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Praise        by Phil Kinney


Praise (Hebrew: halal) (Psalms 146:1, 10; 147:1; 149:3; 150:1, 6) Strong’s #1984: The verb halal is a common Hebrew word for praise. It may be used to exalt human beauty (Song 6:9), a virtuous wife (Prov. 31:30), or a wise man (Prov. 12:8), but most frequently halal is used to praise God. It often occurs in the imperative, expressing an exhortation or command: “Praise!” (135:1) or “Praise Him” (150:2). The most familiar example of the imperative is halleluyah (meaning “Praise the Lord!”; see 146:1; 150:6), a combination of halal and the divine name Yah. 

The last five psalms present a climax to the praises contained in the Book of Psalms, commanding praise to the Almighty God, the Creator of the universe by:
•        believers (145:10),
•        the Israelites (149:2),
•        the angels (148:2),
•        Jerusalem itself (147:12),
•        the heavens (148:1),
•        and finally every being that has breath (150:6) 

What is Praise?

Praise to God is what we offer in acknowledgement of God's excellent being. You might think that praise is the same as saying "thank you," but there is a difference. Thanksgiving describes our attitude toward what God has done, while praise is offered for who God is. Psalm 18:3 says "I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise…" 

       NAME                                      MEANING
a.        Jehovah Tsidkenu            “God is my Righteousness” (Jer 23:6)          
b.        Jehovah M’kaddesh        “God is my Sanctification” (Lev 20:80
c.        Jehovah Shalom               “God is my Peace” (Judg 6:24)
d.        Jehovah Shammah          “God is Present with me” (Eze 48:35)
e.        Jehovah Rophe                 “God is my Healer” (Ex 15:26)
f.        Jehovah Jireh                     “God is my Provider” (Gen 22:14)
g.        Jehovah Nissi                     “God is my Banner” (Ex 17:15)
h.        Jehovah Rohi                     “God is my Shepherd (Ps 23:1)


All believers are commanded to praise God! In fact, Isaiah 43:21 explains that praise is one reason we were created, "This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise." Hebrews 13:15 confirms this: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name."

So now we know what is praise is, and that we are suppose to do it, and that God likes us doing it...... but what does it do here on earth.....?

Praise was a major part of many victories in the Bible. The walls of Jericho came crashing down, giving victory to God's people, as a result of shouts of praise (Joshua 6:1-21). The prison doors shook open when Paul and Silas praised God (Acts 16:25-26). Praise is a powerful weapon.

In the building of the tabernacles and tent of meeting in the Old Testament we see the power and presence of God poured out.

In Exodus 40 Moses builds a tent as a tabernacle – a place to meet in praise and worship toward God. Upon completion there was a dedication time which would have included praise to God for who He is. As the people praise God His presence descends and fills the place so much, Moses can’t enter the tent because the glory, power and presence of God is so strong. The presence of God over the tent was used to guide the people through their desert wanderings. When they set up camp the tent of God was central to the set up, indicating the central place of God in their lives – that His praise was their first point of call.

In 1 Kings 8 we read of the second temple built by Solomon. At the point of Solomon dedicating this temple, again this would have involved praise for who God was, declaring His greatness. As the priests lead the people in this praise the temple is filled with the presence of God, so much so the priests could not continue ministering because the presence of glory of God in the temple was so strong.

In both these accounts we see the power or praise, in that it invokes the presence of God into the temple so much so, that those around cannot help but submit to the power of the presence of God – they cannot continue on with what they were doing but rather are overcome by the presence and glory of God.

1 Corinthians 6: 19 says "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."

 Your body is the new temple of God. The Holy Spirit dwells within you. In the passage Paul is saying flee from sin and run to God. How do we run to God so sin does not overtake us? Praise! We take the time to praise Him for who he, for what he has done in our lives, for His presence in our lives, His goodness towards us and so on. And do we not live under a better and new covenant with God. So if praise in the old temple brought about an overwhelming presence of God, imagine what praise in the new temple – our bodies, will bring about. You have the potential to influence and change not only your life, but the lives of those you meet every day by being a praiser of God. You don’t have to be in a building on a Sunday to praise God – that’s good and it encourage us, inspires us and pleases God who has commanded us not to neglect meeting together. But this is just bricks mortar and a bit of wood and carpet. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit – you are the temple of God. And you can praise God anywhere you are and at any time. And as you praise God he will meet with you and His glorious presence will overwhelm you as He is pleased with your focus on Him.

And it will change your appearance and countenance so that others around you will look and notice the difference in your life. You will no longer lack confidence when God is all over you. God’s presence will change how you see yourself, it will change how you act and think, you will overcome temptation and sin by the power and presence of God. You will find yourself saying nice things to other people, encouraging them. You’ll be a happier person, someone others want to be around, and they will say to you – what has happened to you, and you will have the opportunity to change their life as well as yours because God is central to your life like He was for Moses.

Lady feeling depressed – liked taking photos – decided to take a photo everyday of something she was liked as was thankful for. Liked smell of cut grass so took a photo of a moved lawn etc. End of the year depression had lifted.




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