Praise the Lord O my soul!

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD” (Psalms 150:6).

               As we welcome this new year 2012, let us turn to each others and say “새해 복 많이 받으세요” “Happy New Year!”  “Feliz año Nuevo!”.  Our church New Year motto is “Praise the Lord, O my soul!”  And the theme verse for year 2012 is Psalms 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD”.  This year, we have 3 goals: (1) Every Sunday, we praise God, (2) Every month, our family praises God, (3) Everyday, I praise God.  Today, based on Psalms 150:6, we want to think about 4 things regarding praising God:

First, where should we praise God?  Look at Psalms 150:1 – “Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.”  The psalmist says that we must praise God “in his sanctuary” and “in his mighty heavens”.  So let us come to the church and praise God with hope that we will praise Him in heaven all the days of our eternal life.  In fact, we must praise God everywhere.  So wherever we are, let us praise God (Ps. 148).

Second thing that we should think about is “Why should we praise God?”  There are two reasons why we must praise God: (1) First, it is because of what God has done for us.  Look at Psalms 150:2a – “Praise Him for His mighty deeds.”  Then here, what is God’s mighty deeds that He has done for us?  God’s might deeds are, for example, God’s guidance, God’s protection, God’s provision, etc.  One thing we must not forget about God’s mighty deeds is His power of salvation.  (2) Second, it is because of who God is – He is great God.  Look at Psalms 150:2b – “Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.”  Our God is great.  Therefore, we must exalt Him through our praises.  Especially when we think about His great work of salvation, we must lift up our voices and sing praise to Him for He is worthy to receive our praises.  So let us praise God for who He is and what He has done for us.

Third thing that we should think about is “How should we praise God?”  Look at Psalms 150:3-5 – “Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.  Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals.”  The psalmist says that when we praise God we use trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, pipe, loud cymbals, etc..  It means that we should use all kinds of instruments to praise God. 

                Last thing that we want to think about is “Who should praise God?”  Look at Psalms 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD!”  This means that all those who have breath should praise God.

Let me conclude this message.  As we welcome this New Year 2012, let us offer our praises to God with thanksgiving in our hearts for HE is worthy to receive our praises.  Let us praise Him wherever we are.  And let us praise Him with every kind of instruments.  Every one who has breath, let us all come together and praise our great God.  Until we have last breath in this earth, let us praise God!

Desire to praise God until I have the last breath in this earth,

James Kim