SING UNTO THE LORD A SONG OF PRAISE

PROCLAMATION

“He said: ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.  He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior; from violent people You save me.  I called to The Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.’”  2 Samuel 22:2-4 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

This is the song of praise which David spoke or sang unto The Lord after He delivered him from the hand of his enemies, out of the hand of Saul.  The words are almost identical to the words of Psalm 18 and most of the Bible scholars believe that these words were written in his old age.  This was David’s public expression before the congregation of Israel of his gratitude  for his deliverance from his enemies.  It was written and sung to give praise, honor and glory to The Lord God.

APPLICATION

We have all been in a bad situation which The Lord God delivered us out of or through.  We may not be able to compose a song of praise to The Lord, and we may not be able to sing the words of a song of praise in the proper key.  However, the Bible teaches us that we should “make a joyful noise” unto The Lord. (Psalm 66:1, Psalm 81:1, Psalm 95:1-2, Psalm 98:4, and Psalm 100:1)  We can read out loud the words of this psalm of praise, or some other psalm of praise, to give God glory.  As believers we should not have to be told to praise The Lord, we should do that daily.

KEEP A PSALM OR SONG OF PRAISE IN YOUR HEART

Proclamation:

“… Sing and make music from your heart to The Lord, always giving thanks to God, The Father, for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Ephesus.  He begins this chapter by telling them to walk in love, just as Christ loved them. (Ephesians 5:1-2)  Then he tells them to avoid improper behavior. (Ephesians 5:3-6)  He also tells them to let no one deceive them or lead them into darkness for they are children of the light. (Ephesians 5:6-14)  He warns them to be very careful about how they live. (Ephesians 5:15-18)  Then he encourages them to be “filled with The Spirit” and to sing from their heart unto The Lord, always giving thanks for everything. (Ephesians 5:18-20)  He ends the chapter with instructions for Christian households, explaining how husbands and wives should treat one another. (Ephesians 5:21-33)

Application:

Paul encouraged the believers to speak to one another with “psalms, hymns, and songs from The Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:19)  The best way for us to do this is to have a psalm or song of praise in our heart as we interact with one another.  As believers we all have a reason to sing for joy, regardless of our present situation. (James 1:2)  We ought to always be thankful for everything, because all things work together for our good. (Romans 8:28)