1 Chronicles 16:7-36
Verse 36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
Have you ever thought about our time of singing in church as a time of celebrating God? Singing praise to God has long been a way of telling what God has done for us. As far back as the crossing the Red Sea (and likely before, although this is the first recorded) a song would be written and performed as praise to God listing the things He had done. It was also a way to remind future generations of what God had done in the past so that they would trust Him with their lives in the present and give them hope for the future.
After crossing the Red Sea and seeing God’s mighty protection how could they not praise God? The whole of the people rejoiced and praised God including a group of women (Exodus 15:1-21). Years later God rescued His people again under the leadership of the judge Deborah and Barak, who was an army general and they sing a song of deliverance (Judges 5). David is known for his writing of songs in times of hardship as well as times of joy. The family of Asaph was known as singers and David placed them in charge of leading the praise and worship when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:37).
Praising as a community is important and David wanted to make sure that it was an established part of the kingdom going forward. We already know that David knew the power of music. He was an accomplished musician even having played for the former king when Saul was fighting emotional demons.
Praise was David’s specialty and that was born from his personal relationship with God. He seemed to know what Moses and Deborah knew, that praise could be used to remind the people what God had done for them and that He alone is worth such praise.
Pure praise comes from a heart that knows God. A heart that knows He is worthy of all glory. Not only for what He has done but because of who He is – the God who intervenes for His chosen people.
Making It Personal
What can you praise God for today? Do you find yourself drawing closer to God and those around you when you praise God in a group? Choose a song today and belt out praise to the Almighty.
Making It Personal Kids
Do you like to sing about Jesus? What is your favorite song about Him? Take a few minutes and sing that song knowing that God hears and it makes Him happy when you sing about Him because you love Him.
Closing Prayer
Father, we want to praise You. You created us for praise and You alone are worthy. We praise You. How great You are! In Jesus’ name, amen.
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