The Power of Praise
Today's Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16
1So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.
2And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
3And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.
4And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
5Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
6Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
7Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
8Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
13O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
16Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
17And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
19When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
20And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
23Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
24Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
25For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
26For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
27Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
28Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
29Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
33Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
34O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35And 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.
36Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
37So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:
38And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
39And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;
41And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;
42And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.
43And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
Today's Scripture Meaning:
The solemnity with which the ark was fixed. (1-6) David's psalm of praise. (7-36) Setting in order the worship of God. (37-43)
Verses 1-6: Though God's word and ordinances may be clouded and eclipsed for a time, they shall shine out of obscurity. This was but a tent, a humble dwelling, yet this was the tabernacle which David, in his psalms, often speaks of with so much affection. David showed himself generous to his subjects, as he had found God gracious to him. Those whose hearts are enlarged with holy joy, should show it by being open-handed.
Verses 7-36: Let God be glorified in our praises. Let others be edified and taught, that strangers to him may be led to adore him. Let us ourselves triumph and trust in God. Those that give glory to God's name are allowed to glory in it. Let the everlasting covenant be the great matter of our joy his people of old, be remembered by us with thankfulness to him. Show forth from day to day his salvation, his promised salvation by Christ. We have reason to celebrate that from day to day; for we daily receive the benefit, and it is a subject that can never be exhausted. In the midst of praises, we must not forget to pray for the servants of God in distress.
Verses 37-43: The worship of God ought to be the work of every day. David put it into order. At Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were to minister before the ark continually, with songs of praise. No sacrifices were offered there, nor incense burnt, because the altars were not there; but David's prayers were directed as incense, and the lifting up of his hands as the evening sacrifice. So early did spiritual worship take place of ceremonial. Yet the ceremonial worship, being of Divine institution, must by no means be omitted; therefore at Gibeon, at the altars, the priests attended; for their work was to sacrifice and burn incense; and that they did continually, morning and evening, according to the law of Moses. As the ceremonies were types of the mediation of Christ, the observance of them was of great consequence. The attendance of his appointed ministers is right in itself, and encourages the people.
Today's Scripture Application
Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of 1 Chronicles with Chapter 16 and we see David giving praise to Lord delivering a Psalm of Thanksgiving. This song of praise had 4 elements of true thanksgiving 1) a remembering of what God had done 2) a telling to others about it 3) a showing of God's glory to others, and 4) offering ones self, time, and resources to God. In making application we see the importance of giving praise to the Lord. Praise exalts the Savior, shares His goodness with others, and places us in a humble position of who God is in our lives. David realized the power of Praise and as he exalted the Savior and became a man after Gods' own heart. How about you? Do you see that Praise knits our hearts together with the Lord? Let us learn from our text today and the life of David to be reminded to Praise the Lord as it unleashes His Power in our liv
