Praise
Praise
INTRODUCTION Notes taken from Mr. Earl Bittenbender and the New Topical Text Book.
What is the most important thing in life? To earn a living? To get saved and go to heaven? To serve God? I believe the answer is to praise God. The shorter catechism’s first question is, "What Is the chief end of man?", with this answer: "Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."
Isaiah 43:7, "Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory." Created to praise and glorify the Lord day by day. Our life should be a song of praise to the glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" Is praising God a selfish desire on God’s part? Certainly not. Praise was the purpose for which He created us. We ought to voluntarily give praise daily.
THE MEANING OF PRAISE
Dictionary: To bestow approval upon; to honour; to worship; to glorify; commendation. The Hebrew word "Yadah" means, "To stretch out the hand," and is translated "praise." That is, to hold out the hands in reverence, to open the hands and let go of everything, just stand and praise God open-handedly. Our problem is to let go of things, to let go of our problems and service and give ourselves to praising the Lord.
We only praise something that we honour and prize highly. If we hold the Lord in the highest state of respect and admiration it will be easy to praise Him.
PRAISE IS OBLIGATORY
Upon angels. Psalms 103:20, "Bless the Lord, ye His angels." See also Psalms 148:2.
Upon saints. Psalms 30:4, "Sing unto the Lord, 0 ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." Psalms 149:5, "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds."
Upon nations. Psalms 117:1, "0 praise the Lord, all ye nations : praise Him, all ye people.?
Upon children. Matthew 21:16, "... out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise." See also Psalms 8:2.
Upon high and low. Psalms 148:11, "’Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth. " .
Upon young and old Psalms 148:12, "Both young men and maidens; old men, and children. "
Upon all creation. Psalms 150:6, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." Psalms 148:1-10, God gets praise from: the heavens, the heights, angels, hosts, sun, moon, stars, the earth, dragons, deeps, fire, hail, snow, vapours, stormy winds, hills, mountains, fruit trees, cedar trees, beasts, cattle, creeping things and birds.
THE REASONS WHY WE PRAISE THE LORD
Because of God’s majesty. Isaiah 24:14, "They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty or the Lord"
Because of God’s glory. Psalms 138:5, "Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory. of the Lord."
Because of God’s excellency. Psalms 148:13, "Let them praise the Name of the Lord: for His Name alone is excellent"
Because of God’s greatness. Psalms 145:3, "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.?
Because of the Lord’s holiness. Exodus 15:11, "Who is like unto Thee, 0 Lord... who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praise, doing wonders?"
Because of God’s wisdom. Daniel 2:20, "Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His." .
Because of God’s power. Psalms 21:13, "Be Thou exalted, Lord, in Thine own strength: so will we sing and praise Thy power.?
Because of God’s goodness. Psalms 107:8; Psalms 107:15; Psalms 107:21; Psalms 107:31. "Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness." This is important for it is repeated four times.
Because of God’s mercy. 2 Chronicles 20:21. "Praise the Lord: for His mercy endureth forever." We are saved through His mercy.
Because of God’s loving-kindness and truth. Psalms 138:2, ?...and praise Thy Name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth."
Because of God’s faithfulness and truth, Isaiah 25:1, "0 Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy Name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."
Because He has provided salvation. Luke 1:68-69, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people and hath raised up a horn of salvation."
Because of God’s wonderful works. Psalms 150:2, “Praise Him for His mighty acts." See also Psalms 107:8; Psalms 107:15; Psalms 107:21; Psalms 107:31. These works include creation, redemption, consolation, just judgment, true counsel, keeping His promises, pardon of sin, spiritual health, constant preservation, protection, answered prayer, the hope of glory, all physical, material and spiritual blessings.
HOW TO PRAISE THE LORD
With the understanding. Psalms 47:7, "... sing ye praises with understanding." 1 Corinthians 14:15. .
With the soul. Psalms 103:1, "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me.”
With the whole heart. Psalms 9:1, "I will praise Thee, 0 Lord, with my whole heart. "
With the lips, Psalms 63:3, "... my lips shall praise Thee." Psalms 119:171.
With the mouth. Psalms 51:15, "... my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise."
With joy. Psalms 63:5, "... my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips."
With gladness, 2 Chronicles 29:30, "And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped." Not mere mechanical praise, but joyful, heartfelt praise.
With thankfulness. Psalms 147:7, "Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving,"
Continually. Psalms 71:6, "My praise shall be continually of Thee."
To the end of life. Psalms 104:33, "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live."
More and more. Psalms 71:14, "But I will hope continually and will yet praise Thee more and more." The longer we live, more and more praiseworthy things come to us.
Day by day. 2 Chronicles 30:21, "... and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord."
SOME THINGS FOR WHICH TO PRAISE THE LORD
We should praise the Lord in sickness, in adversity and in health and prosperity.
We should praise the Lord for anything and everything, Php 4:6. The true Christian is one who can trust arid praise the Lord even through blinding tears. It is enough to know that God plans and doeth all things well. Romans 8:28.
CONCLUSION
Perhaps we realize that we have not praised enough. Pray that God will teach us to praise Him much more in the future, beginning today. Psalms 51:15, "0 Lord, open Thou my lips." Cause me to praise Thee more and more.
Praise is the precious privilege of every born again believer in Jesus Christ.
Sing a great deal. This is one good way to praise the Lord.
If people praise us for our accomplishments, let us be sure to pass the praise to HIM.
It is easy to praise one who is truly worthy of praise, and Jesus is worthy, Revelation 5:9.
It is easier for God to get money or service than praise from His children.
Praise is an attitude of the heart. 1 Corinthians 10:31, Whatsoever we do--do for His glory.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What is the chief end of man?
What is the basic meaning of the Hebrew word, "yadah"?
List 7 classes of people upon whom praise is obligatory.
To what extent is praise optional?
Mention ten things about God that we should praise.
What are the two basic works of God for which we should praise Him?
Name five parts of the body that should be utilized in praising God.
List two handmaidens of praise.
Is it true that praise reaches a crescendo at conversion and then tapers off? Explain.
Is this statement good or bad, "My child is sick-praise the Lord" ? Explain.