Praise Jehovah

Praise Jehovah

Introduction
Praising the Lord should be one of the most natural actions for God’s people. David expressed this beautifully in Psalm 34:1-3, inviting the humble to join him in exalting the Lord together. Our aim today is to look at the different Hebrew words translated “praise” and “worship” in the Old Testament, and to consider what they teach us about how we should honor God.

Bow Down
Psalm 34:1 declares, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” To bless the Lord is to give Him reverence as an act of adoration, not just in moments of joy but at all times. Psalm 100:3-5 reminds us to acknowledge His presence and goodness, recognizing that we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Our worship should overflow with thanksgiving and praise, for the Lord is good, His mercy everlasting, and His truth enduring to all generations. Psalm 95:3-7 calls us to bow down in humility before the great God, acknowledging His power as Creator of all things. Psalm 29:1-2 instructs us to give the Lord the glory due His name and to worship Him in the beauty of holiness. Bowing down is not only a physical posture but a spiritual one—bringing ourselves low before the Almighty in deep reverence.

Rejoice
Praise also involves rejoicing. Psalm 98:1-4 celebrates Jehovah’s salvation for His people, encouraging us to sing a new song for the marvelous things He has done. God’s right hand and holy arm have brought victory, His salvation has been revealed to all nations, and His faithfulness to Israel remembered. Psalm 5:11-12 calls on all who trust in the Lord to rejoice and shout for joy because He defends them. Psalm 40:1-3 recounts how God delivered David from a pit and set his feet on a rock, filling his mouth with a new song of praise. Psalm 63:1-5 expresses deep longing for God and satisfaction found only in His presence, leading to lips that praise and hands lifted in worship. Rejoicing in God’s goodness is the natural outflow of hearts that have experienced His mercy and salvation.

Make Confession
Another aspect of praise is confession—openly acknowledging God’s greatness and our dependence on Him. Psalm 50:14, 23 connects thanksgiving and right conduct with glorifying God. The same Hebrew word for “confession” appears in Joshua 7:19, where Achan is urged to give glory to God and confess his sin, and in Ezra 10:11, where God’s people are called to confess and turn from disobedience. True confession is both an act of praise and an act of humility, aligning our hearts with God’s will and truth.

Conclusion
Scripture overflows with calls to praise and worship Jehovah through bowing down in reverence, rejoicing in His salvation, and confessing His greatness and our dependence on Him. As David appointed Levites to thank and praise the Lord in 1 Chronicles 16:4, 7-12, we too are called to give thanks, proclaim His deeds, sing to Him, glory in His name, and continually seek His face. Let us make praise a constant part of our lives, for God is worthy of all honor and worship.

Praise Jehovah Sermon Outline:

• Bow Down – Psalm 34:1; Psalm 100:3-5; Psalm 95:3-7; Psalm 29:1-2

  • Bless the Lord at all times

  • Recognize His presence and goodness

  • Humble yourself before His greatness

• Rejoice – Psalm 98:1-4; Psalm 5:11-12; Psalm 40:1-3; Psalm 63:1-5; Psalm 33:1

  • Celebrate God’s marvelous works and salvation

  • Shout joyfully because He defends His people

  • Sing a new song of praise from a heart delivered by God

  • Lift up hands and rejoice in His lovingkindness

• Make Confession – Psalm 50:14, 23; Joshua 7:19; Ezra 10:11

  • Offer thanksgiving and right conduct

  • Acknowledge God’s greatness and our dependence on Him

  • Turn from disobedience to obedience

Call to Action
We must live each day with hearts that bow down in reverence, rejoice in God’s salvation, and confess His greatness. True praise is not limited to our worship assemblies but should flow continually from a life dedicated to honoring the Lord. This week, let us make it our goal to seek His face daily and proclaim His deeds to those around us.

Key Takeaways

• Bowing down in worship expresses deep reverence for God (Psalm 95:6-7).

• Rejoicing in the Lord springs from recognizing His salvation and blessings (Psalm 98:1-4).

• Confession is both praise and submission to God’s will (Psalm 50:23; Joshua 7:19).

• Praise should be continual, flowing from a heart devoted to God (Psalm 34:1).

Scripture Reference List

• Psalm 34:1-3 – Continuous praise to God.

• Psalm 100:3-5 – Recognizing God’s goodness and faithfulness.

• Psalm 95:3-7 – Humble worship before the Creator.

• Psalm 29:1-2 – Giving God glory due His name.

• Psalm 98:1-4 – Rejoicing in God’s marvelous works.

• Psalm 5:11-12 – Joy from God’s protection.

• Psalm 40:1-3 – Praise for deliverance.

• Psalm 63:1-5 – Seeking God with longing and praise.

• Psalm 33:1 – Praise from the upright.

• Psalm 50:14, 23 – Thanksgiving and right conduct as praise.

• Joshua 7:19 – Confession glorifies God.

• Ezra 10:11 – Confession and turning from sin.

• 1 Chronicles 16:4, 7-12 – David’s call to thank and praise the Lord.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO