How can we ensure our worship includes "praising the LORD, the God of Israel"? The Verse in Focus Psalm 106:48: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Hallelujah!” What the Verse Teaches about Praise • Praise is directed to a specific Person: “the LORD, the God of Israel.” • Praise is continuous—“from everlasting to everlasting.” • Praise is communal—“Let all the people say.” • Praise is vocal and enthusiastic—“Amen! Hallelujah!” Practical Steps to Keep Praise Central in Worship • Begin every gathering with Scripture that exalts the LORD (e.g., Psalm 72:18; Luke 1:68). • Encourage the congregation to voice “Amen” in agreement, mirroring the verse. • Select songs that explicitly name and honor “the LORD, the God of Israel,” not merely generic references to God. • Include moments for spoken praise, inviting testimonies of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 105:1–2). • Teach the meaning of “Hallelujah” (“Praise the LORD”) so worshipers understand and engage the word. • Keep praise continuous by weaving it through every element—music, prayer, readings, offerings, benedictions. • Guard against mere performance; remind participants they are addressing the living covenant God (Exodus 3:15). Examples from Israel’s Worship • David’s assembly: “So all the assembly praised the LORD, the God of their fathers” (1 Chronicles 29:20). • Temple dedication: “They sang…‘For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever’” (2 Chronicles 5:13). • Post-exile revival: “They sang responsively…to the LORD” (Ezra 3:11). Guardrails Against Drift • Evaluate lyrics and liturgy—do they boldly name and exalt the LORD? • Resist consumer-style services that spotlight performers over the Savior (John 3:30). • Keep Scripture reading prominent; God’s Word fuels authentic praise (Colossians 3:16). • Regularly revisit the gospel, the supreme reason for praise (Ephesians 1:3–6). Worship that Points to Christ • Jesus is the “horn of salvation” raised “for us in the house of His servant David” (Luke 1:68–69). • Praising the LORD, the God of Israel, includes exalting His Son, who reveals the Father (John 14:9). • Through Christ, Gentiles join Israel in glorifying God together (Romans 15:8–11). Summary Center every gathering on exalting “the LORD, the God of Israel.” Ground each element in Scripture, invite the whole assembly to voice praise, keep Christ in view, and let the word “Hallelujah” ring from start to finish. |
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