What does it mean to "praise His holy name" in Psalm 97:12? The Verse in Focus “Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones, and praise His holy name.” (Psalm 97:12) Setting the Scene: Psalm 97 in Brief • Psalm 97 celebrates God’s sovereign reign, His unrivaled power over idols, and His righteous judgments. • The psalmist moves from cosmic declarations (“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice,” v. 1) to personal exhortation (“Rejoice in the LORD…,” v. 12). • Verse 12 is the climactic invitation: the righteous respond to His kingship with joyful praise. Key Phrase: ‘His Holy Name’ • Holy – set apart, morally perfect, radiant in purity (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). • Name – not a mere label; it sums up God’s character, reputation, and revealed actions (Exodus 34:5-7). • Together: praising His holy name means celebrating everything God is—His flawless character, mighty deeds, unfailing promises. Praise Defined According to Scripture • Verbal exaltation: declaring aloud God’s greatness (Psalm 103:1). • Musical celebration: singing, playing instruments (Psalm 30:4). • Testimony: recounting His works to others (Psalm 105:1-2). • Thankful sacrifice: “a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). • Obedient living: honoring Him with lives aligned to His Word (Colossians 3:17). Why the Call to Praise? 1. Because of who He is—holy, just, and sovereign (Psalm 99:3). 2. Because of what He has done—delivered His people from darkness to light (Psalm 97:10-11). 3. Because praise completes joy; rejoicing naturally flows into adoration (Psalm 33:1). 4. Because it distinguishes the righteous from idolaters; we bear witness to the one true God (1 Chronicles 16:29). How Do We Practically Praise His Holy Name? • Speak: Begin and end the day vocalizing gratitude for specific attributes—“Thank You for Your steadfast love, Your faithfulness, Your holiness.” • Sing: Incorporate psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that spotlight His holiness (Ephesians 5:19). • Share: Tell a friend or family member today how God has answered prayer or shown mercy. • Serve: Perform an act of kindness in His name, pointing people to His character (Matthew 5:16). • Surrender: Confess sins quickly; holiness magnified in us exalts His holy name (1 Peter 1:15-16). A Lifestyle of Continual Praise • Make rejoicing habitual—“Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). • Tie every circumstance to God’s unchanging holiness; praise is not mood-dependent. • Let every word and deed be “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17). • As hearts stay fixed on His holiness, praise becomes the natural overflow, echoing Psalm 97:12 day after day. |
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