AN EXHORTATION TO PRAISE GOD
[Psalms:33:1-22 [1] Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. [2] Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. [3] Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. [4] For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. [5] He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. [6] By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. [7] He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. [8] Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. [9] For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. [10] The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. [11] The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. [12] Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. [13] The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. [14] From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. [15] He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. [16] There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. [17] An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. [18] Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; [19] To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. [20] Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. [21] For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. [22] Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. ].
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High" (Psalm 92:1).
I. The Praise of God Our Duty and Privilege
1. The worship and praise of God is the privilege as well as the duty of the righteous, [Psalms:33:1Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
].
2. In addition we are to praise Him with musical instruments, [Psalms:33:2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
]; [Psalms:150:1-6 [1] Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
[2] Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
[3] Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
[4] Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
[5] Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
[6] Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
].
3. We are also to sing praises to Him, [Psalms:33:3Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
]; [Psalms:149:1-9 [1] Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
[2] Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
[3] Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
[4] For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
[5] Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
[6] Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
[7] To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
[8] To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
[9] To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
]; [Ephesians:5:19-20 [19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
[20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
]; [Colossians:3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
].
II Some Reasons for Our Praise of God as Demonstrated in the Past
1. We should praise Him for His powerful Word as manifested in the creation, [Psalms:33:4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
], [Psalms:33:6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
], [Psalms:33:8-9 [8] Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
[9] For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
]; [Psalms:148:1-6 [1] Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
[2] Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
[3] Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
[4] Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
[5] Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
[6] He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
].
2. We should praise Him for the wonderful works He has performed for our benefit, [Psalms:33:4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
], [Psalms:33:6-7 [6] By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
[7] He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
], [Psalms:33:9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
]; [Psalms:148:7-14 [7] Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
[8] Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
[9] Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
[10] Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
[11] Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
[12] Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
[13] Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
[14] He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
], [Isaiah:12:1-6 [1] And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
[2] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
[3] Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
[4] And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
[5] Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
[6] Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
].
3. We should praise Him for His truth, righteousness, and goodness -- eternal attributes revealed to us by His dealing with men, [Psalms:33:4-5 [4] For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
[5] He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
].
4. We should praise Him for His righteous judgments, demonstrated in His attitude toward the heathen, [Psalms:33:5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
], [Psalms:33:8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
], [Psalms:33:10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
]; [Romans:1:19-21 [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
].
5. We should praise Him for His infinite wisdom and love, evidenced by His concern for the welfare of all men, [Psalms:33:4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
], [Psalms:33:8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
], [Psalms:33:10-11 [10] The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
[11] The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
]; [Romans:11:33-36 [33] O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
[34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
[35] Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
[36] For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
].
III Some Present Reasons for Our Praise of God
1. He is mindful of and extends His blessing to those that love and honour Him, [Psalms:33:12-15 [12] Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
[13] The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
[14] From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
[15] He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
].
2. The strength of men is only weakness, [Psalms:33:16-17 [16] There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
[17] An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
]; [Psalms:20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
]; [Psalms:118:8-9 [8] It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
[9] It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
].
3. God's love is manifested by His provision for our daily spiritual and physical needs, [Psalms:33:18-19 [18] Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
[19] To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
]; [Luke:12:22-31 [22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
[23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
[24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
[25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
[26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
[27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
[28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
[29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
[30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
]; [John:3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
]; [Romans:8:38-39 [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
].
4. The benediction: Our utter dependence upon God, [Psalms:33:20-22 [20] Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
[21] For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
[22] Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
]; [Jude:1:24-25 [24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
[25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
].
Our memory verse states that it is a "good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises" to the name of the most High. The text of our lesson opens with a commandment to all Christian people, that they should rejoice in the Lord and praise Him in every possible way. So we see, from these passages, that praise is not to be an irregular, haphazard, or casual thing, but should be a constant, ever-present part of our daily life, and most certainly a part of our public worship of God.
This wonderful Psalm is so clearly written, and so thoroughly covers the subject of praise, that little needs to be written to guide the reader into its depths and riches. The Holy Spirit through the agency of the writer, is seeking to show us that the praise of God is not only the privilege of a Christian, but his duty as well, since it is expressly commanded by God Himself. Christ came to put praise in our hearts, for we read in Isaiah:61:3 that one object of His mission to earth was to give "beauty far ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" that we might be called "trees of righteousness."
We see, in our study of this gem from the treasure-book of the Psalms, that every method known to man is to be used in our praise of God. The Bible elsewhere tells us that the forces of nature praise Him, and that the sun, moon, stars, and the heavens themselves worship and praise their Creator. The Bible opens with what is called the "Creation Hymn," and Job speaks of the morning stars singing together at the dawn of creation. We can also read an account in Revelation describing a grand chorus of ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, that sing around the throne of God. In Heaven everybody will sing!
But we do not have to wait until we get to Heaven to enjoy this soul-inspiring experience. The Psalms were originally written to be sung, and even in their translations retain a poetic beauty that excels the rarest literary gems of secular writing. Moses taught the Children of Israel to sing; and one of their judges, Deborah, praised God in an immortal song of victory. David was an excellent musician, for he played in the court of the king; and we understand that he sang the praises of God with all his heart.
In Bible times they had many instruments of music, not as mechanically perfect as ours today, perhaps, but nevertheless capable of producing sweet music and vibrant strains of melody. There were many varieties of stringed and brass instruments, among them being the harp, psaltery, flute, pipe, horn and trumpet; and in addition they had drums, timbrel, and cymbals, which are percussion instruments designed to be struck or beaten. The Psalmist David used all of these in his orchestra, which we are told numbered 4,000, that he might render effective praise to the Lord ([1 Chronicles:23:5Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith. ]).
Jesus quoted the Psalms freely and referred to them many times and said that many of the things written in them were about Him. Those Psalms that especially tell of Christ's coming to earth we call the Messianic Psalms. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn after they had partaken of the Lord's Supper, before they went to the garden where Jesus was to be betrayed. Even His dying words, while on the cross, were quotations from those wonderful writings.
After Jesus ascended we find the church still praising God in this manner. Primitive Christians, in their makeshift places of worship -- many times dens and caves secluded from the observation of the non Christians because of the intense persecution of those days -- continued to praise God in song and spoken words of praise. In his writings the Apostle Paul told the early church -- and us also -- that all Christians should speak to each other in the praise of God by the medium of "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Then, as the worship of God became more universal, and on down through the Dark Ages -- with the error and darkness of those spiritually benighted days -- Christians have fed their faith and warmed their love with these consoling songs.
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High" Let us not forget the admonition of this verse or the stirring phrases of the text of our lesson which are written to show us the way to a godly life on earth and the preparation for a life in Heaven, where we shall spend all eternity in worship and praise of the One Who bought us with His own blood and redeemed us from the hand of the enemy.
1. Are we under any obligation to praise God?
2. In what ways did the early Christians praise God?
3. The Psalms were originally written for what purpose?
4. For what are we to praise God?
5. If we are faithful in our praise to God, what can we expect in return?
6. Who wrote most of the Psalms?
7. What is the first "hymn" in the Bible?
8. How many people are to be in the great chorus that sings praises around the Throne of God?
9. What name has been given to the Psalms that prophesy of Jesus?
10. How can we praise God?
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