"Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp." (Psalm 150:3)
"Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, [even] I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel." (Judges 5:3)
The word praise is used 261 times in the scriptures -- 234 in the old testament and 27 in the new testament. Interestingly, praise is used 110 times alone in the book of Psalms, wherein David praises the Lord in all things. It's no wonder the Lord said that David was a man after His own heart.
"Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, [even] I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel." (Judges 5:3)
The word praise is used 261 times in the scriptures -- 234 in the old testament and 27 in the new testament. Interestingly, praise is used 110 times alone in the book of Psalms, wherein David praises the Lord in all things. It's no wonder the Lord said that David was a man after His own heart.
Today, the scriptures presented herein will primarily focus on praise and praising the Lord our God from the new testament perspective. The most notable is when the children crying in the temple understood who Jesus was -- much to the chagrin of the chief priests and scribes. Do we know who Jesus is -- as both Lord and Christ, as we understand from Acts 2:36? But perhaps, that is a topic for another day. For now, here are some scriptures to reflect upon regarding praise for the Lord our God - whose name, in this current dispensation of grace is Jesus.
"And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that [Jesus] did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David" ... they were sore displeased, and said unto Him, "Hear Thou what these say?" And Jesus saith unto them, "Yea; have ye never read, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise?" And He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and He lodged there." (Matthew 21:15-17)
"And as He went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, "Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." (Luke 19:36-38)
In a different place, John the baptizer's father could finally speak again, after his mouth had been sealed shut. What was the first thing Zacharias did? "And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God." (Luke 1:64)
In another example, the multitudes of people praised God, for His goodness and grace and mercy toward the blind man. This example is found in Luke 18:35-43:
"And it came to pass, that as He was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passes by. And he cried, saying, "Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me."
"And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that [Jesus] did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David" ... they were sore displeased, and said unto Him, "Hear Thou what these say?" And Jesus saith unto them, "Yea; have ye never read, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise?" And He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and He lodged there." (Matthew 21:15-17)
"And as He went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, "Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." (Luke 19:36-38)
In a different place, John the baptizer's father could finally speak again, after his mouth had been sealed shut. What was the first thing Zacharias did? "And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God." (Luke 1:64)
In another example, the multitudes of people praised God, for His goodness and grace and mercy toward the blind man. This example is found in Luke 18:35-43:
"And it came to pass, that as He was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passes by. And he cried, saying, "Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me."
And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, He asked him, saying, "What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?" And he said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." And Jesus said unto him, "Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.: And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God." (Luke 18:35-43)
In yet another scripture, "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, "he that believes on Me, believes not on Me, but on Him that sent Me." (John 12:42-44)
In the prison, "... at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed." (Acts 16:24-26)
Thus, the question beckons -- why is praise important? I believe Peter provides some insight within his first epistle.
"... that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ ..." (I Peter 1:7)
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light ..." (I Peter 2:9)
" ....or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well." (I Peter 2:14)
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. amen." (I Peter 4:11)
"For both He that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren saying, "I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." (Hebrews 2:12)
In yet another scripture, "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, "he that believes on Me, believes not on Me, but on Him that sent Me." (John 12:42-44)
In the prison, "... at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed." (Acts 16:24-26)
Thus, the question beckons -- why is praise important? I believe Peter provides some insight within his first epistle.
"... that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ ..." (I Peter 1:7)
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light ..." (I Peter 2:9)
" ....or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well." (I Peter 2:14)
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. amen." (I Peter 4:11)
"For both He that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren saying, "I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." (Hebrews 2:12)
"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." (Hebrews 13:15)
Paul confirms the importance of praise in Romans, I and II Corinthians, Ephesians and Philiippians:
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." (I Corinthians 4:5)
"Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you." (I Corinthians 11:2)
" ... but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Romans 2:29)
"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:" (Romans 13:3)
"Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you." (I Corinthians 11:2)
" ... but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Romans 2:29)
"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:" (Romans 13:3)
"And again, "Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud Him, all ye people. (Romans 15:11)
"For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind ..." (II Corinthians 8:17-19)
" ... to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:6)
" ... that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ ... which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:12-14)
"... being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:11)
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Stand in the offering plate.
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