How should we praise God? (Psalm 150:3–5)
How should we praise God? (Psalm 150:3–5)
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Psalms 150:3 - 5
ESV - 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
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Asked March 20 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that there is no one prescribed way or method of praising God. It depends on the mindset of the person offering the praise -- that is, with thoughts focused on God, and sincerely expressing the person's innermost feelings -- and the reason why the person is doing it. The use of music or instruments (as described in the passage cited in the question) is certainly one way to do it. Some of the greatest musical works ever written were composed for that purpose. The offering of prayers (either silent or spoken) would be another. The book of Psalms provides many examples or models of such expressions of praise, which can be adapted to the individual's own situation. I personally find it helpful to pick a particular attribute of God -- His love, His mercy, His goodness, and so many others -- and dwell on it while praising Him for possessing it, as well as for the ways in which He has demonstrated it, both in Biblical times, and in my own life. I also think of individual blessings that I have received from Him, and thank and praise Him for each one. It is even possible for Christians to praise God for seeming difficulties or trials that they are passing through, since they know that God's permissive will has allowed to them to happen for a purpose, and that He is able to make even those experiences to work together for their good (Romans 8:28). In fact, I would say that Christians should ideally make their entire lives (through their words and conduct) a living expression of praise to God, even when they are not specifically engaged in meditation on Him.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
We should come before Him with all that we are and have. God is deserving of our most extreme commitment, our utmost devotion, regardless of our capacities and weaknesses. I love that Christian book title by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. I am thankful that God wants to be praised with strings. Psalm 150: 4 says: "praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe." I love playing my 12-string guitar in church when I can. So far, I have done it for 5 years in my Baptist Church. I want to continue it.
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