PSALM 34:1-3

I will extol the Lord at all times;

    his praise will always be on my lips.

I will glory in the Lord;

    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the Lord with me:

    let us exalt his name together.

TO PONDER

I have a general dislike of Christian songs that begin with, ‘I will praise’, or I will do this or I will do that. My complaint sits around the fact that I often don’t and often can’t out of my own strength or wisdom do anything God-like. I prefer songs that keep God as the centre of praise and not the egocentric, ‘I’.

However, here we have the psalmist, in God’s Word, doing exactly the thing that so often makes me cringe. Verses 1 and 2 are so much like modern Christian songs but it is verse three that changes the nature of this ancient song and should serve as a salient reminder that worship and service are not a solo act. True worship cannot be sustained in isolation. Yes, we can and should give praise and honour and glory to God in our private prayer and devotions but, and this is a huge and life defining, but. Worship is at its most powerful and most unifying when it is given together. Worshiping God together unifies us with him and with each other if, and only if, we surrender into the mutual accountability that it inspires. ‘Glorify the Lord with me: let us exalt his name together.’ Worship is a universal dialogue that brings disparate people together before God in loving, respectful unity.

PRAYER: 

From all that dwell below the skies let the creator’s praise arise: Alleluia, alleluia!

Let the Redeemer’s name be sung through every land, by every tongue. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Amen.                                 (Isaac Watts – 1674 – 1748)

Today's devotion written by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra