Praising God is more than just singing; it must engage our whole being, spirit, souls and body. Unfortunately, the English language is limited in showing us how to praise God; although it defines praise as expressing gratitude and admiration towards God, it does not give us the full range of actions that we could use to express and demonstrate our praise.
Therefore, to learn how to praise the Lord in an acceptable way, we must turn to the people of Israel, who knew how to praise God ! For example, the psalms reveal the radical way in which King David and the sons of Asaph led the people to praise God. It is, therefore, not surprising that there are seven words for “praise” in the Hebrew language, which show us the ways in which we can praise God. We shall discuss two of these words today and the rest next time.
1. “YADAH”
“Yadah” means to praise God with extended hands. It is the lifting of hands, reaching out to God, and declaring our love for and dependence on Him. It is the giving of oneself in worship and adoration, and carries the meaning of absolute surrender as a young child does in lifting their hands to a parent.
Psalm 134:1-2 NLT
“[1] Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve at night in the house of the LORD. [2] Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the LORD.”
Psalm 134:2 NASBS
“Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD.”
Psalm 63:4 NLT
“[4] I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.”
I am always perplexed when I see people (especially men), worshiping God with their hands in the pockets! I know that we communicate with God in our hearts, however, true praise engages our hands, as we lift them up in surrender, to our King and Father.
If you have never lifted your hands to God in praise and worship, why don’t you try it today?
For Further Reading: Genesis 49:8; 2 Chronicles 7:3,6; 2 Chronicles 20:21 ; Psalm 33:2; Psalm 67:3; Psalm 108:3; Isaiah 12:1; Jeremiah 33:11
2. “BARAK”
The Hebrew word “barak” means to kneel down and bow; to salute and give reverence to God in recognition of His holiness and sovereignty. It is to kneel or to bow and bless God, as an act of adoration and reverence.
The kneeling and bowing reveal the intent of the heart towards God. A yielded heart would easily bow or prostrate before God in adoration, and in acknowledgment of His greatness and sovereignty.
Psalm 95:6 NKJV
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
1 Chronicles 29:20 NKJV
“Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless (barak) the LORD your God.” So all the assembly blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king.”
This is why the hymn writer admonishes us…
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim; With gold of obedience and incense of lowliness, Kneel and adore Him, the Lord is His name.
For Further Reading: Judges 5:2; Psalm 72:15; Psalm 96:2; Psalm 103:1-2; Psalm 34:1
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
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