1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psalm 34: 1-8
The Hebrew word, “Halal,” serves as the root for our word, “Hallelujah.” It means "to be clear, to shine, to boast, to show, to rave, to celebrate and to be clamorously foolish.”
In this passage of scripture, David was fleeing for his life from King Saul. Out of desperation he runs to the land of the Philistines to hide. David sought refuge in the enemy camp because he thought that Saul would not look for him there. But even David’s enemies recognized who he was. They ran and told King Achish, “isn’t this David, the one about whom the Hebrew women sang, “Saul has killed thousands, but David has killed 10 thousands?”
At that, the king went out to see if in fact the mighty warrior David was in the land. David had to think quickly – there was no where to run or to hide, so he decided to act crazy – like a mad man in order to disguise himself from the king of the Philistines. The scripture says that David began to foam at the mouth, began clawing and scratching at the city gates and writing on the walls. When the king saw this he said, “Surely this mad man is not the mighty warrior David – you all are wasting my time!”
So David, by behaving like a mad man was spared and was able to get out of Gath unharmed. When David escaped both Saul and Achish, he began to praise God. In Psalm 34, David is clear, he is boasting, he is raving, he is celebrating, he is being “clamorously foolish” about praising God - his deliverer, his keeper, his provider, his protector, his mighty battle axe.
This story teaches us some powerful lessons about praise:
Praise consoles us during difficult situations
David had developed a life of praise. David understood that when we elect to praise God, we take the focus off of our situation, our challenge, our fear, and place our focus upon the power of the awesome God we serve. David didn’t make that declaration “I will bless the Lord at all times – His praise shall continually be in my mouth…” when all was going well. David was able to make that bold statement even in the midst of his deepest darkest hour of pain, fear and distress because David developed a deep relationship with God. David knew God intimately. David took time to learn what it meant to walk with God, trust in God, wait on deliverance from God – to see God as a shield and buckler. David’s praise grew out of knowing God.
When we praise God, we remind ourselves that we are not in this battle, this struggle, this difficulty, this situation or circumstance alone. When we praise God – we remind ourselves that God has all power in His hand and no battle is too difficult or hard for Him. When we praise God, we release a super natural power and strength in our lives to help us to focus – to persevere, to pursue, to keep on running, keep on pressing, keep on striving, keep on keeping in Jesus’ name! Praise consoles us, strengthens us and helps us to keep moving ahead.
Powerful praise gives rise to victory
All throughout the Old Testament, we find the prophets telling God’s people to praise Him. Often as Israel was preparing to go out to war, God would send the prophets to have the musicians, the singers and the priests to go out before the army – to lead in the procession to the battlefield. The prophet would declare, “Don’t fear – the battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s!” The Levites – that priestly clan of musicians and singers would rise up and start singing in loud voices, “Jehovah the God of Israel reigns!” They marched before the army saying, “Glorify Jehovah, because His mercy endures forever!” When confronted with human enemies, the Levites responded by praising the Lord with a “strong and loud voice.” Whenever they did that – God gave them the victory. The result of powerful praise was total victory! Praise gives rise to victory. When we combine an intimate relationship with God – a relationship of prayer, reading, studying and applying God’s Word to our lives with praise, the result is victorious living. There is great power in prayer and praise.
Praise is a mighty weapon against the enemy of our souls.
Although we may appear “mad” or foolish to others, when we praise God through our struggles, our focus turns towards God and away from the valley. When we by faith choose to “look up and live,” we frustrate the enemy’s plans to defeat us. Praise releases something within us. Praise empowers us to trust God in every situation and circumstance. Praise reminds us that we have something and someone greater that what our eyes can see.
Even in the midst of your pain, disappointment and struggle, begin to bless the Lord. Give God your praise. God will honor your “sacrifice of praise,” and give you victory in the days ahead.
Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org
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