Date - June 16/60

Contributor - R. Van Farowe

Title - Praise The Lord

Topic - Meditation

Psalm 148:1

Each Sunday we sing in our churches the words of the Doxology,

"Praise God from Whom all. blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below,

Praise Him above, ye heavenly - host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

The bible, especially the psalms, tell us much about the duty ana blessings of PRAISE. Just read any of the last four psalms, and you will really be impressed with the repeated emphasis of that word PRAISE.

Always we are told to praise God. Some of the reasons which the bible gives why we ought o praise God will show us that it is the Christian's duty and joy to do it.

There is, first, the reason of the goodness of God. Psalm 136 : 1 says, "O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good...". How good God has been to each of us, perhaps to one in a different way than to another, and yet to each of us in a personal way. Also, to us as immigrants in a strange land. Both in Gezang 136, and in the English hymn, we are told To

"Praise ye the Lord, who with marvelous wisdom hath made thee!

Decked thee with health, and with loving hand guided and stayed thee;"

Other reasons the bible gives for praising God are His righteous reign, and our dependence on Him in all things. Yes, there is a large place which praise must have in our lives. Add to this the reason that the Christian has the song of redemption, the new song which he sings. That is, not only are we to praise God our Creator, but the Christian has an added reason for praise as stated in Psalm 33 : 3, and 98 : 1, "sing unto the Lord a new song". God sets music ringing in our souls when we return to God in confession and repentance. Chords that were broken vibrate once more. The gift of our salvation through Christ calls for praise.

Praise does something for Christians. When we praise God it often helps to prevent sin and yielding to temptation. David said "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee". We may be sure that part of that ord was praise to God. Praising God also helps stop our criticism of the mote that is our brother's eye. We will not notice so many faults in other Christians when we look upon the vast depth of grace God has shown in blessing us.

Yes, when we praise God He will give us special strength and victory. in 2 Chronicles 20 : 22 we read, "When they began to sing and to praise (Judah) the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab - which were come against Judah." Many Christians would feel God to be much closer to them, and receive more joy in His service, and have more victory over sin, if they would sincerely praise God.

A very good place to praise God is in our church services. Prayer and praise services are usually a large part of the worship. We are to "praise God in his sanctuary" (Psalm 150 : 1). The church building or sanctuary is the special place where God meets with His people. The praises of God which ascend from our churches in Canada, in both the Dutch and English languages, yes in any language, are well pleasing to Him. Acts 2 : 47 says that the early church "praised God, had favor with the people, and the Lord added to the church.. . "

Once there was a child on the top of a high mountain, with her father. They were above the clouds, and a thunderstorm flashed and rumbled below. However all was calm where they stood, under the blue of heaven, and with a few rocks around them. "Well Lucy," said the father, "there is nothing to be seen here, is there?' "Oh," she said, "I see the doxology". All around seemed to say, "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow". We see what we look for, even in the storms of life.

Do we praise or do we complain? Do we look at the riches which others may have, and fail to praise God for our own relationship to Him? Do you have the "new song" in your heart, and on your lips?

One of the things we will do in heaven is praise the Lord. Rev. 5 11. Let us also learn to do it on earth.