Are songs of praise just a modern invention? Will we still want to praise God in prayer and in song when Christ returns? Let’s begin in Psalm 135.
What is one purpose for assembling together in the church building? Do we do this?
Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord! Praise him, you who serve the Lord, you who serve in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. (Ps 135:1-2 NLT)
Is one way to praise the Lord by singing in the house of the Lord? Do we sing?
Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant. For Yah has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession. (Ps 135:3-4 WEB)
How incredibly powerful is our God? Do we see it in the sea, clouds, lightning and wind?
Yes, I know for certain that the Lord is great—I know our Lord is greater than all other gods. The Lord can do whatever he wants in heaven or on earth, in the seas and in every ocean depth. God forms clouds at the far corners of the earth. God makes lightning for the rain. God releases the wind from its storeroom. (Ps 135:5-7 CEB)
How did the miracles surrounding the Exodus and settlement of the promised land reveal God’s power?
The Lord killed the first-born of people and animals in the land of Egypt. God used miracles and wonders to fight the king of Egypt and all of his officials. He destroyed many nations and killed powerful kings, including King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan. He conquered every kingdom in the land of Canaan and gave their property to his people Israel. (Ps 135:8-12 CEV)
Do we have the trust and patience in God to wait upon His plan for His people?
Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. (Ps 135:13-14 ESV)
Whether the nations worship literal idols or symbolic idols like material wealth, are they powerless substitutes for God?
The idols of the nations are of silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear; indeed, there is no breath in their mouths. Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them. (Ps 135:15-18 HCSB)
Are we all invited to bless the Lord from spiritual leaders to ordinary citizens?
House of Israel, bless the Lord! House of Aaron, bless the Lord! House of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord! Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who lives in Jerusalem. Hallelujah! (Ps 135:19-21 ISV)
Is this theme of praising God carried into the celebrations after Christ’s return?
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev 19:1-6 KJV)
Are songs of praise just a modern invention? Will we still want to praise God in prayer and in song when Christ returns? You decide!
