Praise the Lord!

 

 

READ Psalm 146–150

The word “praise” is found 91 times in the ESV version of Psalms. The idea of praise occurs even more. Obviously, the Lord is worthy of our praise. Today’s reading gives some of the reasons:

He created all things: “heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them” and His faithfulness endures forever. (Psalm 146:6) I can trust Him to do as He pleases and keep all His promises.

He is just and righteous. He “executes justice for the oppressed” and “gives food to the hungry.” He “sets the prisoners free” particularly those who are entangled in sin! (Psalm 146:7)

The Lord “opens the eyes of the blind . . . lifts up those who are bowed down . . . loves the righteous . . . watches over the sojourners (immigrants) . . . upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” He reigns forever and is our God to all generations. (Psalm 146:8–10)

The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. (Psalm 147:2–6)

He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 147:8–11)

Our God also “strengthens the bars of our gates . . . blesses our children . . . makes peace in our borders . . . fills us with the finest of wheat . . . and sends out his command to the earth. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.” (Psalm 147:12–18)

He has “declared his word . . . his statutes and rules” to His people, not to those who do not know Him and do not know how to live godly lives. (Psalm 147:19–20)

We who do know Him can praise Him, “For he commanded and (we) were created. And he established (us) forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.” He even “raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints” or in other words, makes sure of praise returned to those who are near to Him. (Psalm 148:5–6; 14) This is because “the Lord takes pleasure in his people” and He “adorns the humble with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4)

He also honors us as we praise Him by allowing and equipping us to “execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones.” (Psalm 149:6–9) No wonder we are to “Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!” (Psalm 150:2)

Yet praise also blesses us. Yesterday’s thought is how praise is a weapon against sin and all things negative. This reading says, “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.” (Psalm 147:1) It lifts me out of my pity-parties and downcast moods. I cannot feel sad or even sin when I am praising God. For that reason, I shout the words of the psalmist in 146:1–2:

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.