A Praise

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The psalms are full of praises and petitions to God. Some are brutally honest in expressing thoughts, which makes sense because God already knows them intimately anyway. We often think we can hide our thoughts from God, but the psalmists truly understood that there is no hiding from an omnipotent God—whether it is a large sin or an errant thought. Psalm 147 begins with an outburst of praise to the LORD with an explanation that reads almost like a list as to why it’s good to sing praises to his God:
1. “The LORD builds up” (vs. 2, NASB) 2. “He gathers the outcasts” (vs. 2) 3. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds” (vs. 3) 4. “He counts the number of the stars” and names them all (vs. 4) 5. He is great and His strength abundant (vs. 5) 6. He has infinite understanding (vs. 5) 7. He supports the afflicted (vs. 6), and 8. He takes down the wicked (vs. 6).
           Here the psalmist interrupts his list to offer some more praise to God with thanksgiving and with songs on his lyre. Then he resumes the list for reasons God is worthy of praise: vs. 8 speaks of his provisions for the earth, vs. 9 speaks of His provision for the beasts of the field, and vs. 10-11 reminds us that God doesn’t delight in the strength of those He has created so much as He delights in or favors the ones “who fear Him” and “wait for His lovingkindness.”  I don’t know about your prayers, but mine are often fitful and impatient and do not give God this kind of due praise, which He most certainly deserves. The psalmist was patient, not hurried and knew His God—there was no pretense on his part. He is quick to pour out his petitions, but his relationship with God seems constant and real and familiar. I think that’s where our prayer lives get skewed. We don’t maintain our relationships with God so much as we keep Him on speed dial for emergencies and Sundays and maybe Wednesday night (if we show). The psalmist continues in verse 12 of Psalm 147 by pouring out his praise of what God has done for Jerusalem. He then encourages others to praise God for what He has done (vs. 13-19). Then the psalmist ends without asking anything of His God—he simply offers the fact that God did not choose to bless any other nation the way He chose to bless Israel (vs. 20). I am encouraged by this psalmist when I stop to consider the greatness of my God and His compassion towards me. My heart is encouraged by this psalm because it helps me refocus on the extension of His lovingkindess toward me. I am challenged when I realize that, like this psalmist, I need to encourage others to pour out their praises to a living God who is worthy of more than I can give Him! Praise the Lord!

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