Giving Thanks and Praise to GOD
"Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!"
Psalm 150:1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Psalm 150:2
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Psalm 150:3
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Psalm 150:4
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Psalm 150:5
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Psalm 150:6
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
So, why were all things created?
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:11.
Does man in his natural condition carry out the design of God?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.
While we were in this state, what did the Lord do for us?
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.
Through what is man permitted to come to repentance?
"Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4.
What does Christ become to those who accept Him?
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1:27.
When this grace is received, what will it cause one to do?
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. 5:2.
On what condition are we to remain members of Christ's household?
"But Christ as a son over His own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Heb. 3:6.
How often, and for how much, should we render thanks to God?
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph. 5:20.
The "all things" of the last text, includes our trials and disappointments. Why should we give thanks for them?
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." Rom. 8:28.
What did Paul and Silas do when put in prison for their faith?
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." Acts 16:25.
How did the Lord show His pleasure at their course?
"And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed." Acts 16:26.
After being imprisoned, and then beaten by order of the Jewish Sanhedrin, what did Peter and John do?
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Ps. 42:11.
When properly offered, what does praise to God become?
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." Ps. 50:23.
Should our praise to God be confined to our secret devotions?
"My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him." Ps. 22:25.
Why ought we thus to praise God?
"My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. " Ps. 34:2. "And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah: and they were smitten." 2 Chron. 20:22.
How should one approach God in prayer?
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Phil, 4:6 (Col. 4:2),
What is the will of God in this matter concerning us?
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18.
What has our Saviour taught us to pray?
"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matt. 6:10.
What does David exhort all to do?
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." Ps. 34:3.
What good example did he set which is worthy of imitation by us when with our brethren?
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul." Ps. 66:16.
What became of those, anciently, who were not thankful?
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Rom. 1:21.
What signal deliverance was once wrought for God's people when they offered praise to Him?
NOTE. - See below 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. It is a most thrilling account of deliverance from the enemies of God and His people. (new living translation)
War with Moab, Ammon, and Edom
After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites* declared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army from Edom* is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea.* They are already at Hazazon-tamar." (This was another name for En-gedi.) 3 Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the Lord for guidance. He also gave orders that everyone throughout Judah should observe a fast. 4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord.
5 Jehoshaphat stood before the people of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, "O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple for you. 9 They said, `Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.'
10 "And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help."
13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. 15 He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!"
18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed." 21 After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
"Give thanks to the Lord;
his faithful love endures forever!"
22 At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had finished off the army of Seir, they turned on each other.
24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, there were dead bodies lying on the ground for as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. 25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing,* and other valuables-more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing,* which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.
27 Then they returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, full of joy that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets and proceeded to the Temple of the Lord. 29 When the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. 30 So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
Psalm 150:1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Psalm 150:2
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Psalm 150:3
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Psalm 150:4
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Psalm 150:5
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Psalm 150:6
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
So, why were all things created?
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:11.
Does man in his natural condition carry out the design of God?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.
While we were in this state, what did the Lord do for us?
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.
Through what is man permitted to come to repentance?
"Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4.
What does Christ become to those who accept Him?
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1:27.
When this grace is received, what will it cause one to do?
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. 5:2.
On what condition are we to remain members of Christ's household?
"But Christ as a son over His own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Heb. 3:6.
How often, and for how much, should we render thanks to God?
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph. 5:20.
The "all things" of the last text, includes our trials and disappointments. Why should we give thanks for them?
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." Rom. 8:28.
What did Paul and Silas do when put in prison for their faith?
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." Acts 16:25.
How did the Lord show His pleasure at their course?
"And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed." Acts 16:26.
After being imprisoned, and then beaten by order of the Jewish Sanhedrin, what did Peter and John do?
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Ps. 42:11.
When properly offered, what does praise to God become?
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." Ps. 50:23.
Should our praise to God be confined to our secret devotions?
"My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him." Ps. 22:25.
Why ought we thus to praise God?
"My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. " Ps. 34:2. "And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah: and they were smitten." 2 Chron. 20:22.
How should one approach God in prayer?
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Phil, 4:6 (Col. 4:2),
What is the will of God in this matter concerning us?
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18.
What has our Saviour taught us to pray?
"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matt. 6:10.
What does David exhort all to do?
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." Ps. 34:3.
What good example did he set which is worthy of imitation by us when with our brethren?
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul." Ps. 66:16.
What became of those, anciently, who were not thankful?
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Rom. 1:21.
What signal deliverance was once wrought for God's people when they offered praise to Him?
NOTE. - See below 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. It is a most thrilling account of deliverance from the enemies of God and His people. (new living translation)
War with Moab, Ammon, and Edom
After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites* declared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army from Edom* is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea.* They are already at Hazazon-tamar." (This was another name for En-gedi.) 3 Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the Lord for guidance. He also gave orders that everyone throughout Judah should observe a fast. 4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord.
5 Jehoshaphat stood before the people of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, "O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple for you. 9 They said, `Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.'
10 "And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help."
13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. 15 He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!"
18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed." 21 After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
"Give thanks to the Lord;
his faithful love endures forever!"
22 At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had finished off the army of Seir, they turned on each other.
24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, there were dead bodies lying on the ground for as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. 25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing,* and other valuables-more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing,* which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.
27 Then they returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, full of joy that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets and proceeded to the Temple of the Lord. 29 When the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. 30 So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Wednesday, November 23, 2005
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