Pastor column: Praise the Lord, and here are the reasons why

Psalms 113-118 comprise what are known as the “Hallel Psalms.” The word "Hallel" simply means “to praise.” This group of Psalms were sung during Passover, reflecting back to the Lord's deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt. I think we can correctly assume Jesus and His disciples sang these Psalms when they celebrated Passover just before Jesus went to the cross.

Psalm 113 stands as a call and a challenge for the people of God to be involved in His praise. Verse 1 calls us to lift our hearts and our voices in praise because of who God is. “Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord!” Praise is pleasing to the Lord. This psalm gives us the reasons why.

Praise, O servants of the Lord because of His Glory. First, “The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens” (vs. 4). He is exalted. God is greater than all the glory of the nations. He is greater than all the glories of Heaven.

Second, “Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high?” (vs. 5). He is exceptional. There is none like Him. Where are the dead and forgotten gods of Egypt, Greece and Rome? They are all gone away into forgetfulness. No, there is none like the Lord. He is beyond our comprehension!

Third, “Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? (vs. 6). He is extraordinary. Our amazing God cares about you and me. As the old hymn says, “Oh, His eye is on the sparrow … Oh yes, I know He watches me.” Surely, His glory is a constant theme for praise!

Praise, O servants of the Lord because of His Greatness. “He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes − with the princes of His people” (vs. 7-8). The Lord takes us like He finds us and then He transforms us. He doesn't lift us out half way and then leave us to finish the job. He changes us all the way (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Because of His Greatness “He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children” (vs. 9).Here a childless woman is used to illustrate despair and distress. He can take the barrenness of our lives that has been caused by sin and He can cause us to bring forth fruit for His glory (John 15:5). The fact He would lift us up out of our wretched condition and then use us for His glory makes Him worthy of our praise.

Would you agree with the Psalmist that the Lord is worthy of our praise? Is He getting the praise He deserves from your life? Let’s all determine in our hearts we will praise Him. He is worthy and He deserves all the praise we can give Him.

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Hallel Psalms reflect why God is worthy of praise