September 23, 2007pm   Why should you?   Psalm 113

By Ronald E. George Jr.  at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

Why should you praise the Lord? 

Sincere Flattery?

A curmudgeon on British publishing finally decided to retire at age 70. He was given the usual dinner. Associates, joyous at the prospect of his leaving, vied in elaborate praise. When the time came to respond, the old gentleman got up and said, “I had no idea I was held in such esteem. I shall stay on.”  —Eugene Exman^[1]

PRAISE from Nelsons Bible Dictionary— an act of worship or acknowledgment by which the virtues or deeds of another are recognized and extolled. The praise of one human being toward another, although often beneficial (1 Cor. 11:2; 1 Peter 2:14), can be a snare (Prov. 27:21; Matt. 6:1–5). But the praise of God toward people is the highest commendation they can receive. Such an act of praise reflects a true servant’s heart (Matt. 25:21; 1 Cor. 4:5; Eph. 1:3–14).

Our praise toward God is the means by which we express our joy to the Lord. We are to praise God both for who He is and for what He does (Ps. 150:2). Praising God for who He is is called adoration; praising Him for what He does is known as thanksgiving. Praise of God may be in song or prayer, individually or collectively, spontaneous or prearranged, originating from the emotions or from the will.

The godly person will echo David’s words, “My praise shall be continually of You . . . And [I] will praise You yet more and more” (Ps. 71:6, 14).^[2]

Psalm 113 ^1 Praise the Lord.^a Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. ^2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. ^3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets ,the name of the Lord is to be praised. ^4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. ^5 Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, ^6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? ^7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; ^8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. ^9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord. ^[3]

Why? 

1.      We are his servants. 

2.      We want to praise the Lord. 

3.      The name of the Lord is forevermore. 

4.      We want to do good to Him who has done well to us.  He has blessed us. 

5.      We praise him from the rising of his sun to the setting of the same.  He makes the sun and then he makes it to rise and to set each and every day.  So that we may live.

6.      The Lord is high above all nations.  He is above all in every aspect of his character.  He glory is above us all and all the earth. 

7.      There is no one like the Lord. He is the one and only true living God. 

8.      He looks down from the heavens on the heavens and the earth.  He cares enough to watch for us.

9.      He cares about the poor.  Who else cares for the downcast of society?  Where do we get their idea of reaching out to help others? 

10. He lifts them up from the ash heap.  What are they doing in the ash heap?  They are looking for something to eat.  He puts the poor of the earth in great heavenly positions.  Why?  Because he can and because he wants to.  He is the great equalizer.  He puts them in positions with those who are rich. 

11. He gives the barren woman a home.  So that she may live.  He makes her the joyous mother of children. 

12. We want to praise the Lord because we can.  We were created to be his children and praise his name.  He is our God. 

13. Praise the Lord.  Lift up his name.  We will live with Him and for Him.  Where else can we turn? 

14. Why do you want to praise the Lord?  What do you want to praise the Lord for? 

15. Let us praise him with our lips and our life.