HOW SHOULD OUR PRAISE BE?

Psalm 117

Introduction: This Psalm starts out with that great exclamation of excitement- “O”. It is a positive note. It is not a cry of disappointment. It shouts out to the reader- let me have your attention. It could be seen like a horn calling the troops together. It is surrounded with praise. It is like what we call Jesus at times. Our praise should like Alpha and Omega. Our praise should be like A to Z.

Praise in this passage takes in both who our Lord is as well what He has done. One without the other is lopsided.

I. THE COMMAND FOR OUR PRAISE

Vs. 1

“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.”

This is an unusual Psalm. It commands every one and everywhere to praise the Lord. This is an appeal to the Gentiles to glorify Jehovah, and a clear proof that the Old Testament spirit differed widely from that narrow and contracted national bigotry with which the Jews of our Lord's day became so deep-rooted diseased.

This command to praise is just practice for eternity. The occupation of heaven is praise. Spurgeon said this in regards to praise. “Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song.” What don’t we get started in the here and now instead of waiting for eternity.

Why should praise the Lord? I will not have the time to explore this today but I wanted to throw it out there so you and I can ponder on what is called in the Bible. It is called the fruit of our lips, voice of praise, triumph, and melody. It is our garment and sacrifices of praise and of joy.

I said it is a command. If the Bible tells us something, it is important. All that the Lord gives through His Word is always important. But there are some places when our Lord tells us something twice through His Word. In a few places we find the Lord speaking to us through His Word three times. But as far as I know, there is only one command given four times in just a few passages. Turn with me to Psalm 107.

Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, and 31

“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

We should follow this command as we do all God’s command.

John 14:15

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

THE CENTER OF OUR PRAISE

Vs. 1

“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.”

Why should He be the center of His praise? Let me give you a few reasons. He should be the center of our praise because of His majesty. He should be the center of our praise because of His glory. He should be the center of our praise because of His Excellency. He should be the center of our praise because of His greatness. He should be the center of our praise because of His holiness. He should be the center of our praise because of His wisdom. He should be the center of our praise because of His power. He should be the center of our praise because of His goodness. He should be the center of our praise because of His mercy. He should be the center of our praise because of His salvation He gave unto us. He should be the center of our praise because of His wonderful works. He should be the center of our praise because of His comfort. He should be the center of our praise because of His judgment. He should be the center of our praise because of His counsel. He should be the center of our praise because of His fulfilling of His promises. He should be the center of our praise because of His Pardon of sin. He should be the center of our praise because of His Deliverance. He should be the center of our praise because of His Protection. He should be the center of our praise because of His Answering of our prayer. He should be the center of our praise because of He is our hope of glory.

THE CONTENTS FOR OUR PRAISE

Vs. 2

“For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”

There are two truths here that show the content for our praise.

His merciful kindness is the first reason. This speaks of His love. In God’s kindness there is mercy, because our sin deserves the reverse of kindness. If we got what we deserve, we would have all gone to hell.

In God’s kindness there is mercy, because our weakness requires great tenderness. We are nothing but dirt and dust. We are basically weak. Even the strongest men in the world are weak in the light of our Lord. In His great tenderness, He sent His Son to born of a woman and lived a sinless life. He died in a cruel death. This shows His great tenderness.

In God’s kindness there is mercy, because our fears can only be so removed by His merciful kindness. In the Lord there is no fear.

His truth is the second reason for the content of our praise. This speaks of His Word.

John 17:17

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

We are living in a time when people try to teach that there is no such thing as absolute truth. They are completely wrong. The Word of God is absolute truth. There are not gray areas. It is plainly black and white. It is black letters on white pages. Whatever the Lord tells us is truth nothing but the truth because He is truth.

John 14:6

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Conclusion: How do conclude this type of message? It is exactly how our Psalmist ended. “Praise ye the LORD.” In the Hebrew this words are just one. It is an international word. It is “Hallelujah”. It means praise ye the Lord or praise Jehovah. Why should we praise Jehovah? Let me give you three quick reasons. We should shout hallelujah because it is in his characteristic or attribute or you can always say that He is always faithful. What should we say here? “Hallelujah”

Secondly we should shout “hallelujah” because of His revelation in His Word. It is always infallible or without fault or failure.

Last of all we should shout “hallelujah” because of His action through His Word. It is always according to His promises.