February 29, 2024 -- Psalm 113:1-3 -- The Command to Praise bears surprising blessing

Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
   praise the Name of the LORD!
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
   from this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
   the Name of the LORD is to be praised!
Psalm 113:1-3 ESV

By the repetition of the expression “Praise the LORD” one understands this is the great command to the people of God. It is one’s life’s duty to praise God. You see it in the life of a carpenter who is humming songs of joy to the LORD as he works his craft. You notice it in the cleaning, baking and work of a woman who rejoices to serve God as she blesses her household. Praise becomes joy because one is cultivating the glorious presence of God in every part of the day.

Praise is commanded for formal times—like the gathering in church for worship services. And praise is commanded for ordinary time. What keeps a man from sinning? If his heart is focused on God and His glorious praise—then sin is not even a distant thought. Praise is commanded for informal times, like the morning bible reading and prayer times. What a blessing accrues to those who praise God.

Praise is drawn out from the people of God through-out the day. We can’t help ourselves. The world talks about Oscars and Emmy awards, sports heroes and models—but their stretch of fame is short. When a scandal touches them their precipitous fall from grace raises dust clouds from the ash-heap of history where so many other once-famous now lay forgotten.. The LORD is from forever to forever majestic, glorious, perfect, right in all His ways. His praise begins the day and ends it. Jesus is the radiance of the Father’s glory. Jesus is the Lamb of God Who has taken our sins far from us. Jesus is the One Who rises with healing in His wings. The one who contemplates this finds that the Spirit of God causes the water of life to well up within. His praise stretches from the start of life to its earthly conclusion and then reverberates throughout eternity.

To praise the LORD is to declare His attributes so that one’s mind considers Who God Is. Thinks about what God does. The praise of God takes the reading of Scripture and moves it from merely being a box to be ticked on this day—yup, did my devotions, tick—to an exercise where one’s brain is set on the course of contemplation and wonder. If your ability to praise God, to declare His greatness is puny, then spend time listening to good preaching. Ask a Christian friend, what do you listen to in order to get encouraged in your walk with God?

To praise the Name of the LORD is to think of His reputation. His Name is tied to His deeds This is why it is so hideous when people curse with God’s Name or the Name of Jesus. The debasing of God’s Name will not be tolerated. The third commandment requires believers to honour the Name of God—it is stated: “Do not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7). Why is that commandment in the negative? I’ve often wondered this.

Yesterday I was listening to Sinclair Ferguson’s preaching (hint, hint, he is worthwhile looking up and listening to in order to grow in your understanding of God and His praise) who noted when you speak to a child you give commands in the negative. Don’t touch the stove. Don’t walk near the road. Such little ones are not capable of understanding the reasons. Until one is older, one hears “don’t touch”, “don’t do”, “don’t go”. Psalm 113 is for those who are maturing. It is a positive command—expecting that those who read it are mature enough to heed it and follow through.

O LORD OUR GOD, great, eternal, wonderful in glory, Who keeps covenant and promise for those that love Him, with their whole heart, Who Is the life of all, the help of those that flee to Him, the hope of those that cry unto Him; cleanse us from our sins, and from every thought displeasing to Your goodness. Cleanse our souls and bodies, our hearts and consciences, that with pure heart and clear mind, with perfect love and calm hope, we may confidently and fearlessly pray to You; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Divine Service Book. “A Treasury of Devotion”, Copyright 1950, page 9.

https://youtu.be/eWcy4O7HIro?si=DBNoxteRbLQBYbRA Bless the Lord— Psalm 103

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