Praising God is the Right Thing to Do
Praise is due to Thee, O God. (Ps. 65:1)
Ps. 65-68; Ps. 4:4; Ps. 46:10; Heb. 13:15; I Pet. 2:9
What Is God Saying?
Psalm 65 is the first of four Psalms with the theme of praise to God. It is good to read them together. They form a brief and welcome interlude, following several songs with much pleading and longing, and preceding Psalms that touch on much suffering and cries for help. Like a passing chord in music, the last verse of the troubled Psalms moves into the spirit of praise. ‘Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him. Let all the upright in heart glory’ (Ps. 64:10). Then comes, ‘Praise is due to Thee, O God.’ There are deep meanings in this brief phrase. The Hebrew word translated ‘waiteth’ (in the KJV) and ‘is due’ (in the RSV), has for its root the idea of being silent. It is the silence of expectation. It is the silence of Ps. 46:10 where stillness is paired with knowing God.
How Does This Apply To Us?
We must be sure we are not praising God with our lips while disobeying Him in our lives. Before praising God we should be silent, ensuring we are fulfilling our vows. Don't bypass silence in praising God. It is the threshold of praise. Don't rush into praise. Wait. Let the awesomeness of God fill your soul until the heart is so filled with love and gratitude, that it naturally overflows in praise and thanksgiving. Silence before God puts things into focus—our shortcomings and God's amazing grace, our needs and poverty of spirit and God's abundant love.
We think of the geysers in Yellowstone Park. They remain silent between their periodic eruptions. Quiet on the surface, they are only gathering energy for those spectacular displays that amaze onlookers. First, the preparation in our hearts, then the release of gladness and exuberance and adoration. Being silent, contemplating His goodness, His power, and His love, is the all-important threshold of worthy praise. Praise waiteth until it senses the praise that is due.
Pray With Me
Praising You, O God is life's highest privilege. It lifts me above the weighty problems of the moment. It helps me to see that I have an eternal destiny. I am anchored to the Infinite. It stirs chords of joy which have long been silent. Praise is wonderful, Lord, I need it. I owe You the strength and the labor of the day's best hours; the joy of a redeemed soul; an overflowing heart; a life consistent with Your truth and obedient to Your love; a kind word to my neighbor and a merciful deed to the least of Christ's brothers; a heart ready to listen; a mind ready to understand, and a will ready to conform to You.
Praise is due to You, O God. May I not give it in idle words. May it never become routine. True obedience is the highest form of praise, a life that withholds nothing from the lordship of Jesus Christ. Praise may be framed in good words, but it comes from a life of good works. We are not saved by good works, but You are truly praised by good works. Such praise is due and such I would always give.
By the grace of Jesus Christ and to the praise of His glory. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Jesus said, ‘When you pray, go to your room and shut the door and pray to your Father’ (Mt. 6:6). Not only does this emphasize the importance of being alone with God, but it also implies silence. Don't pray to impress others. In prayer, we are not seeking men's approval but God's blessing. Prayer is best begun by listening for God's will through God's Word. In silence, God's purpose, God's majesty, and God's love have a chance to filter through our minds, awakening in our hearts a desire to praise Him.
