“Come to the edge” He said. They said, “We are afraid.”
“Come to the edge” He said. They said, “We will fall.”
“Come to the edge” He said. They came…
He pushed them… and they flew!
Guillaume Apolliniare
“Come to the edge” He said. They said, “We will fall.”
“Come to the edge” He said. They came…
He pushed them… and they flew!
Guillaume Apolliniare
Praising the Lord:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 NIV (my emphasis bold)
In all the course of history of the church there has never been a time when there has been more opportunities to praise the Lord. We have an abundance of knowledge about praise, resources and opportunity to raise the praises of our God, which is our reasonable service.
“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright.”
Psalm 33:1
Heaven is perpetually expressing the praises of our God. The praises of God are continually raised around the throne of God. The angels shout until the door posts shake, and the praise of heaven ushers in the glory of God
In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 NIV (my emphasis bold)
In all the course of history of the church there has never been a time when there has been more opportunities to praise the Lord. We have an abundance of knowledge about praise, resources and opportunity to raise the praises of our God, which is our reasonable service.
“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright.”
Psalm 33:1
Heaven is perpetually expressing the praises of our God. The praises of God are continually raised around the throne of God. The angels shout until the door posts shake, and the praise of heaven ushers in the glory of God
In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted,
with the train of His robe filling the temple.
Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings:
Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings:
with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
And one called out to another and said,
And one called out to another and said,
"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."
And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out,
And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out,
while the temple was filling with smoke.
Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?"
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?"
Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:1-8 NASB
When we enter heaven we will enter into exuberant praise. We will be shouting the praises of our God. We have the opportunity to praise Him like that right now. We serve an emotional and passionate God – should we not express our appreciation to Him with equal passion?
Paul encourages believers to present our bodies as living sacrifices unto God.
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
Isaiah 6:1-8 NASB
When we enter heaven we will enter into exuberant praise. We will be shouting the praises of our God. We have the opportunity to praise Him like that right now. We serve an emotional and passionate God – should we not express our appreciation to Him with equal passion?
Paul encourages believers to present our bodies as living sacrifices unto God.
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
Romans 12:1 NASB
He urges us to yield our members as instruments of righteousness.
“…and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”
Romans 6:13 NASB
As believers we must give ourselves wholly to worship and praise, and we must remember that God wants us to do so in spirit and truth. God seeks a whole hearted effort, those who will praise his name with reckless abandon. He wants us to give our entire spirit to Him.
“Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly.”
Psalm 111:1 NASB
“I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your loving-kindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.”
Psalm 138:1-2 NASB
There are many different manifestations of praise described in the Scriptures.
At least nine ways are described to encourage us to praise God:
1. With our Mouth –
God desires us to use our mouth to praise Him with our voice. In doing this we will make known the goodness of God. This may be through speaking, testimony or through song.
“These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.”
Psalm 42:4 NASB
“Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praise abroad,”
Psalm 66:8 NASB
“...so that with one accord you may with one voice
He urges us to yield our members as instruments of righteousness.
“…and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”
Romans 6:13 NASB
As believers we must give ourselves wholly to worship and praise, and we must remember that God wants us to do so in spirit and truth. God seeks a whole hearted effort, those who will praise his name with reckless abandon. He wants us to give our entire spirit to Him.
“Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly.”
Psalm 111:1 NASB
“I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your loving-kindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.”
Psalm 138:1-2 NASB
There are many different manifestations of praise described in the Scriptures.
At least nine ways are described to encourage us to praise God:
1. With our Mouth –
God desires us to use our mouth to praise Him with our voice. In doing this we will make known the goodness of God. This may be through speaking, testimony or through song.
“These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.”
Psalm 42:4 NASB
“Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praise abroad,”
Psalm 66:8 NASB
“...so that with one accord you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15:6 NASB
2. Singing –
The Word of God teaches us that we are to come into His presence with singing. Singing is an expression of the focus of the inner man.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise
Romans 15:6 NASB
2. Singing –
The Word of God teaches us that we are to come into His presence with singing. Singing is an expression of the focus of the inner man.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”
Psalm 100:4 NASB
Psalm 100:4 NASB
"I will be glad and exult in You;I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."
Psalm 9:2 NASB
3. Shouting –
It always amazes me how people will go to a sporting event or secular musical event and yell, scream and act like a fanatic – yet when they come into the presence of the King of Kings they think they have to sit piously without showing any emotion. The outcome of a football game has limited effect, but the effect of what God has done effects us for all eternity. The Word says that all those who trust in God will shout for joy.
“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.”
Psalm 5:11 NKJ (my emphasis bold)
“Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”
Isaiah 12:6 NKJ
“So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD
3. Shouting –
It always amazes me how people will go to a sporting event or secular musical event and yell, scream and act like a fanatic – yet when they come into the presence of the King of Kings they think they have to sit piously without showing any emotion. The outcome of a football game has limited effect, but the effect of what God has done effects us for all eternity. The Word says that all those who trust in God will shout for joy.
“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.”
Psalm 5:11 NKJ (my emphasis bold)
“Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”
Isaiah 12:6 NKJ
“So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD
with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.”
2 Samuel 6:15 NASB
4. Clapping –
It is God’s desire that we clap as a sign of honor and rejoicing.
The history of clapping is an interesting one. Clapping was a military expression which was used when triumphant soldiers returned home. They would march the captives and booty through the city for all the populace to witness. As they paraded through the city, the soldiers would beat their swords and spears rhythmically on their shields. The people lining the streets would clap their hands along with them as a sign of respect and appreciation for what they had done.
Our Lord and Savior has triumphed over death and evil, and freed us from the judgment of our sinful nature.
“He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin,
2 Samuel 6:15 NASB
4. Clapping –
It is God’s desire that we clap as a sign of honor and rejoicing.
The history of clapping is an interesting one. Clapping was a military expression which was used when triumphant soldiers returned home. They would march the captives and booty through the city for all the populace to witness. As they paraded through the city, the soldiers would beat their swords and spears rhythmically on their shields. The people lining the streets would clap their hands along with them as a sign of respect and appreciation for what they had done.
Our Lord and Savior has triumphed over death and evil, and freed us from the judgment of our sinful nature.
“He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin,
to set them all free.”
1 Timothy 2:4 NASB (my emphasis bold)
We can show our honor, appreciation and pleasure to the Lord by clapping our hands in His presence.
"Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy"
Psalm 98:8 NASB
"For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace;
1 Timothy 2:4 NASB (my emphasis bold)
We can show our honor, appreciation and pleasure to the Lord by clapping our hands in His presence.
"Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy"
Psalm 98:8 NASB
"For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Isaiah 55:12 NASB
5 Lifting Our Hands –
A natural response for a grateful believer is to raise their hands in the presence of the Lord.
“We lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven;”
Lamentations 3:41 NASB
It is interesting that the lifting of the hands is also a sign of covenant relationship. We are a people who stand in covenant relationship with God. Lifting our hands before Him is a sign of our gratitude for His loving-kindness towards us.
"And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,"
Genesis 14:22 KJV (my emphasis bold)
“Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”
Psalm 63:3-4 NASB
“Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands,
Isaiah 55:12 NASB
5 Lifting Our Hands –
A natural response for a grateful believer is to raise their hands in the presence of the Lord.
“We lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven;”
Lamentations 3:41 NASB
It is interesting that the lifting of the hands is also a sign of covenant relationship. We are a people who stand in covenant relationship with God. Lifting our hands before Him is a sign of our gratitude for His loving-kindness towards us.
"And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,"
Genesis 14:22 KJV (my emphasis bold)
“Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”
Psalm 63:3-4 NASB
“Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and dissension.”
1 Timothy 2:8 NASB
6 Standing –
When an honored guest comes into a room, people generally will stand as a sign of respect. Standing before the Lord is yet another way we can praise and honor Him.
“Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD,
which by night stand in the house of the LORD.”
Psalm 134:1 KJV (see also Psalm 135:1-2)
“They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD,
and likewise at evening,”
1 Chronicles 23:30 NASB
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
1 Timothy 2:8 NASB
6 Standing –
When an honored guest comes into a room, people generally will stand as a sign of respect. Standing before the Lord is yet another way we can praise and honor Him.
“Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD,
which by night stand in the house of the LORD.”
Psalm 134:1 KJV (see also Psalm 135:1-2)
“They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD,
and likewise at evening,”
1 Chronicles 23:30 NASB
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,"
Jude 1:24 NASB
7 Bowing or Kneeling –
Kneeling or Bowing is a gesture of humility before God. When we fully recognize the magnificence of the One before whom we gather, it is not surprising that we should desire to bow or kneel before Him.
“Now Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.”
2 Chronicles 6:13 NASB
“Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
Psalm 95:6 NASB
“And let all kings bow down before him, all nations serve him.”
Psalm 72:11 NASB
..."so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,"
Philippians 2:10 NASB
8 Playing Musical Instruments -
The definition of the word Psalm is “an ode or song of praise accompanied by a harp or musical instrument. The use of musical instruments can lead us into the presence of the Lord, be and expression of praise in itself or can become a prophetic expression of the Lord. It is interesting to me that when the children of God went into battle, they often sent the choir and musicians out before them. I believe that music is an expression of spiritual warfare.
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;"
Jude 1:24 NASB
7 Bowing or Kneeling –
Kneeling or Bowing is a gesture of humility before God. When we fully recognize the magnificence of the One before whom we gather, it is not surprising that we should desire to bow or kneel before Him.
“Now Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.”
2 Chronicles 6:13 NASB
“Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
Psalm 95:6 NASB
“And let all kings bow down before him, all nations serve him.”
Psalm 72:11 NASB
..."so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,"
Philippians 2:10 NASB
8 Playing Musical Instruments -
The definition of the word Psalm is “an ode or song of praise accompanied by a harp or musical instrument. The use of musical instruments can lead us into the presence of the Lord, be and expression of praise in itself or can become a prophetic expression of the Lord. It is interesting to me that when the children of God went into battle, they often sent the choir and musicians out before them. I believe that music is an expression of spiritual warfare.
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;"
Ephesians 5:18-19
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:16
"Afterward you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is; and it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre before them, and they will be prophesying.
1 Samuel 10:5 NASB
“I will sing a new song to You, O God;
Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,”
Psalm 144:9 NASB
“Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.”
Psalm 150:3 NASB
9 Dancing –
Dance is often neglected in churches because many people automatically think of carnal dance expressions found in the world. Most of the things that we find objectionable in the world are perverted expressions of Godly expressions. We could make the same argument against music as an expression of worship and praise, if we hold this low view. Because the enemy has exploited it, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek it as an expression of worship in spirit and truth.
“Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.”
Psalm 149: 3 NASB
“Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.”
Psalm 150:4 NASB
“And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might,
and David was wearing a linen ephod.”
2 Samuel 6:14 NASB
Every act of faith in praise and worship involves a sacrifice on the part of worshippers. The lifting of hands, clapping, singing, shouting, playing of instruments, bowing and kneeling, standing, shouting and dancing are all conscious acts of believers that are done on the basis of an understanding of the Word of God and a willingness to walk in obedience.
Colossians 3:16
"Afterward you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is; and it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre before them, and they will be prophesying.
1 Samuel 10:5 NASB
“I will sing a new song to You, O God;
Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,”
Psalm 144:9 NASB
“Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.”
Psalm 150:3 NASB
9 Dancing –
Dance is often neglected in churches because many people automatically think of carnal dance expressions found in the world. Most of the things that we find objectionable in the world are perverted expressions of Godly expressions. We could make the same argument against music as an expression of worship and praise, if we hold this low view. Because the enemy has exploited it, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek it as an expression of worship in spirit and truth.
“Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.”
Psalm 149: 3 NASB
“Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.”
Psalm 150:4 NASB
“And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might,
and David was wearing a linen ephod.”
2 Samuel 6:14 NASB
Every act of faith in praise and worship involves a sacrifice on the part of worshippers. The lifting of hands, clapping, singing, shouting, playing of instruments, bowing and kneeling, standing, shouting and dancing are all conscious acts of believers that are done on the basis of an understanding of the Word of God and a willingness to walk in obedience.
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