January 29, 2022 -- Psalm 66:1-4 -- Praise! Worship! Adore! Honour and Bless!

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
2 sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.” Selah
Psalm 66:1-4 ESV

What a glorious summons to praise! Yesterday I was listening to a sermon given by Alistair Begg, who noted something to the effect that praise dispels gloom. Praise takes the believer from self-centredness. Singing out to God and worshiping Him requires one to put down his selfie-stick and behold Him Who is Wondrous. Begg's reference to the selfie-stick got his audience laughing...but Begg was serious. The world is so self-focused.

As one who struggles against depression, some days the dark cloud seems to cover everything, I do know the power of praise. Years ago one of my doctors suggested that I recite reasons for thankfulness, because thanksgiving and depression can’t co-exist. What a beautiful truth this has proved to be in my own life.

No doubt a hundred excuses can flood your mind; lame and oft-repeated ones like: I don’t feel like praising. I don’t feel like giving thanks. I laughed at what a friend posted this morning, it was a meme: Every morning 2-year Jenny cries “Help! I’m awake!”. I am smiling to myself even as I type this. Isn’t that so like us as adults—our inner child is shrieking against the morning especially as we think of all the things we need to do. I don’t want to walk to work in the cold. I don’t want to be nice to that family member. Interestingly enough, we do the things we protest against because: we are adults, we know these are important things for us to carry out, and once we start a project, the momentum of beginning gets us through.

God is worthy of praise. He is glorious beyond description. I am speaking to you, adults, you who are wrapped up in countless unacknowledged blessings, urging you to push through the inertia! In spite of yourself begin to praise Him. You’ll find the Spirit will lift you up so that what began as forced effort soon becomes easy, delighted, soul-refreshing songs which pour out of your heart.

Complaints make the problems seem bigger. Murmuring focuses on what is wrong. Banish complaining and mutterings. Instead, name the attributes of God the Triune. Naming the attributes of God, like love, justice, faithfulness, and the fact He is all-powerful—just to barely scratch the surface of His immense awesomeness—puts your problems into their proper perspective. The LORD of All the Earth is bigger than all your problems. The One Who Keeps Your Soul among the Living is forever blessed and honoured and the highest desire of the heart. Praising the LORD of the Cosmos reminds you life here on earth is so short, and it is to be lived in view of the grand purpose of our existence which is to know Him and glorify Him. Such praises and singing out in glorifying Him you are being prepared for the adventures and blessings and never-ending joy of eternity. No wonder the psalm-writer proclaimed:
Shout for joy to God, all the earth:
   sing the glory of His Name;
   to to Him glorious praise! Psalm 66:1-2

The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
   He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The LORD is great in Zion;
   He is exalted over all the peoples.
Let them praise Your great and awesome Name!
   Holy is He!
The King in His might loves justice.
   You have executed equity;
You have executed justice
    and righteousness in Jacob.
Exalt the LORD our God;
   worship at His footstool!
   Holy is He!
Psalm 99:1-5

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