197. FOR HIS NAME ALONE IS EXCELLENT

(The Information & Edification Series – Batch 4)

In Luke 19:37-40, it says of Jesus:

• “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and PRAISE GOD WITH A LOUD VOICE for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.“

This scripture reminds us that rejoicing and praising God for all that he has done in our lives and who he is, should be at the centre of the lifestyle of every believer. Yet, I am not convinced that we praise God enough.

He is so great, so mighty and so good, that our entire lives should be spent in song, singing his praises upon the housetops, letting people know (saved and unsaved alike), of what he has done for our souls.

Sometimes we can be so busy praising ourselves and others, that we don’t give God the praise, honour, glory and thanksgiving that HE is DUE. We take so much of his daily blessings for granted, as a given, as no big deal and often forget to praise Him.

This reminds me of what happened with the ten lepers who sought Jesus’ help for healing. When Jesus healed them, with the exception of one, they all continued on their way without even thinking of returning to give him thanks for the miracle that he had worked. The one man who returned was a Samaritan. He was therefore most likely already considered as an outcast by the Jews, before he became a leper, due to who he was.

When that man saw that he was healed though, probably remembering the pain, the isolation, the loneliness, the ostracism, the fear of death and just the whole turmoil that he had been through in his condition, he was overwhelmed with such gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord for what he had done, that before even showing himself to the priest, he went back to the one who had healed him, to give God praise.

Luke 17:11-19 states of Jesus:

• “And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.

• And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and WITH A LOUD VOICE GLORIFIED GOD, AND FELL DOWN ON HIS FACE AT HIS FEET, GIVING HIM THANKS: and he was a Samaritan.

• And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? THERE ARE NOT FOUND THAT RETURNED TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Like that leper, when I consider all that I have been through in my life thus far, the ups, the downs, the pinnacles, the pains and how beautifully God has preserved me to date and how he has blessed me with life, health, eternal security as a believer, forgiveness when I have sinned against him and repented and so many other blessings that I never even deserved, I know that it is my duty but also my heartfelt joy, to praise him, to elevate his name above all other names and for my soul to make a boast IN HIM.

I know that I have been kept alive to praise him, to give him thanks and to sing of his goodness to others, near and far. Indeed, this God that I serve, He is so good and so great and his name so magnificent, that he cannot be kept secret. People need to know about him and that life begins with serving him, through acceptance of his Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we are therefore supposed to use EVERY opportunity we have, not to promote ourselves or others but to promote and glorify HIM. This is what he wants. This is what he rightly deserves. This is what the scriptures say abundantly that we ought to do, from hearts that are full of genuine gratitude and thankfulness!

If I were to give you just a glimpse into my story, I know what it is to suffer loneliness, heartbreak, dashed hopes, sickness, betrayal, ridicule, unemployment, nothing to eat and not a cent to my name (but then God miraculously provided). I know what it is to suffer attacks, abuse of different sorts, insults, condemnation, people’s hatred, ill-will and a vehement desire to see me fail.

I know what it is to have sinned against God grievously but then to have repented in godly sorrow and to receive his forgiveness. I know what it is to be chastened at his hand, severely, till I was brought to my knees in repentance and to get up, as empowered by HIM with more spiritual maturity and a whole new life perspective.

I know what it is to be in dangerous situations, for my life to be at risk and to see God’s hand preserve me and protect me from my enemies.

Yes, I know in some measure of what it is to be loved by a God like this, unconditionally and undeservedly.

NOW having been through all that I have been through and him proving on so many occasions that he loves me with an everlasting love, I genuinely have a desire, deep down in my soul, to PUBLICLY praise Him. Like that leper, that Samaritan, I desire to give God praise with a loud voice and to fall to his feet in thanksgiving. I have a desire to showcase his awesomeness, his grandeur, his grace and his power, to others.

Of a truth, it is the very reason for which I have been preserved. Now I live, to praise Him.

I have therefore resolved to give HIM the glory in EVERYTHING he takes me through. On the days of drought, I will praise him. On the days of plenty, I will praise him. On the days of good health, I will praise him and on the days of sickness, I will praise him. In my singleness, I will praise him and if he graces me with marriage and children one day (as I desire) and anything else in this life, I will point the glory to only HIM.

Why? Well for starters, I’ve been through too much to take anything that God does for me, for granted. I have learned over the years to appreciate every little thing he does in my life and the very breath he has kept in my nostrils. I was created and redeemed to WORSHIP him and that is the highest purpose to my existence. I will therefore look for EVERY opportunity I have been afforded, to do just that.

In my praise and gratitude, on 18th August 2019, while still going through a rough and lonely season in my life but deeply thankful to the Lord for all that he had done so far and all I was still trusting him to do in my life, I wrote the following poem:

• I’ve been long dismissed
• And left for dead
• But Jesus has POWER and He is the head.
• Above all principality and power and might
• He reached out in mercy and raised me up from my plight.
• He said he is THE resurrection and he is THE life.
• He brought wonderful peace
• Where there was mayhem and strife.
• He gave me a future
• When others thought I had none,
• So that through my praise
• HIS NAME would renown.

Having said all that I’ve just said, I have collated some beautiful scriptures on glorifying the name of the Lord and praising him with song and thanksgiving and I have listed them below. I DELIGHT in these scriptures because I feel like they tell my life story. They underscore how I feel about my Lord perfectly.

All of these precious verses are found in the book of Psalms and believe it or not, the verses that encourage us to praise the Lord and tell others about what he has done for us ARE ENDLESS!

God forbid that I should forget the goodness of my God and that I should fail to praise him. God forbid that my lips should ever be filled with complaint and not with thanksgiving. God forbid, that I should turn my back on my Lord and take all that he has done for me, is doing for me and will continue to do for me in the future, for granted. God forbid that I should be silent and refuse to sing.

For, the Word of God states:

“It is a good thing to GIVE THANKS unto the Lord, And to SING PRAISES unto thy name, O Most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, And thy faithfulness every night, UPON AN INSTRUMENT OF TEN STRINGS, AND UPON THE PSALTERY; UPON THE HARP WITH A SOLEMN SOUND. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through THY WORK: I will TRIUMPH in the works of THY HANDS. O Lord, how GREAT are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.” (Psalm 92:1-5)

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my SONG will I PRAISE him. The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.” (Psalm:28:7-8)

“Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord GLORY and strength. GIVE UNTO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE UNTO HIS NAME; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:1-2)

“I will EXTOL thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and THOU hast healed me. O Lord, THOU hast brought up my soul from the grave: THOU hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. SING unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and GIVE THANKS AT THE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS HOLINESS. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:1-5)

“Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: FOR PRAISE IS COMELY FOR THE UPRIGHT. PRAISE THE LORD WITH HARP: SING UNTO HIM WITH THE PSALTERY AND AN INSTRUMENT OF TEN STRINGS. SING UNTO HIM A NEW SONG; PLAY SKILFULLY WITH A LOUD NOISE.

For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord….For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let they mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” (Psalm 33:1-5, 21-22)

“I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES: HIS PRAISE SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH. MY SOUL SHALL MAKE HER BOAST IN THE LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O MAGNIFY THE LORD with me, and LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER.

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” (Psalm 34)

“GREAT IS THE LORD, AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” (Psalm 48:1-2)

“PRAISE waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.” (Psalm 65:1-2)

“MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO GOD, all ye lands: SING FORTH THE HONOUR OF HIS NAME: MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall SING unto thee; they shall SING to thy name. Selah.

COME AND SEE THE WORKS OF GOD: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. O BLESS OUR GOD, ye people, and MAKE THE VOICE OF HIS PRAISE TO BE HEARD: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah. COME AND HEAR, ALL YE THAT FEAR GOD, AND I WILL DECLARE WHAT HE HATH DONE FOR MY SOUL. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was EXTOLLED with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. BLESSED be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.” (Psalm 66)

“UNTO THEE, O GOD, DO WE GIVE THANKS, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare….For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another…But I WILL DECLARE FOR EVER; I WILL SING PRAISES TO THE GOD OF JACOB.” (Psalm 75:1,6-7,9)

“SING ALOUD UNTO GOD OUR STRENGTH: MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE GOD OF JACOB. Take a PSALM, and bring hither the TIMBREL, the pleasant HARP with the PSALTERY. Blow up the TRUMPET in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.” (Psalm 81:1-3)

“I will SING of the mercies of the Lord for ever: WITH MY MOUTH WILL I MAKE KNOWN THY FAITHFULNESS TO ALL GENERATIONS…For who in heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.” (Psalm 89:1,6-7)

“O come, let us SING unto the Lord: LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION. Let us come before his presence with THANKSGIVING, and make a JOYFUL NOISE unto him with PSALMS. For the Lord is a GREAT God, and a GREAT King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O COME, LET US WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN: let us KNEEL before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand…” (Psalm 95:1-7)

“O SING unto the Lord a new song: SING unto the Lord, all the earth. SING unto the Lord, BLESS his name; SHEW FORTH his salvation from day to day. DECLARE HIS GLORY AMONG THE HEATHEN, HIS WONDERS AMONG ALL PEOPLE. For the Lord is GREAT, and GREATLY TO BE PRAISED: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. HONOUR and MAJESTY are before him: STRENGTH and BEAUTY are in his sanctuary.

GIVE unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, GIVE UNTO THE LORD GLORY AND STRENGTH. GIVE UNTO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE UNTO HIS NAME: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O WORSHIP the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. SAY AMONG THE HEATHEN THAT THE LORD REIGNETH: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” (Psalm 96)

“O SING unto the Lord a new song; for HE HATH DONE MARVELLOUS THINGS: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD, all the earth: MAKE A LOUD NOISE, AND REJOICE, AND SING PRAISE. SING unto the Lord with the HARP; with the harp, And the voice of A PSALM. With TRUMPETS AND SOUND OF CORNET MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE BEFORE THE LORD, THE KING.

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” (Psalm 98)

“The Lord REIGNETH; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The Lord is GREAT in Zion; and he is HIGH above all the people. Let them PRAISE thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. EXALT ye the Lord our God, and WORSHIP at his footstool; for he is holy.” (Psalm 99:1-5)

“MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE unto the Lord, all ye lands. SERVE the Lord with gladness: COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH SINGING. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING, AND INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE: BE THANKFUL UNTO HIM, AND BLESS HIS NAME. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100)

“BLESS the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, BLESS his holy name. BLESS the Lord, O my soul, and FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s…BLESS the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. BLESS YE THE LORD, ALL HIS WORKS IN ALL PLACES OF HIS DOMINION: BLESS the Lord, O my soul.” (Psalm 103)

“O GIVE THANKS unto the Lord; CALL upon his name: MAKE KNOWN HIS DEEDS AMONG THE PEOPLE. SING unto him, SING PSALMS unto him: TALK YE OF ALL HIS WONDROUS WORKS. GLORY YE IN HIS HOLY NAME: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. REMEMBER HIS MARVELLOUS WORKS THAT HE HATH DONE; HIS WONDERS, and the judgments of his mouth.“ (Psalm 105:1-5)

“PRAISE ye the Lord. O GIVE THANKS unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his PRAISE?” (Psalm 106:1-2)

“O GIVE THANKS unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO, WHOM HE HATH REDEEMED FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and HE delivered them out of their distresses. And HE led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.

OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder…

OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! And LET THEM SACRIFICE THE SACRIFICES OF THANKSGIVING, AND DECLARE HIS WORKS WITH REJOICING…

OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! LET THEM EXALT HIM ALSO IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE PEOPLE, AND PRAISE HIM IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE ELDERS. HE turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. HE turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. WHOSO IS WISE, AND WILL OBSERVE THESE THINGS, EVEN THEY SHALL UNDERSTAND THE LOVINGKINDNESS OF THE LORD.” (Psalm 107:1-16,21-22,31-43)

“O God, my heart is fixed; I will SING and give PRAISE, even with my glory. Awake, PSALTERY and HARP: I myself will awake early.

I WILL PRAISE THEE, O LORD, AMONG THE PEOPLE: and I will SING PRAISES unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou EXALTED, O God, above the heavens: and thy GLORY above all the earth.” (Psalm 108:1-5)

“PRAISE ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the Lord are GREAT, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is HONOURABLE and GLORIOUS: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

HE HATH MADE HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO BE REMEMBERED: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his PRAISE endureth for ever.” (Psalm 111)

“PRAISE ye the Lord. PRAISE, O ye servants of the Lord, PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD. BLESSED be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be PRAISED. The Lord is high above all nations, and HIS GLORY above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. PRAISE ye the Lord.” (Psalm 113)

“NOT UNTO US, O LORD, NOT UNTO US, BUT UNTO THY NAME GIVE GLORY, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psalm 115:1-3)

“O PRAISE the Lord, all ye nations: PRAISE HIM, ALL YE PEOPLE. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. PRAISE ye the Lord.”(Psalm 117:1-2)

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. BLESSED be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. OUR HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124)

“PRAISE ye the Lord. PRAISE ye the name of the Lord; PRAISE HIM, O ye servants of the Lord. Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. PRAISE the Lord; for the Lord is good: SING PRAISES UNTO HIS NAME; FOR IT IS PLEASANT. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. FOR I KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GREAT, AND THAT OUR LORD IS ABOVE ALL GODS. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” (Psalm 135:1-6)

“O GIVE THANKS unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O GIVE THANKS unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O GIVE THANKS to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. TO HIM WHO ALONE DOETH GREAT WONDERS: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever…

Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O GIVE THANKS unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:1-9,23-26)

“I will PRAISE thee with my whole heart: BEFORE THE GODS WILL I SING PRAISE UNTO THEE. I will WORSHIP toward thy holy temple, and PRAISE thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:1-3)

“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

SUCH KNOWLEDGE IS TOO WONDERFUL FOR ME; it is high, I cannot attain unto it…For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will PRAISE thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: MARVELLOUS ARE THY WORKS; AND THAT MY SOUL KNOWETH RIGHT WELL. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. HOW PRECIOUS ALSO ARE THY THOUGHTS UNTO ME, O GOD! HOW GREAT IS THE SUM OF THEM! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” (Psalm 139:1-6,13-18)

“I will EXTOL thee, my God, O king; and I WILL BLESS THY NAME FOR EVER AND EVER. EVERY DAY WILL I BLESS THEE; AND I WILL PRAISE THY NAME FOR EVER AND EVER. GREAT is the Lord, and GREATLY to be praised; and his GREATNESS is unsearchable.

ONE GENERATION SHALL PRAISE THY WORKS TO ANOTHER, AND SHALL DECLARE THY MIGHTY ACTS. I WILL SPEAK OF THE GLORIOUS HONOUR OF THY MAJESTY, AND OF THY WONDROUS WORKS. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: AND I WILL DECLARE THY GREATNESS.

THEY SHALL ABUNDANTLY UTTER THE MEMORY OF THY GREAT GOODNESS, AND SHALL SING OF THY RIGHTEOUSNESS. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to ALL: and his tender mercies are over ALL his works. All thy works shall PRAISE thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall BLESS thee. THEY SHALL SPEAK OF THE GLORY OF THY KINGDOM, AND TALK OF THY POWER; TO MAKE KNOWN TO THE SONS OF MEN HIS MIGHTY ACTS, AND THE GLORIOUS MAJESTY OF HIS KINGDOM.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in ALL his ways, and holy in ALL his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. MY MOUTH SHALL SPEAK THE PRAISE OF THE LORD: AND LET ALL FLESH BLESS HIS HOLY NAME FOR EVER AND EVER. “ (Psalm 145)

“PRAISE ye the Lord. PRAISE the Lord, O my soul. WHILE I LIVE WILL I PRAISE THE LORD: I WILL SING PRAISES UNTO MY GOD WHILE I HAVE ANY BEING. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which GIVETH food to the hungry. The Lord LOOSETH the prisoners: The Lord OPENETH the eyes of the blind: the Lord RAISETH them that are bowed down: the Lord LOVETH the righteous: The Lord PRESERVETH the strangers; he RELIEVETH the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. The Lord shall REIGN for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. PRAISE ye the Lord.” (Psalm 146)

“PRAISE YE THE LORD: FOR IT IS GOOD TO SING PRAISES UNTO OUR GOD; FOR IT IS PLEASANT AND PRAISE IS COMELY. The Lord doth BUILD UP Jerusalem: he GATHERETH TOGETHER THE OUTCASTS of Israel. He HEALETH the broken in heart, and BINDETH up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. GREAT is our Lord, and of GREAT POWER: his understanding is infinite. The Lord LIFTETH UP the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

SING unto the Lord with THANKSGIVING; SING PRAISE upon the HARP unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. PRAISE the Lord, O Jerusalem; PRAISE THY GOD O ZION. For HE hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; HE hath blessed thy children within thee. HE maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.”(Psalm147: 1-14)

“PRAISE ye the Lord. PRAISE ye the Lord from the heavens: PRAISE him in the heights. PRAISE ye him, all his angels: PRAISE ye him, all his hosts. PRAISE ye him, sun and moon: PRAISE him, all ye stars of light. PRAISE him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them PRAISE the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

PRAISE the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD: FOR HIS NAME ALONE IS EXCELLENT; his GLORY is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. PRAISE ye the Lord.” (Psalm 148)

“PRAISE ye the Lord. SING unto the Lord a new song, and his PRAISE in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them PRAISE his name in the dance: let them SING PRAISES unto him with the TIMBREL and HARP.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. LET THE SAINTS BE JOYFUL IN GLORY: LET THEM SING ALOUD UPON THEIR BEDS. LET THE HIGH PRAISES OF GOD BE IN THEIR MOUTH, and a two-edged sword in their hand.” (Psalm 149:1-6)

“PRAISE ye the Lord. PRAISE God in his sanctuary: PRAISE him in the firmament of his power. PRAISE him for his mighty acts: PRAISE him according to his excellent greatness. PRAISE him with the sound of the TRUMPET: PRAISE him with THE PSALTERY and HARP. PRAISE him with the TIMBREL and dance: PRAISE him with STRINGED INSTRUMENTS AND ORGANS. PRAISE him upon the LOUD CYMBALS: PRAISE him upon the high sounding cymbals.

LET EVERY THING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD. PRAISE YE THE LORD.” (Psalm 150)

Amen.

(Written on 9th and 10th October, 2021)