Why praise God?
These two psalms are a primer on
why we bother praising God. They set up the final five Hallelujah psalms that
close the book. God’s people knew their privileges as His people. And God’s
faithfulness has drawn in people of faith to that group from all nations
through Christ. So as we praise, let’s do so through the lens of the cross, the
supreme example of His faithfulness and the reason for His praise.
Praise the LORD, the psalmist
preaches to himself (146:1). I will
praise, he tells himself (146:2). I will
sing of Him all my life. I will praise God,
not men (v3). And here is why…
God is faithful (146:6). He
creates, provides and rescues (146:5-9). He reigns forever (146:10). He looks
after His people (147:2-3). He knows all things (147:4-5). He sorts out justice
(147:6). He provides all that His creation needs (147:8-9). He gives peace and
security to His people (147:13-14). He is in control of all things (147:15-18).
He has revealed himself – in His word to Israel
God’s pleasure is in the man or
woman who fears him, who hopes in his love (147:10-11) – in other words in the
man or woman who praises him. We have lots of reasons to do so. So let’s
delight Him today.
(friend of Christ Church