Praise and Thanksgiving

Always and in Everything

When did David say he would bless the Lord?

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” “Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.” Psalm 34:1; 145:2. 

In how many things should we give thanks?

“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18.

When and how much should we give thanks?

“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20.

Into what condition did those lapse anciently who failed to glorify God and to be thankful?

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”  Romans 1:21. 

What element should enter into all our worship?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6. (See Colossians 4:2.)

Exalting God’s Name

What do those do who offer praise?

“He who sacrifices thank offering honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of the Lord.” Psalm 50:23.

What does the psalmist warn all to do?

“My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3.

Where does he say he will praise the Lord?

“From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.” Psalm 22:25.

Personal Testimony

What personal experience does he say he will declare in the hearing of all who fear God?

“Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”

Psalm 66:16.

What effect do such testimonies have upon the humble?

“My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.” Psalm 34:2. 

The Psalmist’s Final Warning

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with strings and flute, praise him with the clash of the cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” Psalm 150.

Thanksgiving in Song

How early in the world’s history do we read of singing?

“Where your you when I laid the Earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” Job 38:4-7. 

What did Israel do when delivered from Egypt?

“The Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song; he is my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:1,2.

How did the angels manifest their joy at Christ’s birth?

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13,14. 

Counsel on Acceptable Singing

How are we told to come before the Lord?

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:2.

(See also 2 Chronicles 29:30.)

How did the psalmist say God regards such service?

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him in thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.” Psalm 69:30,31.

What instruction did Paul give concerning singing?

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16.  (See also Ephesians 5:19; James 5:13; Psalm 149:5,6.)

Note – Music, like poetry and flowers, is elevating and refining in its nature, and should thereafter have its place in the worship of God, and in the life and experience of God’s people. It is adapted to every mood and feeling of the human soul, and many times has reached hearts when other means have failed. Next to prayer, music seems to be best adapted to worship.

“The history of the songs of the Bible is full of suggestion as to the uses and benefits of music and song. Music is often perverted to serve purposes of evil, and it thus becomes one of the most alluring agencies of temptation. But rightly employed, it is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul. As the children of Israel, journeying through the wilderness, cheered their way by the music of sacred song, so God bids His children today gladdens their pilgrim life. There are few means more effective for fixing His words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such songs have wonderful power. It has the power to subdue rude and uncultivated sympathy, to promote harmony of action, and to banish the gloom and foreboding that destroy courage and weaken effort.” E.G. White, Education pp. 167, 168. 

Music of the Future

In vision, what instrument did John see the saints have?

“They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2.

And what song are they to sing?

“And sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: Great and marvelous are your deeds. Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Verse 3. (See Psalms 87:7.)

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