Tag Archives: Praise

John 12

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John 12: Receive Christ = Receive God

                Jesus comes to Bethany, six days before the Passover begins. He goes to the same place where He raised Lazarus from the dead, and there they make Him dinner. Mary took out ointment of spikenard and begins to anoint the feet of Jesus and wipe it with her hair. Judas Iscariot asked why this very expensive ointment wasn’t sold and the money given to the poor. Judas said this; “…not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bad, and bare what was put therein.” (John 12:6) Essentially the money given to the ‘poor’ was put in a bag that he usually had control over. His concern was not getting his cut of the expensive ointment. Jesus tells Judas to calm; “…Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.” (John 12:7-8)

                Many of the people who had heard about Jesus and how He raised Lazarus from the dead come to see, and believe on Him. Many people attended the feast and this made some Jews uncomfortable, so they plot the death of Jesus and Lazarus. Jesus continues moving forward, riding on a Colt into town as the crowd came to Him, saying; “…Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (John 12:13)

Jesus teaches that the “…the hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified.” (John 12:23) and continues by stating; “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:25) We learn from this, that whatever state you leave this world, you will enter the next. If you lived a happy life and tried to look at the positive, even during the bad… you will have that mindset in the next life. If you are grumpy in this life, you will be grumpy in the next, and so forth. Jesus knew that His hour had come and knew that He was going to be dying for the Sins of all mankind.

Jesus looks to the heavens and says; “Father, glorify thy name.” (John 12:28) Then a voice from heaven came down saying; “…I have both glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (John 12:28) Jesus explains to the crowd that the voice came down, for their benefit and not for the benefit of Jesus. This was another sign that was given to the believers. Many of the chief priests also believed that Jesus was the Christ, however; “…they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43) and because they loved the praise of man more than God, they did not want to lose their influence over the people. The chief priests saw Jesus taking their glory and they wanted it all. We can learn from this, by wanting spiritual things, instead of wanting the things of the world.

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Psalms 148-150

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Psalms 148-150

Chapter 148: Let All Things Praise God

Let all things praise the Lord; men, angels, heavenly bodies, the elements and the earth. For the Lord created all things and deserves the praise from all.

Chapter 149: Praise the Lord

“Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of the saints… Let the saints be joyful in glory.” (Psalms 149: 1,5)

We need to always praise the Lord and those who are part of His true Church ‘the saints’ will be filled with glory.

Chapter 150: Praise God Everywhere

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalms 150:6) Praise the Lord! Simple, yet true.David prays for Fair Judgment

Psalms 146-147

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Psalms 146-147

Chapter 146: Happy are those in the Lord

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help…” (Psalms 146:5) Again, we see that those who have the Lord in their lives will ALWAYS be happier than the people who don’t. Simple truth.

Chapter 147: Praise the Lord for His power

The Lord “…healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalms 147:3) The Lord’s “…understanding is infinite.” (Psalms 147:5) Therefore He knows how to heal us, He is on our side and with us always.David prays for Fair Judgment

 

Psalms 107-108

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Psalms 107-108

Chapter 107: Oh that man would praise the Lord!

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalms 107: 8, 15, 21, and 31)

                This EXACT verse is repeated 4 times through this Psalm, putting emphasis on praising the Lord and how simple it would be that if everyone did that!

This Psalm continues to talk about how the fool who sins will be lifted up; “Fools because of their transgression… are afflicted… they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them…” (Psalms 107:17-19)

We need to remember that even in our darkest hour… the Lord is there to save us from our troubles, if we LET HIM! “Whoso is wise… shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.” (Psalms 107:43) Just remember that the Lord loves us all and we are unwise to think that He doesn’t love us.

Chapter 108: David Praises God

A Song or Psalm of David

                David praises the Lord and tells us that Judah (through Christ) is the Lord’s lawgiver. With God we can tread down our enemies!

 

Psalms 95-96

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Psalms 95-96

Chapter 95: Praise the Lord

This Psalm opens with an invitation to “…sing unto the Lord… to come unto his presence with thanksgiving… For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” (Psalms 95:1-3)

As we continue to read we learn about the Israelites and how they failed to enter into his rest when they tempted the Lord in the wilderness, which led to 40 years of pain, because they did not “…know my [The Lord’s] ways:” (Psalms 95:10)

Chapter 96: The Lord shall Judge His People

Sing praises unto the Lord and “Declare his glory among the heathen… he is to be feared above all gods.” (Psalms 96:3-4) We need to not only praise the Lord but bring offerings unto him.  For the Lord “…he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness…” (Psalms 96:13)

 

Psalms 71-72

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Psalms 71-72

Chapter 71: Praises of Thanksgiving

David praises the Lord with thanksgiving and asks who is like unto the Lord?

“…thou art my rock and my fortress.” (Psalms 71:3)

David also tells the Lord that when he is “…old and grayheaded… forsake me not…” (Psalms 71:18)

With the Lord David can gain his strength and be lifted from his troubles.

Chapter 72: Solomon a Type of Christ

A Psalm for Solomon.

                The whole earth is filled with the glory of the Lord. David describes Solomon as a type of Christ whom shall have dominion over the earth until the sun and moon cease to give light. The kings of Tarnishs and the sisles shall bring presents to him and the kings of Sheba will bring him gifts.

 

1 Chronicles 15-16

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1 Chronicles 15-16

Chapter 15: David Prepares the Ark of the Lord

David build himself houses in the City of David and prepares a place for the Ark in the city of David and pitches a tent for it. David tells everyone that NO ONE should carry the ark, except the Levites.

David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had prepared for it, and assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:

The sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren, 120.

The sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren, 220.

The  sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren, 130.

The sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren, 200.

The sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren.

The sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren, 212.

David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, and said unto them, “…Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.” (1 Chronicles 15:12)

So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. So the children of the Levites took the ark of God upon their shoulders. David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint some men to be the singers with instruments, sounding and by lifting up the voice with joy. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the porters.

So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass; And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth; And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel. And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

And Shebaniah, Jehoshaphat, Nethaneel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests,blew on  trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed-edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark. So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obed-edom with joy.

David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and therefore Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. As the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul was looking out the window and saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

Chapter 16: People Sacrifice and Praise the Lord

Israel brings the ark of God, and set it in the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. David also blessed the people in the name of the Lord, and he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.

Then on that day David delivered a psalm of thanks to the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.  Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 16:8-36)

So David left the ark of the covenant of the Lord Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required: And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

Judges 5-6

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Judges 5-6

Chapter 5: Song of Praise

Deborah and Barak sing a song of Praise because of the deliverance of Israel from the Canaanite bondage.

This chapter is all poetry. I highly recommend anyone reading this to read the passages for yourself. It essentially summarizes what happens in the previous chapters and talks about how God should be praised and the Israelites should follow the commandments. Because of Deborah and Sisera they were freed from the bondage of the Canaanites. (of course because of the hand of God in using Deborah and Sisera the Israelites are free).

Chapter 6: Overthrowing the Altar of Baal

Again the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and they are placed into bondage for under the Midianites for seven years.

The Lord hears the cries of the Israelites and sends a prophet. An angel of the Lord appears under an oak tree in Ophrah. The son of Joash, Gideon was busy thrashing wheat by a winepress to avoid the Midianites. The angel appears t Gideon and tells him that the Lord is with him, and that he is a “…mighty man of valour.” (Judges 6:12). Gideon asks how the Lord is with him, when Israel is suffering and they are in bondage to the Midianites. He also asks the angel about the lack of miracles that their ancestors had spoken of when they were freed from bondage from the Egyptians. The Angel responds with something to the effect of, God has come to ask you for help, right? Kind of like saying, hey he is here now… so let’s just do it.

The Angel commands Gideon to take down the altars of Baal and grove. Gideon agrees and does it by night. After tarrying down the altars he makes a sacrifice with a young bullock on the newly erected altar to the Lord God.

The next morning everyone is wondering who took the altar down, they find out it is Gideon and go to Joash (his father) and demand that he come out of the house, because he must die. Joash however talks the people out of killing his son, by saying that if Baal really is a god, then let him fight his own battle. If he really is a god, he will kill Gideon himself.

The Midianites and a bunch of other groups gather together and come to the children of Israel (most likely to make war with them). Gideon is warned by God about this and he calls the Israelites together by blowing a trumpet. Gideon, however is a little confused and is not sure it is God that is really talking to him. So he devises a test to prove that it is God speaking with him.

Test #1:

Gideon takes wool fleece and places it on the floor. The next morning if the fleece is wet with dew, but the rest of the ground is dry he will trust God and do as he has asked in saving Israel. The next morning he finds that the ground is dry and the fleece is wet with dew as he wrings out the fleece making a bowl of water.

Test #2:

Gideon however is still unsure, so he makes up a second test. He does however ask God to not be upset with him for his constant asking for signs. Gideon performs the same test, but this time he wants the fleece to be dry and the ground to be wet. The next morning the ground is wet and the fleece is dry. This seems enough to convince Gideon and he agrees to do what God has asked him to do.