Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 106-107
Devotional Thought:
Title: “Give Praise to God.”
It is a pattern in many Psalms that the writer would begin on a personal note of praise, and then calls upon the people to join him in his thanksgiving. This was, of course, the intent of the Psalms, that they should be vehicles of prayer and praise for congregational worship. Pastor Weigle reminds us often about the word Hallelujah! The “Hallelujah” is never out of place when offering praise to God. Even though the trials of life may be painful, there is reason throughout to give thanks. The psalmist starts Psalm 106 with, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.” His mercy, His lovingkindness, is forever. God bestows goodness and grace upon His people continually. His pity is everlasting towards us. There is none of us who can adequately tell the wondrous works of the Lord or render Him His due praise? His mighty acts are as great in character as they are in number. Human language fails to describe His works; therefore, we can only bow in wonder and in worship, unable to adequately express appreciation for all He has done. That man is blessed, who at all times observes justice, and maintains righteousness. This is not to be done just occasionally, but “at all times.” It is good, in every circumstance of life, for a man to practice these principles of godliness. These are indeed the very character of God Himself, justice and righteousness, and to see them exemplified in us as His children will bring Him pleasure. The psalmist longs for that approval. Do you desire to give God pleasure with your life? The writer reminds us that we should strive to get God’s favor. This has nothing to do with our being more acceptable, but it does have to do with our pleasing the Lord. Verse four says, “Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people.” When God acts towards His people in His favor, the psalmist prays that he might personally be allowed to share in the blessing. The salvation of which He speaks is the deliverance of the people from trials, and, as better times are anticipated for the nation, so the psalmist’s prayer is, “Remember me … visit me.” He gives three reasons for this prayer. (1) “That I may see the good of thy chosen.” This word “good” is the word, “prosperity.” The psalmist looked for the blessing, the good, of the nation, and trusted that he would have a part in the joy when the happier days arrived. (2) “That I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation.” How this great truth is emphasized, that the people belonged to God. “Thy chosen … thy nation … thine inheritance.” It was true of Israel. It is true of believers today. We are His and we belong to Him! (3) “That I may glory with thine inheritance.” The word “glory” is, in fact, the word for the familiar Hallelujah, or “praise ye the Lord.” “Praise” in the first word of the Psalm, is the same word. Although the people had behaved badly, and this would now be confessed, a day of praising was inevitable since God would restore them. The psalmist longed for the praise and pleasure, but first, he must recall, with sadness, his present and past failures. Indeed, as he looked forward to sharing in the anticipated joy, so he must now join in the confession of sin. “We have sinned with our fathers…” (vs. 6) True praise can only be completely enjoyed when it comes from a motive that is pure and a heart that is clean. How truly wonderful it is to confess our sin and know that our Great God rejoices in forgiving us and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. May we all sing praise unto God today out of a pure heart!
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to desire your pleasure more than anything else. Please help me see that nothing else matters.
- Lord, please help me to keep my heart clean. Help me to be honest with my own heart and to maintain a sensitivity to my sinful and selfish tendencies.
- Lord, thank you for your forgiveness and for the favor that comes in bringing true praises unto Thee.