Psalm 150 provides instruction on praising the Lord. Verse 1: Where do we praise God? "In his sanctuary" and "in his mighty heavens." We praise Him in the church and in all places we live, we lift praise to Him. Verse 2: Why do we praise Him? "[F]or his acts of power" and "for his surpassing greatness." We praise Him for the smallest and greatest things He has done, but also for the times when He has intervened in our lives without us knowing. Verse 3-5: How do we praise Him? With music and dance. We praise Him with all our gifts, our actions, our words. In all things we do, we praise Him. Verse 6: Who should praise Him? "[E]verything that has breath." All creatures praise Him. What a wonderful psalm to remind us that we should give praise to our Lord in all things, in all ways . . . It is easy to praise Him when I am on the mountaintop, but I am called to also praise Him in the dark valley, in times of despair. It is easy to praise Him for the times I recognize His work in my life, but I am called to also praise Him for the times when He is purposefully quiet or working in ways unknown to me. Dear Father: Thank you for a beautiful church in which to attend and worship and praise your name. Help me to remember to praise You not just in the fruitful seasons of my life, but also in seasons of winter and loneliness. For you truly are powerful and great, and in all seasons Your love for me is real. Amen.
Karen Hewitt said... Verses 3-5 "Praise God with trumpets and all kinds of harps. Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise God with cymbals, with clashing cymbals."
I have always loved music. As a kid, I was involved with a church musical about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I think it was called "In the Fire." I remember the main song, word for word, and I especially remember the instruments and dancing. We processed in, playing kazoos. Growing up in a staid Presbyterian church, this was pretty much unheard of. Yet I loved it, thinking, we are really praising the Lord! Music helps me to worship God. It is an offering of praise to Him.
Lord, help me to offer you music as worship. May kazoos bring you delight.
The only thought that jumped out at me is "when we are in valleys and struggling, our ability to continue to praise Him is an act of faith".
How do you get greater faith?
Praise Him during the difficult times in our lives. When I look back, it is the "trying times" where God did His greatest work on my character and spiritual development. That requires a praise - HALLELUJAH!
Lord God, would You release us to praise You? Give us grace to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Untie the bonds to fear of man and release in us the fear of the Lord. If you were standing in our sanctuary, would I fall like a dead man? As you walk to me and lift me from my fallen state, You release me to praise You with every breath. Every fiber of my being is an instrument of praise. If I stood still, hands at my side, no expression on my face, who would know? Who would know that You have raised me from the dead? Lord, grant to me grace, grace to sing, grace to raise my hands in thanksgiving and worship to You, to raise my hands to my Abba, to lift me up, to carry me..... Set my feet to dance, to bring joy to Your heart, that I am not afraid. Release me to be an instrument, part of Your heavenly symphony.....every breath, EVERY BREATH to praise You. You are worthy Lord. To You belongs all glory, honor, and praise. amen
Psalm 150...Can't you just picture all of the Who's down in Whoville marching around with their "Jing-Ting-lers", making a joyful noise? Let's make some NOISE, NOISE, NOISE for Jesus!
This Psalm made me think about the Beth Moore Bible Study A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place. Beth took us through the process of establishing the tabernacle in the wilderness and then helped us envision the outpouring of praise and adoration from faithful followers. She talks about the heart (tabernacle) being a place where God meets with us.
My prayer is simple...Get into my heart, sound the trumpets, let the bells ring, make a joyful noise that you are King!
I loved the Whoville comment. I'm a little Cindy Lou Who fan myself!
This is one of my favorite Psalms. It lets us know that worship can be joyful, loud, and energetic. Unlike some who profess that it always has to be quiet, somber and still. It can be both.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
Psalm 150 provides instruction on praising the Lord. Verse 1: Where do we praise God? "In his sanctuary" and "in his mighty heavens." We praise Him in the church and in all places we live, we lift praise to Him.
ReplyDeleteVerse 2: Why do we praise Him? "[F]or his acts of power" and "for his surpassing greatness." We praise Him for the smallest and greatest things He has done, but also for the times when He has intervened in our lives without us knowing.
Verse 3-5: How do we praise Him? With music and dance. We praise Him with all our gifts, our actions, our words. In all things we do, we praise Him.
Verse 6: Who should praise Him?
"[E]verything that has breath." All creatures praise Him.
What a wonderful psalm to remind us that we should give praise to our Lord in all things, in all ways . . . It is easy to praise Him when I am on the mountaintop, but I am called to also praise Him in the dark valley, in times of despair. It is easy to praise Him for the times I recognize His work in my life, but I am called to also praise Him for the times when He is purposefully quiet or working in ways unknown to me. Dear Father: Thank you for a beautiful church in which to attend and worship and praise your name. Help me to remember to praise You not just in the fruitful seasons of my life, but also in seasons of winter and loneliness. For you truly are powerful and great, and in all seasons Your love for me is real. Amen.
Karen Hewitt said...
ReplyDeleteVerses 3-5 "Praise God with trumpets and all kinds of harps. Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise God with cymbals, with clashing cymbals."
I have always loved music. As a kid, I was involved with a church musical about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I think it was called "In the Fire." I remember the main song, word for word, and I especially remember the instruments and dancing. We processed in, playing kazoos. Growing up in a staid Presbyterian church, this was pretty much unheard of. Yet I loved it, thinking, we are really praising the Lord! Music helps me to worship God. It is an offering of praise to Him.
Lord, help me to offer you music as worship. May kazoos bring you delight.
A Psalm of praise. Pretty simple.
ReplyDeleteThe only thought that jumped out at me is "when we are in valleys and struggling, our ability to continue to praise Him is an act of faith".
How do you get greater faith?
Praise Him during the difficult times in our lives. When I look back, it is the "trying times" where God did His greatest work on my character and spiritual development. That requires a praise - HALLELUJAH!
Lord God, would You release us to praise You? Give us grace to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Untie the bonds to fear of man and release in us the fear of the Lord. If you were standing in our sanctuary, would I fall like a dead man? As you walk to me and lift me from my fallen state, You release me to praise You with every breath. Every fiber of my being is an instrument of praise. If I stood still, hands at my side, no expression on my face, who would know? Who would know that You have raised me from the dead? Lord, grant to me grace, grace to sing, grace to raise my hands in thanksgiving and worship to You, to raise my hands to my Abba, to lift me up, to carry me..... Set my feet to dance, to bring joy to Your heart, that I am not afraid. Release me to be an instrument, part of Your heavenly symphony.....every breath, EVERY BREATH to praise You. You are worthy Lord. To You belongs all glory, honor, and praise. amen
ReplyDeletePsalm 150...Can't you just picture all of the Who's down in Whoville marching around with their "Jing-Ting-lers", making a joyful noise? Let's make some NOISE, NOISE, NOISE for Jesus!
ReplyDeleteThis Psalm made me think about the Beth Moore Bible Study A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place. Beth took us through the process of establishing the tabernacle in the wilderness and then helped us envision the outpouring of praise and adoration from faithful followers. She talks about the heart (tabernacle) being a place where God meets with us.
ReplyDeleteMy prayer is simple...Get into my heart, sound the trumpets, let the bells ring, make a joyful noise that you are King!
I loved the Whoville comment. I'm a little Cindy Lou Who fan myself!
This is one of my favorite Psalms. It lets us know that worship can be joyful, loud, and energetic. Unlike some who profess that it always has to be quiet, somber and still.
ReplyDeleteIt can be both.