by Janine Mick Wills
Which of us does not enjoy a pat on the back for a job well done or a word of praise for something we’ve accomplished? However, there is only One Who is worthy of ALL praise, honor, and glory… the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:12).
“Praise Ye the Lord” can be found 24 times in the Bible (KJV). Once in the book of Judges, once in the book of Jeremiah, and most notably twenty-three times in the Psalms.
Praising God is not a suggestion. It is a command, so let’s break it down from the standpoint of a writer and a Christian.
A Writer
Praise – a verb
Ye –subject
The – definite article
Lord – direct object
A Christian
Praise – an act of worship
Ye – you (specifically the one reading the command)
The – the one and only God
Lord – our Creator, Savior, and God
Now, let’s go further and break down Psalm 150, the climactic finish to the book of Psalms.
It is assumed David authored this Psalm as his exhortation to praise the Lord punctuates many of the other Psalms he wrote. Charles Spurgeon poetically said of Psalm 150, “We have now reached the last summit of the mountain chain of Psalms. It rises high into the clear azure, and its brow is bathed in the sunlight of the eternal world of worship.”
Psalm 150
Verse 1 – Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
This verse is personal (Praise ye the LORD) and all-encompassing (Praise him in the firmament). From the smallest to the greatest, all are admonished to praise the only One Who is truly worthy of such adulation and worship.
“His sanctuary” could imply the Tabernacle where the glory of God dwelt before the building of the Temple. In application, it can mean the temple of our heart wherein the Holy Spirit of God resides in each blood-bought child of God (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). (If you are not sure you are God’s child, please see “Will You Be in Heaven?”)
Verse 2 – Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
We should praise our heavenly Father for all He has done and because He is a great God. He not only created us, but He also redeemed us. What a mighty God we serve!
Verse 3 – 5 – Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
We should praise God with our voices and upon musical instruments. As each instrument is added to the praise chorus, the noise becomes louder and more magnificent. It’s as though the sound of praise fills the whole world.
As writers, we should also praise Him with our words and use them to bring others into His glorious presence. Each writer’s circle of influence can make an impact
Verse 6 – Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
In this verse, the Psalmist instructs every creature with the breath of life to breathe back praise to the Lord.
As a multitude of angels praised God at the birth of His Son, we who know Him and especially writers whom He has gifted should continue that chorus of excellent praise.
“Praise Him! Praise Him!
(Fanny Crosby, 1869)
Praise him! Praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O earth – his wonderful love proclaim!
Hail him! Hail him! Highest archangels in glory.
Strength and honor give to his holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard his children –
In his arms he carries them all day long:
Refrain:
Praise him! Praise him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise him! Praise him! Ever in joyful song!
Praise him! Praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins he suffered and bled and died;
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail him! Hail him! Jesus the Crucified!
Sound his praises -Jesus who bore our sorrows-
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong: (Refrain)
Praise him! Praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus Savior, reigneth for ever and ever,
Crown him! Crown him! Prophet and Priest and King!
Christ is coming, over the world victorious-
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong: (Refrain)
Leslie
9 Apr 2019I have Psalm 150 as one of the verse selections for the “praise” portion of my prayer time each day. Thank you for sharing this!
admin
9 Apr 2019It is one of my favorites, especially verse 150 (Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD). Our God is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory! And thanks for stopping by!