A Life of Praise

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.
Psalm 145:1-2, 21 NIV*

The active words in this psalm include “tell, speak, commend, meditate, proclaim, celebrate, sing, praise, extol.” And it’s all about God: His works, splendour, majesty, goodness, righteousness, graciousness, compassion, faithfulness, love, help, nearness, justice….

King David says he’ll praise God every day and declare His praise for ever and ever. The Apostle John says if we tried to write down everything Jesus did on earth, the world couldn’t hold all the books. (John 21:25)

This psalm first caught my attention before we went on holiday, and I was glad to find a copy of David Crowder’s book, Praise Habit, in a New York City Borders. More about the book later, but this is what he says about praise: “We have put on Christ. We are found dressed in His rescue, redemption, and righteousness and, aware of this rescue, we spew forth praise. We wear this very rescue into our relationships, into our interactions….”**

That’s how I want to live. Thanking Him for my daily food, enjoying solitude with Him, are part of it but not enough. I want to not only meditate on what He has done, but tell others—and hear them tell me what He’s done in their lives. That encourages our faith and invites others to trust Him.

Father, I don’t praise You enough. Please forgive me and change me. Please help me focus more on who You are and what You do—and help me share You with others. Open my eyes to see Your touch around me. Give me a delight in You that is natural and irrepressible and contagious. And bring glory to Your Name through the praise of Your people.

This week’s song is “Be Unto Your Name“, written by Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler and performed here by Robin Mark.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

**David Crowder, Praise Habit, TH1NK Books, 2004, page 38.

2 thoughts on “A Life of Praise

  1. Belinda

    Dear Joanna,
    A couple of weeks ago our church had a table at the back with free books for people to take home if they wanted them. I brought home a little pink book written in 1973 by a pastor named Judson Cornwall. ,Its title is, Let Us Praise. I started to read it and instantly knew that it would be a transformative book. Wow, it is awesome.

    When I Googled the name Dr. Judson Cornwall, I discovered that he died in 2005, known for his teaching on how to praise God. His obituary said that “His wife, Eleanor and daughter Tina were at bedside singing “Into Thy Presence We Come” and he left as they sang.”

    What a wonderful man and a wonderful passage.

    Reply
  2. joannamallory

    I’ll have to keep my eye out for that book, Belinda. What a lovely passing Dr. Cornwall had — it says something about how he lived. I’m glad his book blessed you.

    Reply

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