We continue to give praise to God at the start of this new year, recognizing that it is indeed a new year, and we live in each new moment as a praise offering to God. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat
Psalms 33:1 NIV
[1] Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
It is Fitting to Praise God
Having received the invitation to raise our praise song to God, we note learn that it is appropriate to do so. Before getting into the hows and the whys, the psalmist is clear – praising God is proper spiritual protocol. I confess, as I read that it is ‘fitting’ to do so, I thought of the opening words in fancy functions … where the first person to speak lists all the important persons present as a mark of respect. Usually those who follow the first speaker would say, ‘All protocols observed’. That statement indicates that s/he who speaks is not obliged to run the gamut of titles required by protocol.
Self-Check
Do we do due diligence when in a context in which protocols are required? If so, how do we prepare?
Application
If we follow the train of thought of protocol observance, we realize that protocol is normally observed in a formal and/or ceremonial setting. We infer from the psalm that it was prepared for worshippers, so it may have been written for formal worship.
It was not only fitting for worshippers in the psalmist’s time, it remains the protocol in our time. If that holds true, then what we see in temples and churches where the liturgy begins with the procession of the Word (i.e., the Bible) accompanied or followed by a hymn of praise follows this protocol.
Further, the phrase It is Fitting suggests that the psalmist’s audience might not have been wholly familiar with the protocol. If praise is the highest form of recognition due to an official in formal ceremonies, then in observing protocol, we begin with praise to the highest ranking official. When we consider all that God is – Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign – there’s no greater ruler deserving of our praise than God.
Tehillah praise literally translates to praise song or hymn. This term is mentioned in Psalm 34:2 as an act of individual worship and in Psalm 100:4 in the invitation to corporate worship. We realize therefore, that even when there’s no one present to see or hear us observing protocol, it is still fitting to give to God the glory due to God’s name.
This pattern is observed in many circles, as one is taught the ACTS of Prayer, which proposes Adoration as the first element of approach to God. We also recognize that Y’shua confirms this protocol in His model prayer, when He tells us to honour (hallow) God’s name.
If protocol deems it fitting to offer up tehilla to God, then let us actively observe protocols all life long. Let us choose to offer our praises to God, for God deserves it.
Praise Moment
You Deserve it (You Deserve It)
Total Praise (Total Praise)
Every Praise (Every Praise)
Point to Ponder
In what ways might we observe proper protocols related to God today?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
