“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation..” —Psalm 111:1
Given the nature of the Psalms, even using the fragmented approach of these “Nuggets,” it is difficult to avoid being redundant. Nevertheless, if you are inclined to say, “He’s said that before,” remember the words of the apostle Paul to the Philippians: “…To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe [Phil. 3:1].” Repetition is one of the laws of learning. My own observation over the years has been, ‘If the Lord says a thing once, we had better remember it. If He says it twice, we had better never forget it!’
Given the nature of the Psalms, even using the fragmented approach of these “Nuggets,” it is difficult to avoid being redundant. Nevertheless, if you are inclined to say, “He’s said that before,” remember the words of the apostle Paul to the Philippians: “…To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe [Phil. 3:1].” Repetition is one of the laws of learning. My own observation over the years has been, ‘If the Lord says a thing once, we had better remember it. If He says it twice, we had better never forget it!’
Apply that, then, to the frequent exhortation to praise that occurs in this “hymn book” of the scriptures. It is important to God, and that surely not only for His glory, but for our good. We have that instruction elsewhere in the book; “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright [Ps. 33:1];” Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely [Ps. 147:1].” “Comely,” used in this way, is defined as “fitting, suitable, proper.”
There is an interesting verse we may have referred to before, which touches significantly on the subject. In a Messianic passage God pledges to give mourning Zion “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:3). Years ago a friend of mine in the Lord’s work testified of a day when she was struggling with depression and the Lord called her attention to this verse. “Convicted,” she said, “I began to praise Him for everything I could think of. As I looked about the room, I even praised him for doorknobs, because without them we could not get out of the room!” And the Lord lifted her depression and set her free. Now that is not related to the strict interpretation of the text, but at that moment was a profitable application.
The point is that, among other things, praise—true praise—is therapeutic. It has potential in both the spiritual and the emotional realm. It keeps the mind “stayed upon Jehovah,” of Whom it is said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee [Isa. 26:3],” Commanding us to praise Him, God’s motive is not self-centered, but has our welfare in view.
Wise, then, is the psalmist’s commitment; “I will praise the Lord with my whole heart.” I have another friend who has so developed the spirit of praise that you cannot speak with him for more than a few minutes before he will say, e.g., “The Lord is good; praise Him!” “Thank the Lord. Thank Him for everything!” And he will do the same thing on a difficult day as well as on a delightful one. Praise has become a habit of life with this man, and so should it be with every believer.
“With my whole heart!” Do I purpose to praise Him with my whole heart? I fear much of our praise, even when engaged in, is but half-hearted, and fails to convince the world, or even ourselves of the greatness, glory and goodness of God. This to our detriment and His dismay.
The Psalmist’s concern is not limited to his private devotion. He declares his commitment to whole hearted praise “in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” He is going to go public with his affirmation of praise to God, and so should we. In so doing we may encourage one another in this most vital spiritual exercise, strengthening faith and imparting spiritual health to the whole assembly.
A grand illustration of this is found in the strategy of king Jehoshaphat when under the assurance of the word of the Lord he sent the choir in the forefront of his army to face his enemies. “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. [II Chron, 20:20-22 my italics].”
Praise was the key to victory! May we learn to do likewise!
For His glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
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