LIFE ON THE ALTAR

This article is from Issue 6, Called to Praise

What Saith The Scripture?

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.
(Psalm 107: 21-22)

A HOLY PRIESTHOOD WHO OFFER SACRIFICES OF PRAISE

CALLED TO PRAISE

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). 

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ  (1 Peter 2:5).  

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15).

PRAISING WITH OUR BODIES

On our face (Luke 17: 15-16)
On our knees (Psalm 95: 6)
Standing (Nehemiah 9: 5)
With clapping (Psalm 47: 1)
With hands lifted (Psalm 63: 4)
With dancing (Psalm 149: 3)

PRAISING THE LORD TO OTHERS

To believers (Psalm 22:22)
To unbelievers/the heathen (Psalm 96: 3)
From one generation to another (Psalm 145: 4)
Of His Kingdom and power (Psalm 145: 10-13)
Of His Salvation (Psalm 71: 15)
Of His marvellous works (Psalm 9: 1-2)
Of His righteousness (Psalm 35: 28)
Of His faithfulness (Psalm 89: 1)
Of answered prayer (Psalm 66:16-20)

PRAISING ALOUD

In speech (Psalm 145: 21)
With abundant utterance (Psalm 145: 7)
In the name of Jesus (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
With a joyful shout (Psalm 100: 1-2)
With singing (Psalm 95: 1-2)
With music (Psalm 98: 4-6)

PRAISING ALWAYS

From the rising of the sun (Psalm 113:3)
Today (Psalm 118:24)
Every day (Psalm 145:1-2)
All day long (Psalm 35:28)
In the morning (Psalm 59:16-17)
In the night (Psalm 63:5-6)
Continually (Psalm 34:1)
In famine (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

REJOICE

That your names are written in Heaven (Luke 10:20)  
When another is honoured (1 Corinthians 12:26)              
Because you love and believe in Jesus (1 Peter 1:8)          
In labouring for the harvest of souls (John 4:36)               
In the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2)                      
In Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:3)
In temptations (1 Peter 1:6)
In truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)
In persecution (Matthew 5:12)
When a lost sheep is found (Luke 15:6)

If we know Jesus as our Saviour, understand the work of God in and around us, and experience His mercy and presence, then praise for Him and to Him should naturally pour out of us. However, at times we pass through seasons of difficulty that can blur our vision and cause us to look away from The Lord and rather concentrate on the current situation. At these times, we cannot neglect praise as this is our source of victory and thus The Lord will be glorified. Here are some intentional statements to declare and direct yourself to continue to offer the sacrifice of praise.

I WILL PRAISE THE LORD

I will bless The Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1)
Blessed be The Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! (Psalm 28:6)
My soul shall be joyful in The Lord, It shall rejoice in His salvation (Psalm 35:9)
I will sing to The Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 13:6)
I will call upon The Lord Who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies (Psalm 18:3)
I will praise The name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30)
I will say of The Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:2)
I will sing to The Lord as long as I live (Psalm 104:33)
I will be glad in The Lord (Psalm 104:34)
My soul shall make its boast in The Lord (Psalm 34:2)
I will praise The Lord with my whole heart (Psalm 111:1)

O magnify The Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together (Psalm 34: 3)

Here are some wonderful declarations and offerings of praise to God found in the Psalms.
Praise The Lord for…..

He is ALL SUFFICIENT in this age and the next (Ps. 16: 5-11, Ps. 63: 3-7, Ps. 107: 8-9, Ps. 145)
He is EVERYTHING that is GOOD (Ps. 34: 1-8, Ps. 36: 5-10, Ps. 45, Ps. 86: 15)
He is SOVEREIGN (Ps 86: 8-10, Ps. 93, Ps. 96, Ps. 147)
He DELIVERS us from sorrow, sin and evil (Ps. 30: 11-12, Ps. 40: 1-3, Ps. 113, Ps. 124: 6-8)
He HEARS our prayers and intervenes (Ps. 28: 6-8, Ps: 66: 16-20)
He WILL bring His purposes to pass (Ps. 46, 47,  48, Ps. 135: 1-6, Ps. 147, Ps. 149)

PSALM 103

Bless The Lord, O my soul:
and all that is with me bless His holy name.
Bless The Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits;
Who forgives all your iniquities;
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from destruction;
Who crowns you with lovingkindness
and tender mercies:
Who satisfies your mouth with good things
so that your youth is renewed
like the eagle’s.