PSALM THIRTY THREE

JOYFUL PRAISE. 
 
   Originally, a carol was a song to dance to. Basically this psalm is
one of exultation. "Rejoice - praise Him - leap for joy - dance for
joy! It is a psalm of Joyful Praise.   Praise is comely. Pious public
exultation is becoming to God's people. Comely means, seemly -
desirable - beautiful. Even Calvin declared that there was no better
exercise in which the people of God could be employed than praise. It
is a great privilege to praise the Lord. It refreshes the heart,
revives the spirit, and excites others to do the same. We have
countless reasons for praising the Lord. 
   Praise is commanded. "Confess the Lord with the harp. Sing praises
with the psaltery and ten stringed instruments." 
   We do not know the shape - size - scale - nor power - of the Old
Testament instruments, but the intensity of feeling with which they
were played is clearly indicated. If you don't feel like praising, then
PLAY until you do. Today, everyone can PLAY A TAPE or a RECORD, they
are always available. Stir your heart to praise the Lord. 
   Praise is personal. A new song is your up to date testimony. This is
why the enemy makes it difficult for us to praise the Lord. The
Scriptures call it, "The sacrifice of praise" . It is the fruit of our
lips, but it must come from the heart. The heart that is in tune with
the Lord will praise Him. Do it skillfully with a loud noise. Give full
expression to what is in your soul. So much of the music of our age is
the loud noise without the skill. Do not be put off - let the joy of
the Lord within you find full expression. Deep breathing is good
exercise for the body; but DEEP PRAISING transforms body and soul and
spirit. 
   Praise is positive. "The word of the Lord is right." 
   How negative some people can be at times. They spend a great deal of
time talking about the mess the world is in; how wicked men are; how
bad the economy is. Let us proclaim, "God is still on the throne." 
   Praise God in the affirmative. Be positive in your attitude as a
believer. The word of the Lord is RIGHT. How wonderful to realise in
all our living that God is right. At all times, in all circumstances,
whatever the occasion, GOD IS RIGHT. "Rejoice in the Lord!" 
   His mercies are new every morning, and He daily loads us with His
benefits. Who is a God like unto our God? 
   Be filled with joyful praise. 



Copyright (c) 1995, Hedley Palmer. All rights reserved.



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