n.
2. The extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero.
1. Expression of approval, commendation, or admiration.
3. Archaic A reason for praise; merit.
tr.v. praised, praising, praises
2. To extol or exalt; worship.
1. To express warm approbation of, commendation for, or admiration for.
Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
—Psalm 149:1-5
The ways we praise has changed so much over the years. Many times what is simply a preference of a few ends up being doctrine when that few are in a position of power. And these few have a great impact on what is considered acceptable praise for us all.
It takes a good deal of tolerance to accept ways of praise that are different from the status quo in our own circles.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.
By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.
In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.
All praise to Thee, who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.
Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.
Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.
I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.
I’ve purposely left off the last stanza of this song to give you a bit of it’s history.
The words to this song were written by Thomas Ken,in 1674. (Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Scholars of Winchester College), Ken wrote this hymn at a time when the established church believed only Scripture should be sung as hymns—with an emphasis on the Psalms.
Some considered it sinful and blasphemous to write new lyrics for church music, akin to adding to the Scriptures. In that atmosphere, Ken wrote this and several other hymns for the boys at Winchester College, with strict instructions that they use them only in their rooms, for private devotions. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/r/praisegf.htm
How sad that this wonderful song was withheld from the world. The beautiful words are indeed a prayer of praise.
Morning Hymn, François H. Barthélémon, 1785 (MIDI, score). Barthélémon wrote music for these words, at the request of an orphanage chaplain in London; it was first published in A Supplement to the Hymns and Psalms Used at the Asylum or House of Refuge for Female Orphans, printed for William Gawler, organist to the Asylum (London: circa 1785). http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/w/awakemys.htm
Now, that last stanza…..
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Ironically, the last stanza has come into widespread use as the Doxology, perhaps the most frequently used piece of music in public worship. At Ken’s request, the hymn was sung at his funeral, fittingly held at sunrise.http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/r/praisegf.htm
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
—Psalm 150:1-6
It’s very possible that those objecting to any but the most circumscribed methods of praise and worship did not read the bible they thought they were upholding. I thank God we can praise God with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
I'm also grateful that we can worship in a gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:11-12 (New International Version)
11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!
No comments:
Post a Comment