There is a revival in praise as a new wind of free worship sweeps across the earth affecting people of all denominations. After decades of singing songs about God, we are turning our hearts to seek God’s desire for worship.
As our hearts cry out to praise and please our Father, we must know what pleases Him. We find our answers in the Psalms, especially 148, 149 and 150 where the psalmist commands us to “Praise the Lord!” I want to look specifically at Psalm 149.
In verses 1-3 we are given instruction as to HOW we are to praise Him:
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Sing to the Lord a new song (v 1)
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Praise His name with dancing (v 3)
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Praise with tambourine (v 3)
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Praise with lyre (v 3) (strings)
Why are we to praise? Verse four…for the Lord takes pleasure in His people. Wow! Can you believe that we give God pleasure? I don’t know about you but I was raised to believe that God was ashamed of me. I strived for perfection just so that He would not be mad. To know that I bring God pleasure is awesome, amazing and refreshing.
What is the result of this worshipping with the tambourine, strings, singing and dancing? He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. The godly ones will exult in glory and rejoice in their beds. There will be salvation, glory and joy, both in the worshipper and those around us.
Verse six tells us two important things.
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The Psalmist calls this form of worship (dance, tambourine, singing and strings) the high praises of God. The Bible is giving instruction as to what God enjoys, and what pleases Him.
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The benefit to us is in the next part of that same verse… ‘a two-edged sword in our hands.’This form of high praise (dance, tambourine, singing and strings) is a weapon of victory for us.
When we use the tambourine, strings and pipes in worship we are redeeming those instruments for heavenly worship. When we worship in obedience to the scriptures; we give God the high praises from His perspective; and we receive power of a two-edged sword in our hands.
Do you want to give God high praise? Do you want to please Him and give Him pleasure? Dance around your living room (or your sanctuary) with a tambourine. Sing to Him a new song. Strike the strings. There is power and victory.
And He likes it!