Praise and Thanksgiving

Children singing and playing music, illustration of Psalm 150 (Laudate Dominum). Panel decorating the cantoria (singers' gallery), a balcony for the 1438' organ of the Duomo. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence, Italy. Marble. (Wikipedia)

Isaiah 12:1-6: (1) Praise. (2) Give thanks, call on his name. (3) Sing. Note the missionary nature of this passage related to praise. Praise points out the person, work, and excellence of God (Psalm 48:1; 50:23; 53:6; 148:13; 149:3; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-14).

With hearts and mouths: Praise is our work as believer priests (1 Peter 2:9) who praise God from our whole, cleansed hearts (Psalm 108:1; 111:1; 119:7; Isaiah 61:11), and out of the depths of our whole being (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31). We praise him with our mouths (Psalm 145:21), with singing lips (Psalm 63:5; Ezra 3:11), with shouts of joy (Luke 19:37), and instruments (Psalm 9:11; 33:2; 98:6; 71:22; 147:7; 149:3; 150:4, 5).

Sound theology leads to great doxology (praise): Romans 11:33-36. No remedy is more effective for a cold heart than the privilege of praise and thanksgiving. Charles Spurgeon said he praised the Lord at two times – when he felt like it and when he didn’t.

The first instance of praise in the Bible is Genesis 14:20. It prefigures Christ and prophesies the spiritual defeat of his enemies. The last instance of praise in the Bible is Revelation 19:1-7. It celebrates Christ and praises him as the victorious Judge and Ruler.

Praise and God’s Presence

• He inhabits praise: Psalm 22:3
• Praise gives access into His presence: Psalm 100:4
• Praise prepares the way of the Lord: Psalm 50:23

Praise and Spiritual Warfare

• God releases power to defeat His enemies: 2 Chronicles 20:20-22
• Praise silences the enemy: Psalm 8:1-2
• Praise executes written judgments against spiritual rulers: Psalm 149:6-9
• There is healing power in praise: Isaiah 61:3

Do you feel spiritually dry, cold, or at a stalemate? Praise! Are you under a heavy cloud? Praise! Are you being squeezed by stress and demands? Praise! Are you under attack? Praise! God’s lovingkindness has not forsaken you. Psalm 63:3-5. Through the miracle of praise God will supply your need (Numbers 21:17).

Sit before the Lord and ask Him how He would like for you to tell Him that there is none like Him, that you love him more dearly than anyone else on earth, that you prize him above all other things in this world, that you are eternally grateful for all He has done for you. Are you under a heavy cloud?