Why Praise?
“Worship is not only doing what pleases God, but also being pleased with what God does.” – Jeremiah Burroughs
I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. …. the delight is incomplete till it is expressed. -C.S Lewis
Of praise and thanksgiving
Psalm 35:18
I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you.
Psalm 69:30
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Luke 17:15-16
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
Psalm 75 – Praise and Thanksgiving
- Book III
- Asaph
- Do not destroy (Tune for Psalm 57, 58, 59)
- Connection to Psalm 74?
Psalm 75 (ESV)
1 We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.
2 “At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars.
Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”
6 For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs.
9 But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
The Reasons for Praise and Thanksgiving
- God’s name is near and His deeds wondrous
- God will judge with equity
- God’s steady providence
Posture of Praise and Thanksgiving
Godward orientation
6 For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
Live by faith, not by sight
v2 “At the set time that I appoint, I will judge with equity.”
Humility
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”
Proverbs 16:5
The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 18:2
Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.
James 4:2
“God opposes the proud, but shows favour to the humble.”
Luke 1:52-55
46 “My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed
Our Praise and Thanksgiving amplified in Christ
- Jesus drank the cup of wrath
- Jesus was forsaken and judged
- Jesus came to dwell among us
- Jesus promised new creation
Perfect humility
Philippians 2:6-8
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Perfect unity
John 5:19
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
Perfect faith
Hebrews 12:2
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Will you praise God?
