Read
Praise the Lord
1Shout praises to the Lord!
With all my heart
I will thank the Lord
when his people meet.
2The Lord has done
many wonderful things!
Everyone who is pleased
with God's marvelous deeds
will keep them in mind.
3Everything the Lord does
is glorious and majestic,
and his power to bring justice
will never end.
4The Lord God is famous
for his wonderful deeds,
and he is kind and merciful.
5He gives food to his worshipers
and always keeps his agreement
with them.
6He has shown his mighty power
to his people
and has given them the lands
of other nations.
7God is always honest and fair,
and his laws can be trusted.
8They are true and right
and will stand forever.
9God rescued his people,
and he will never break
his agreement with them.
He is fearsome and holy.
10 Respect and obey the Lord!
This is the first step
to wisdom and good sense.
God will always be respected.
Reflect
The opening “Praise the Lord” is actually the Hebrew Hallelu Yah – or Hallelujah as we would write it – which identifies this as a hymn of Praise.
This hymn is a circular movement – from praise to reverence to wisdom and back to praise. The expression of praise flows from a heart of gratitude for God’s mighty acts. This leads to reverence (fear of the Lord) which leads to wisdom which leads back to praise.
The difficulty for most of us is the phrase “the fear of the Lord.” In Scripture, “Fear of the Lord” is not fear as we know it – that paralyzes and separates – but rather it means an awesome reverence.
We can easily see why gratitude for the mighty acts of God would bring reverence and adoration. But it’s not so obvious how “fear of the Lord” – or adoration for God – brings wisdom. The truth is that we always want to be near the people we adore. We want to hear them, learn from them and be like them. And we all know that we become like the people we spend time with. So, because God is the source of wisdom, the more we revere God, adore God, hear God’s Word, the more we grow like him and absorb his wisdom.
We have an advantage David didn’t. Since Jesus came to live on earth, it is even easier to absorb wisdom, because we can see wisdom being lived out. As we draw near to Jesus, adore him, learn from him and grow more like him – we will gain wisdom and follow his ways.
And, not only do we have Jesus as a model of wisdom, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to reveal God’s wisdom.
If David could shout Hallelujah!! how much more can we!!
Respond
Lord, with everything in this world that clamors for my attention and affection, help me to make you the primary object of my adoration for I know that is the only path to true wisdom. Amen.
Lynn Smith
Lynn served Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto as Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Development where leadership development became the focus of her involvement with students. After retiring, she co-founded NextLEVEL Leadership, an International organization focused on encouraging Christian women to develop in their leadership roles in the marketplace, profession or ministry. Her passion for seeing others grow in their leadership confidence has inspired her to teach and mentor wherever God calls. Publications: Gender or Giftedness: a Challenge to rethink the basis for leadership within the Faith Community; Mentoring: Leaving a Legacy; Fred's Not Here - Living with Alzheimer Disease takes Courage