God.

Part of studying this lesson will be to ask ourselves, “Does the public expression of my life testify that I praise the Lord with my thoughts, my speech, and my walk of life? Does my countenance and how I carry myself reflect praise to God?” Or would we have to admit that genuine praise to the Lord is a little uncommon?

God is looking for people who are not negligent, afraid, or ashamed to praise Him. He alone is supremely deserving of our praise, and when He is at the center of our life, praise will spring forth as a fountain from the living waters.

Key Verse

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 (Heb. 13:15).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

In the book of Psalms, we find songs and praises that describe the full range of human emotion and attitude: praise, fear, trust, thanksgiving, faith, lamentation, and joy. In the Old Testament, there is not a more practical, instructive, or beautiful book than the Psalms, abounding in inspiration and praise to God.

The original Hebrew title of Psalms is Tehillim, which means hymns or praises. Not all the psalms are songs, but the overall theme of the book is praise to God. The lesson scripture is an ode to the Creator and Savior, the God who will never desert his people, the God of the blind, hungry, and homeless. Despite his supremacy, He is God of the meek, the One who loves the strangers and outcasts, the fatherless and widows, the broken in heart. He is a God of much patience and longsuffering but a God who will wreak havoc and vengeance upon the impenitent wicked. We should never have difficulty in finding a reason to praise God, but if we do, it is quite likely we have become self-sufficient and have a problem with simply being thankful.

Practical Truths for Today

Christian believers have come from many different cultures and customs. In some cultures, praise is effusive and outspoken; in other cultures, the disposition of praise is more reticent and reserved. The important thing is that our praise be genuine and not just a show. Praise can be the spontaneous response of a grateful child of God or the quiet hallelujah of an aged soldier of the cross who has fought the good fight and remains unbowed by the world.

Despite our differing circumstances, authentic praise to the Lord should be a daily event in our lives. Like food and water to the human body, praise to the Lord is essential to a healthy and fulfilling Christian life. Like the psalms of David, our praise to God becomes special and sweet when we recognize his perfection, his works, and his care. Heart-felt praise to God is the result of humbling ourselves. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a proud person to sincerely praise God. Godly praise is never self-centered but is rooted in trust and devotion to God.

Why is praise to the Lord so important? The significance of that question will need to settle upon our hearts. First and foremost, we praise the Lord because He is the Savior, and we have the assurance of eternal life. Can the mind ever fully grasp something so wonderful? We have every reason to praise the Lord this side of eternity with the anticipation of finding a place at the marriage supper of the Lamb of God.

Praise to God testifies of personal love and concern for the brotherhood and the world at large. God is first in my life, and what God loves, I love. God receives our praise when we place our unreserved trust and faith in Him. In a world of heartache and disruption, let us thank Him for being able to rest in the security of his grace!

Does God know us as more than just a fair-weather friend? Are we able to praise the Lord in the good times as well as in times of difficulty? Lessons will be learned in adversity that are impossible to be learned anywhere else. A daunting aspect of the Christian journey is turning our griefs and laments into praise to God during trials and difficulties. We will all face hard times, financial difficulties, seemingly hopeless medical conditions, accidents that upend our lives, and those of our loved ones who walk away from God. As trouble multiplies, our praise to God and thankfulness to Him can also abound.

How then do we praise the Lord in the middle of tribulation? One of the first things is to beg the Lord to help us rule over our own spirit. Our tendency will be to lash out in unreasonable anger and self-pity, but when our spirit is under subjection, we will be like Paul and Silas, singing in prison (Acts 16:25). Praise may be expressed in outward terms, but the spirit of praise must first emanate from the unspoken inspiration of the heart. When the spirit of praise is truly in our heart, it will be like the light produced by a sunrise—it will make its way to the surface, brightening the countenance and warming the atmosphere surrounding us.

What are some suitable expressions of congregational praise? When we open the hymn book, hardly any song is exempt from some expression of praise. Being a partaker of the discussion in Sunday school, listening and being encouraged by the message, witnessing marriage and the beginning of a godly home, lovingly laying the deceased to rest, and many other aspects of congregational fellowship are ways of honoring, worshipping, and praising God. These blessings are reason enough to praise the Lord for the institution of the church.

Much could also be said in consideration of family and personal praise. The family that prays together and sings together is a delight to God. Praise the Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit and all his attendant fruit so needful in family life today. Praise the Lord for the quiet times when we can set aside the distractions and devices that are such a part of modern life. Praise the Lord for strengthening our spiritual and mental discipline to rule over the complacency and harried lifestyle that wants to wrap its tentacles around us.

Young people, make praise to God of vital essence in your life. Together, as the younger and older, we experience the ups and downs of life, the fads that come and go, the questioning looks that come our way, and the feelings of unpopularity and not fitting in. Despite these bumps on the road, we can answer for the hope that lies within our heart. It will be the confirmation of a peaceful and quiet spirit, praising the Lord in word, song, and action—the total sum of our lives.

Questions

1. How would you respond if someone would ask, “What is the proper way to praise the Lord?”
2. How do we keep our singing to the praise and glory of God and not to the itching of the ear?
3. One of the tenets of the faith is to do everything decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40). How do we keep this injunction and yet not be too reserved when it comes to praising the Lord?
4. Should we be able to praise the Lord at least once a day and really mean it?

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).