Psalm 117:1-2 "O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. (2) For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD."
Years ago, a preacher friend of mine felt like the congregation was not
listening to his messages. He decided to preach the same sermon until someone
noticed. After preaching that same message for four Sundays, a man came up to
him and said, "Preacher, I think that is the best sermon I've ever
heard." He replied, "I'm glad someone finally heard it."
In that vein of thought, I believe this is the third time that I have tried to
write devotions on the book of the Psalms and this is the first time that I
have actually noticed the vast number of times that we are told to "Praise
the Lord." I think I can hear the Lord saying to me, "I'm glad you
finally heard it."
The original word for praise means to to be clear in sound, to shine, to make a
show; to boast; and thus to clamor, or rave in celebration. In other words, we
are to be boisterous in our adoration and commitment to the Lord. I used
to shout so loud at ballgames that my voice would be hoarse the next day. I
would yell at the top of my voice. Now, I'm not saying we need to yell, but I
do believe that we should be bold in talking about the goodness of God. He is
so good to us! Can we agree on that? Praise is a very important aspect of our
walk with Jesus Christ. We know that we are saved by grace and not by our
works, lest any man should boast. But let me remind myself that those words are
speaking of self-boasting. We have every right to boast in the work of our
Lord. Paul said, "God forbid that I should boast, save in the cross of my
Lord Jesus Christ." So it's okay to be clear in sound, to shine, to
make a show; to boast; and thus to clamor, or rave in celebration concerning
the finished work of redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ..
O For A Thousand Tongues by Charles Wesley
1 O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
2 My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,
to spread thro' all the earth abroad the honors of your name.
3 Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease,
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.