Psalm 100:1-4 Praise To-Do List To-do lists. Every household has them. It might be on a dry erase board that magnetically hangs on the refrigerator. Or maybe it is on a chalkboard that hangs on a wall in the kitchen. It could even be on a posted note that is stuck to the steering of your car or to the mirror in your bathroom. Whatever and wherever they may be, to-do lists are important. They remind us of what we need to do so we do not forget, such as having the oil changed in the car, picking up the dry cleaning, and going to the grocery store. To-do lists insure we do not forget what needs to be done. In the 100th Psalm, the Psalmist gives us a praise to-do list. On this list are 5 reminders concerning praise. 5 things that need to be understood and done when giving praise. Verses 1-4 of that Psalm says, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” First on the list is “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD.” When this text is read, most often is understood to refer to singing. However, the Hebrew word for “joyful noise” is “ruwa” (roo-ah’). It means “to shout for joy.” It refers to a shout of joy that comes from the very depths of your being. Whenever burdens are lifted, doesn’t it make you want to leap for joy? Doesn’t it cause you to want to shout praises of thanks for what God has done for you? That is what the Psalmist is talking about. Second on the list is “Serve the LORD with gladness.” The scripture does not say, “Serve the church,” nor does it say, “Serve the pastor.” It says, "Serve the Lord." If you go to a restaurant, and the waitress, or waiter, frowning, constantly grumbling, and slamming the plates down on the table, your experience at that restaurant is ruined. God does not want people serving Him who have bad attitudes, their work is not productive or of a good quality. He wants willing, cheerful people who want to serve Him with gladness in their hearts. “Come before his presence with singing,” is third on the list. Singing usually reflects a person’s attitude or demeanor. If an individual is full of joy, that person’s singing will have enthusiasm and conviction. If an individual is full of sorrow, that person’s singing will be bitter and lackluster. Music was designed by God to be an emotional response to Him. Lifting our hearts in song-filled praise should ever be our response to God for His many blessings. “Know ye that the LORD he is God,” is fourth on the praise to-do list. The Hebrew word for “know” means “to acknowledge.” We are to acknowledge that the Lord is God. We are to acknowledge His authority and His sovereignty. If we fail to recognize God and who He is, we fail to give Him thanks. The fifth and last reminder on the praise to-do list is “Enter his gates with thanksgiving.” Most often, this is viewed as a reference to church worship. However, the Hebrew word for “gates” refers to the entrance of a city, or public place. These words imply public areas outside of places of worship. God’s presence is not limited to the church. You are in His presence at work. You are in His presence at home. The walk and talk of our daily lives should ever exude thanks because no matter where we are, we are in the presence of God. Each day should begin with a look at the praise to-do list. We should check it to remind ourselves that each day that we live should be a day of praise to God.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 12:30:00 +0000
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