Scripture: “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.” – Psalm 113:3
Examination of chapter: This short psalm simply praises the Lord for who He is, and for what He can do.
Application: Praising God is so natural when things are going great, but praising Him in the “not-so-great” times is not as easy, yet it is so important to do so.
Why should we praise the Lord?
Isaiah 9:6 calls God, “…Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”, andIsaiah 40:28 adds, “…the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth…” Even if the Lord never did a single thing for us, He deserves to be praised because of who He is.
What is even more amazing is that this God that Isaiah has described sacrificed Himself for all humanity so that He could have a personal relationship with us. When I stop and reflect on who the Scriptures say God really is, it is overwhelming to think of how much He loves me! How could I not praise His holy name?
When should we praise the Lord?
As the psalms tell us, we should praise the name of the Lord always.
- “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1
- “So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” – Psalm 61:8
- “Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.” – Psalm 71:8
- “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” – Psalm 145:2
How should we praise the Lord?
- With music: “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.” – Psalm 150:3-4
- With wholeheartedness: “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.” – Psalm 9:1
- Sacrificially: “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
- To everyone: “I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.” – Psalm 108:3
Psalm 145:3 tells us, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” God deserves our praise not for what He has done or can do for us, but for who He is! Praise ye the Lord!
Memory Verse: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” – Psalm 150:6
Stretching your thoughts:
1. What motivates you to praise God?
2. When was the last time you prayed without asking for anything, just simply praising the name of the Lord?
To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
(from “To God Be the Glory” by Fanny Crosby)