Psalms of Praise
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God
is one LORD: And you shall love the
LORD your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all
your might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
The Lord our God is the One True God - apart from Him, thee is no other. (See Isaiah 45:5, 45:18, 46:9, and more) The Lord is great, and worthy to be praised!
He is our everything: Creator,`Redeemer, healer, strength, protector, and provider. Many of the songs and
prayers found in the book of Psalms beautifully proclaim the truth of God's love and goodness to His people.
Here we will look at just a few of the many, many Psalms of Praise.
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The first and last verses of Psalm 8 are identical; admiring the excellence of the name of God. The intermediate verses describe the awesome
wonder of the Lord's great creation, and marvel at God's condescension towards man, who is but a speck when compared to the sweeping glories of the heavens.
The entire universe is full of His glory and radiance; His power, goodness and wisdom are evident wherever one looks.
Psalm 8
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!
who have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth
of babes and infants have you ordained strength because of
your enemies, that you might still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the
moon and the stars, which you have ordained; What is man,
that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit
him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and
have crowned him with glory and honor. You made him to have
dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things
under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the
field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatever
passes through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how
excellent is your name in all the earth!
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In the first six verses of Psalm 19, the writer acknowledges that it is God who reveals Himself to us in the heavens, and in all the glories and wonders of His creation.
The rest of this Psalm expresses the perfection, truth, and saving power of God's laws, given in His holy word, and the rewards to those who accept it and
obey His laws and statutes.
Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament
shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and
night unto night shows knowledge. There is no speech
nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line
is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the
end of the world. In them has He set a tabernacle for the
sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
and rejoices as a strong man to run a race. Its going forth
is from the end of the heaven, and its circuit unto the ends
of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the
simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing
the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much
fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned: and in keeping
of them there is great reward. Who can understand his
errors? cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back your
servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have
dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be
innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
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Probably the best-loved of all the Psalms, and the very first one we learn as children, is the Twenty-Third Psalm. Also known as "The Shepherd's Psalm", it was
written by David, who was himself a shepherd for his father's flock long before he became king.
This Psalm richly details the guidance, providence, protection, and
reward of the Greatest Shepherd for His sheep, and the believer's peaceful joy, regardless of life's circumstances, in being cared for by the Shepherd.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul:
He leads me in the paths
of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff they
comfort me.
You prepare a table before
me
in the presence of my enemies:
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life: and I will dwell
in the house of the LORD forever.
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In our next selection, it is obvious throughout Psalm 30 that David had been greatly afflicted, even to the brink of death,
yet this Psalm is a song of praise, not complaint. David glorified God's mercy and
sang praise to Him. Notice that three times David gratefully acknowledges all that God has done for him: "you have lifted me up", "you have healed me", and "you have
brought up my soul from the grave". Three is a special number in Scripture, signifying perfection, and the Trinity. David's affliction was indeed great, but his God was greater.
We should also note that the house referred to here is not David's personal residence. Most scholars agree that this Psalm refers
to the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, the property David purchased after his sin of numbering the people.
David said of this property, "This is the house of the Lord God," (II Samuel 24:21) so it seems likely that he chose that spot as the site of the future temple.
Psalm 30
A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David
I will extol you, O LORD; for you have lifted me up, and have
not made my foes to rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried
unto you, and you have healed me. O LORD, you have brought
up my soul from the grave: you have kept me alive, that I should
not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O you saints of His,
and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. For His
anger endures but for a moment; in His favor is life: weeping
may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. LORD, by
your favor you have made my mountain to stand strong: you
did hide your face, and I was troubled. I cried to you, O LORD;
and unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit is there
in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise
you? shall it declare your truth? Hear, O LORD, and have
mercy upon me: LORD, be my helper. You have turned for
me my mourning into dancing: you have put off my sackcloth,
and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may
sing praise to you, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will
give thanks unto you forever.
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In ancient times, all the psalms were set to music, and used in worship services, although the exact tunes have been lost through time.
Psalm 65 is a song of praise to the Lord, celebrating His majesty, greatness, forgiveness, and love. His great love is manifested by hearing our prayers, pardoning our
sin, bringing us satisfaction in our souls, and His support and protection of His people.
It especially extols the Lord's great providence, which is seen in the gift of
fixing the mountains, calming the sea, preserving the regular succession of day and night, and making the earth fruitful.
Psalm 65
To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David
Praise waits for you, O God, in Zion: and unto you shall the
vow be performed. O you that hears prayer, unto you shall
all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our
transgressions, you shall purge them away. Blessed is the
man whom you choose, and cause to approach unto you,
that he may dwell in your courts: we shall be satisfied with
the goodness of your house, even of your holy temple. By
awesome deeds in righteousness will you answer us, O God
of our salvation; who is the confidence of all the ends of the
earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: Who by His
strength established the mountains; being girded with power:
Who stills the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and
the tumult of the people.
They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at your
signs: you make the outgoings of the morning and evening to
rejoice. You visit the earth, and water it: you greatly enrich it
with the river of God, which is full of water: you prepare them
grain, when you have so provided for it. You water its ridges
abundantly: you settle its furrows: you make it soft with
showers: you bless its growth. You crown the year with your
goodness; and your paths drop fatness. They drop upon the
pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every
side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also
are covered over with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing.
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Psalm 95 is an invitation to worship the Lord, the Rock of our salvation. It praises Him as both Creater and King, worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.
However, just as church bells can call believers to worship, those same bells can also toll a death knell, in this case specifically for the
rebelious generation which perished in the wilderness. This psalm of praise ends with a sad warning against the terrible consequence of being a stiff-necked, hard-hearted
person who ignores the mighty and wondrous work of the Lord, grieving Him with their unbelief. In Hebrews 3:7-12, this Psalm's warning is quoted by the Holy Spirit, instructing
all believers today to be careful not to follow their example, and not to depart from the Living God.
Psalm 95
O come, let us sing unto the LORD:
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above
all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth:
the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is His, and
He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. O come,
let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the
LORD our maker. For He is our God; and we are the
people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.
Today if you will hear His voice, Harden not your heart,
as in the provocation, and as in the day of trials in the
wilderness: When your fathers tested me, tried me, and
saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this
generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their
heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I
swore in my anger that they should not enter into my rest.
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In Psalm 98, the people of God and all of creation are urged to give Him all praise and honor and glory for His victory over sin and death,
and rejoice in His salvation. It is this combination of the Lord's mercy and truth that secures that salvation to all the world.
Recognizing the marvelous wonders of grace and righteousness displayed in God's salvation, all of creation is invited to unite in
praise of the One who made salvation possible..
Psalm 98
A Psalm
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He has done
marvellous things: His right hand, and His holy arm,
has gotten Him the victory. The LORD has made known
His salvation: His righteousness has He openly showed
in the sight of the heathen. He has remembered His
mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel: all the
ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make
a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the
LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a
psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful
noise before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and
the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful
together Before the LORD; for He comes to judge the
earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world,
and the people with equity.
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"A Psalm of Praise": Psalm 100 is the only psalm that opens with this precise inscription. It is all ablaze with grateful adoration, and has for this reason been a great
favourite with the people of God ever since it was written. Psalm 100 is a call for all the earth to render exalted praise to God, who is the Creator, protector, and
benefactor of all people. It is a reminder of who God is, and who we are in relationship to Him. Like many other Psalms, it contains
a prophetic anticipation of the conversion of all the gentile nations.
Psalm 100
A Psalm of Praise
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His
presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD
He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we
ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of
His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto
Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth
to all generations.
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This next Psalm has no title, but may be called "The Psalm of God's Works".
It's intended purpose is that God's people should know His works - and such
knowledge leads to true wisdom, and lasting adoration and praise. God's love and providence is evident is all His creation, and
the pathway to true worship and righteous fear of the Lord begins with understanding of God's perfect creation.
Psalm 111
Praise you the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my
whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the
congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought
out of all them that have pleasure in them. His work is
honorable and glorious: and His righteousness endures
forever. He has made His wonderful works to be
remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
He has given food unto them that fear him: He will
ever be mindful of His covenant. He has shown His
people the power of His works, that He may give
them the heritage of the nations. The works of His
hands are truth and justice; all His commandments
are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and
are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption
unto His people: He has commanded His covenant
forever: holy and awesome is His name. The fear
of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good
understanding have all they that do His commandments:
His praise endures forever.
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In Psalm 135, a psalm of praise, the first fourteen verses contain an exhortation to praise Jehovah for his goodness, love, and and unchanging character.
Then there are a few verses denouncing the uselessness of man-made idols and idol-worship. The psalmist ended with further exhortations to
bless the name of the Lord.
Notice that the word "praise" is repeated three times in the very first verse. Any time something is repeated, we should pay particular attention to what is being taught.
And the number three in Scripture is a very significant number, representing theTrinity.
- First, God's people are to praise God simply because He is God and so is worthy of all praise. We should not praise Him merely for His works, or for what He has done for us,
but for who He is, His character and nature. God is love; that is both His character and His nature.
- Secondly, His name is to be praised: the name "YHWH" or "Jehovah" is the special, covenant name of God with His people. His holy name is a privilege, and a blessing for His covenant people.
- And lastly, we want to praise Him for who we are in relationship to Him. Because He has saved us, we are forever His servants, to do His will.
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The priests, those standing in the house of the Lord, are specially mentioned. As spiritual leaders to Israel, they were to lead the people of God in holy worship of Him.
Psalm 135
Praise you the LORD. Praise you the name of the LORD;
praise him, O you servants of the LORD. You that stand
in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of
our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing
praises unto His name; for it is pleasant. For the LORD
has chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar
treasure. For I know that the LORD is great, and that our
Lord is above all gods.
Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did He in heaven,
and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causes
the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He
makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out
of his treasuries. Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, both
of man and beast. Who sent signs and wonders into the
midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his
servants. Who struck great nations, and slew mighty kings;
Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all
the kingdoms of Canaan: And gave their land for a heritage,
a heritage unto Israel His people. Your name, O LORD,
endures forever; and your memorial, O LORD, throughout
all generations. For the LORD will judge his people, and
He will have compassion on His servants.
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of
men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not;
eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but
they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
They that make them are like unto them: so is every one
that trusts in them.
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD,
O house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi:
you that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. Blessed
be the LORD out of Zion, who dwells at Jerusalem.
Praise you the LORD.
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This next Psalm is the first in a set of of eight psalms written by David. They are placed together
near the end of the book of Psalms, beginning right after the despair and mourning of the captive Israelites described in Psalm 137.
The first two of this set celebrate the glorious attributes of God as manifested in his dealings with the psalmist; followed by four earnest prayers for
deliverance in the midst of the psalmist's deep distress; finally closing with first a song anticipating a complete victory over all his foes,
and then celebrating the goodness of God after this victory is achieved.
The psalmist declared his whole-hearted praise to the one true God, even in the presence of other gods.
He was not going to let such idols - the false gods of the neighbouring nations - rob Jehovah of the praises He rightfully deserves.
His praises to Jehovah alone showed his contempt of such idols.
His mind is firmly set on the lovingkindness God has shown him, lowly as he is, and the way that God heard and answered his cries for help.
Psalms 138
I will praise you with my whole heart: before the gods
will I sing praise unto you. I will worship toward your
holy temple, and praise your name for your loving-
kindness and for your truth: for you have magnified
your word above all your name.
In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened
me with strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall
praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth.
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the
glory of the LORD. Though the LORD be high, yet has he
respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me:
you shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my
enemies, and your right hand shall save me. The LORD
will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD,
endures forever: forsake not the works of your own hands.
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Psalm 139 is a song of praise acknowledging God's omnipresence and omniscience. He is always present with us, and knows our every thought, word, and deed.
Nothing about us, our actions, our thoughts, or our circumstances is ever hidden from His eyes, and He orders the course of our lives according to His perfect plan.
Such knowledge is far too great for our poor human understanding.
The psalmist loves God so much that he loves what God loves, and hates the ungodliness that God hates. Knowing that God sees all evil and will punish all evil, he
states his own hatred of those ungodly persons who dare to speak against the Lord.
This Psalm ends with one of the most necessary and potent prayers written in Scripture; it is every bit as relevent to every believer today as it was the day it was
written. May we be willing to pray as David did, and be as honest as he was, knowing we cannot hide our sin from our omiscient, all-knowing, all-powerful God, yet also
believing in our hearts in the fullness of God's love and the power of His forgiveness.
Psalms 139
O LORD, you have searched me, and known me. You know
my downsitting and my uprising, you understand my thought
afar off. You search out my path and my lying down, and are
acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my
tongue, but, lo, O LORD, you know it altogether. You have
hedged me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot
attain unto it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? or where
shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven,
you are there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are
there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the
uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall your hand
lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say,
Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall
be light about me. Yea, the darkness hides not from you;
but the night shines as the day: the darkness and the light
are both alike to you.
For you have formed my inward parts: you have covered
me in my mother's womb. I will praise you; for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made: marvellous are your works; and
that my soul knows right well. My frame was not hid from
you, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in
the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes did see my
substance, being yet unformed; and in your book they
were all written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet
there were none of them.
How precious also are your thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they
are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am
still with you. Surely you will slay the wicked, O God:
depart from me therefore, you bloody men. For they
speak against you wickedly, and your enemies take
your name in vain. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that
hate you? and am not I grieved with those that rise up
against you? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count
them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and
know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
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Many Psalms have an introduction before them, such as “A Psalm of David”, “for the director of music”, etc. Although praises are found throughout the
book, Psalm 145 is the only one specifically designated as a “psalm of praise”. It is a powerful song of praise and testimony,
from the heart of someone who is in complete awe of God, and the praise and admiration shown by this worshiper is contagious. In verses 1-9, David extols the power, goodness, and mercy of
the Lord. The rest of the Psalm praises the glory of God's kingdom, and the tender care the Lord shows to those that love Him.
Psalm 145
David's Psalm of Praise
I will extol you, my God, O king; and I will bless your name
forever and ever. Every day will I bless you; and I will praise
your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly
to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall
declare your mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of
your majesty, and of your wondrous works. And men shall
speak of the might of your wonderous acts: and I will declare
your greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of
your great goodness, and shall sing of your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger,
and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and His tender
mercies are over all His works.
All your works shall praise you, O LORD; and your
saints shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your
kingdom, and talk of your power; To make known to the sons
of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion
endures throughout all generations. The LORD upholds all that
fall, and raises up all those that are bowed down. The eyes of
all wait upon you; and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.
The LORD is near unto all them that call upon Him, to all that
call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear
Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD
preserves all them that love Him: but all the wicked will He
destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let
all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.
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These are just a few of the Psalms of Praise to our Lord. There isn't enough space here to include all of them, but I encourage you to read the Psalms
for yourself. I believe that whatever may be happening in our lives, there is something somewhere in one (or more) of the Psalms that provides
insight and wisdom pertaining to our situation. There is always something there to teach, to guide, to motivate, to comfort, to encourage and uplift us.
Read through the Psalms,
again and again. Take note of your favorites, and note whether they are
psalms of praise, lament, worship, repentene, forgiveness, thanksgiving, or something else. Write down the words of the Psalm that speak to you particularly.
Pray about what you've written, and jot down any insights you might receive, or lessons the Holy Spirit may be teaching you.
The more we read and study
God's word, the more we come to love and worship Him, and have a reverential fear and awe of Him, and that, my friend, is the beginning of true wisdom.
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