May 2nd - Echoing His Praises

Echoing His Praises

(Psalm 103; 104; 113; 114; 117)

Ancient of Days

By William Blake

1794

Perhaps any parent has experienced the need to echo an important instruction for emphasis, making sure a child has truly absorbed the information. By stressing a vital statement, a mother or father hopes to impress its full weight upon the listener.

Teachers and trainers practice the same strategy.

Over the years, God has called me to teach in the classroom, Bible studies and other arenas. Let me share a secret about instruction. If a teacher restates and reiterates a bit of information, students can bet that item will appear on a quiz or test. If a professor, trainer or conference speaker reveals a key bit of data, a quote, a date or a Bible verse on a blackboard, a projection screen or a paper handout, attendees can be sure that information is central to the lesson.

Anything that bears repeating will likely appear on a test (of some form) later. Simply put, students can count on future accountability for items that have been presented repeatedly.

God also repeats for emphasis.

Our patient and loving Lord may also repeat important truths in His Word, making sure we will recognize and respond to His calling.

What is the main point of today’s Bible readings in the Psalms?

Here’s a hint. Reread our assigned Scripture passages. Watch for any phrasings that appear often. What have you found?

From the beginning of a child’s schooling years, teachers forbid students from writing in their textbooks. Usually, these resources are recycled for future classes. Personal books are another story altogether.

May I presume to suggest that you possess full liberty to write in your own Bible?

If you dare, grab a colored pencil. Go through today’s Psalm readings, and circle every appearance of this phrase:

“Praise the Lord.”

Now, go back and count the times it appears. Depending upon the Bible translation you use, you may find the phrase, “Praise the Lord,’ about 15 to 18 times. If you count synonymous phrasings, the total may be even greater.

Could God be trying to tell us something?

Is the Lord not worthy of praise? How can we ever praise Him enough?

Just for fun and to exercise our proverbial praise muscles a bit, let’s see how many synonyms for praise we can find.

Praise the Lord

S D E V O T I O N B H S K N A H T J X E

A L I N F F Y S O D U K P I Y O K B E E

E T K O G R A T I T U D E M N M M L S Q

S N O I T A L U T A R G N O C A R T I B

U E N T H U S I A S M S I R Y G E N A P

A M B A P P R E C I A T I O N E N N R H

L H V M L I N O I T A D N E M M O C P R

P S B A A V H O F C H E E R H I I P I L

P I D L U V P S I T E X U L T A T I O N

A U B C D Y N F R T T K F A C L I E V Q

C G X O I C I I O O A N R D N J N L A T

C N L R T N B P L A W B O M D D G E T Z

L I A P G U O M G K E N O I O R O V I J

A T U I T V E Z G L O R Y R T F C A O F

I S D E C N E R E V E R S A P A E T N X

M I A X T F A C J B J E D T L P R I X W

R D T T N E M I L P M O C I A T A O T Z

G N I S S E L B M E D A L O C C A N D P

V G O B E I S A N C E S A N C T I O N A

M N N O I T A T I C P D R A G E R O C I

ACCLAIM

ACCOLADE

ADMIRATION

ADORATION

APPLAUSE

APPRECIATION

APPROBATION

BLESSING

CELEBRATION

CHEER

CITATION

COMMENDATION

COMPLIMENT

CONGRATULATIONS

DEVOTION

DIGNIFICATION

DISTINGUISHMENT

ELEVATION

ENDORSEMENT

ENTHUSIASM

ESTEEM

EXTOLMENT

EXULTATION

GLORIFICATION

GLORY

GRATITUDE

HAIL

HOMAGE

HYMN

KUDOS

LAUDATION

OBEISANCE

OVATION

PANEGYRISM

PLAUDIT

PRAISE

PROCLAMATION

RECOGNITION

REGARD

REVERENCE

SANCTION

THANKS

TRIBUTE

WORSHIP

What could be more important than praising the Holy One?

Save it to memory.

On my computer (and probably yours), files are saved by a simple key command. If the operator hits the CONTROL and S keys at the same time, the information is saved and stored.

May God take control of our hearts and minds and save us by storing His truth within us.

Speak to us, Lord.

We are listening. We love You, and we choose to praise You today. No matter what happens, we know You are still God. Knowing You is more than enough.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord.

Will you pray with me?

Praise the Lord

With my heart and soul

And with my whole being.

Praise the Lord.

May my life bring honor

To You, O God.

May my mouth

Express my gratitude

And my love

For You.

Praise the Lord,

For You are worthy

Of praise.

Praise the Lord.

Amen.