Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!1
We often hear the expression, ‘Praise the LORD!’ And at church during worship songs, we praise him—even it if means going through the motions, as we are often distracted; have you ever experienced this loss of focus? Thus, a weightier word is used, extol. Extol means to exalt, to magnify, to glorify, to celebrate, to praise enthusiastically. Perhaps like how David danced before the LORD with all his might, unashamed when they brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with shouts and the sound of the horn.2
Why must we praise the LORD? Because of his steadfast love toward us, and his faithfulness that endures forever. You may want to recall milestones, breakthroughs; even times when God seemingly didn’t answer your desire only to realize that he was protecting you or that he had something greater in store for you—his will is always good, pleasing, perfect.3
Is our praise limited at church gatherings? How may we extol the LORD daily? By prioritizing God. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . .4 For without faith it is impossible to please him.5 By trusting God. Believe the good news: if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. . . .6 By abiding in Jesus. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself . . . .7 (Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth . . .8). By endearing what God endears. Consider what is an abomination to him—a false balance,9 those of crooked heart,10 lying lips,11 the sacrifice and way of the wicked,12 he who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous.13 BUT he endears those who walk in the same way that Jesus walked.14
The most important of all, we extol the LORD by loving him and loving others. ‘. . . . And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ . . . ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’15 We love because he first loved us.16 I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.17
Moses summarizes what the LORD our God requires of us? To fear the LORD our God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve him, and to keep his commandments and statutes.18
From beginning to end, praise the LORD!
Notes:
1. Psalm 117:1-2
2. 2 Samuel 6:12-15
3. Romans 12:2
4. Matthew 6:33
5. Hebrews 11:6
6. Romans 10:9-10
7. John 15:1-11
8. Deuteronomy 8:17-19
9. Proverbs 11:1, 20:23
10. Proverbs 11:20
11. Proverbs 12:22
12. Proverbs 15:8, 9
13. Proverbs 17:15
14. 1 John 2:6
15. Mark 12:29-31
16. 1 John 4:19
17. Psalm 116:1-2
18. Deuteronomy 10: 12-13
