Praise

Praise waits for Thee, O God in Sion: and unto Thee shall the vow be performed.                       ~   Psalm 65:1

The word “waits” in this verse can be translated “is silent”.  This seems strange due to the fact that praise is to be any thing but silent.  But this scripture is presenting a picture of  a lion who is silently waiting to pounce upon his prey.  That’s what we’re to be like when we come into the house of God.  We’re to be just waiting to spring forth in praise to God!  What a hugh difference it would make in the anointing in our meetings if everyone came with this attitude.

The story is told about Smith Wigglesworth who once made everyone present in a meeting leave and come back in praising the Lord.  One lady who was present in that meeting remarked years later about how powerful that meeting was.  The psalmist of old told us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise”.  Simple obedience to God’s commands will always produce remarkable results.  Let’s all do a better job at entering His gates!

O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.          ~   Psalm 95:1

Perhaps you might be intimidated to praise God loudly, especially when others are around.  But this verse, and many others like it, reveal that it is scriptural to praise God loudly.  This verse tells us that we’re to make a joyful noise.  A joyful noise is one you can hear!  When you hear people who are joyful they are making some noise.

Look at the meaning of these seven Hebrew words for praising God:  1) Yadah ~ extending the hands vigorosly, 2) Towdah ~ extending the hands, acting out thanksgiving, 3) Halal ~ to be clear, to shine, to boast, to show, to rave, to celebrate, to be clamorously foolish, 4) Shabach ~ to shout loudly, 5) Barak ~ to kneel, to bless God, to bow down, 6) Zamar ~ to touch the strings, mostly rejoicing, 7) Tehillah ~ to sing praises.

These words reveal that we are to praise God vigorously!