praise and worshipPsalm 9:1-2 – “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2  I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”

David, the author of Psalm 9, asserts in the opening verses of this psalm that the LORD alone is the object of his praise and adoration.

Who or what is the object of your praise and adoration?  Many love money and the possessions it can buy, spending themselves into bankruptcy in pursuit of idols.  Teenagers worship athletes and turn their bedrooms into shrines with posters of sports heroes hanging on its walls.   Men revel in the glory of their favorite sports teams and dress up their man caves as an expression of their alter ego.shrine

What about you?  Who or what is the object of your affections, heart’s desire and praise?  To whom or what have you given your heart?

Psalm 9:1-2 – “I will praise [confess; give thanks] thee, O LORD, with my whole heart [mind; understanding]; I will shew forth [declare; number; proclaim] all thy marvellous works [wonders; wonderful acts; deeds]. 2  I will be glad [rejoice; joyful] and rejoice [i.e. jump for joy] in thee: I will sing praise [make music; praise in song] to thy name [reputation; character], O thou most High [Supreme; the Highest].”

Let’s take a moment and examine David’s resolve to dedicate his words, spirit, soul and song to praising the LORD Jehovah, the Eternal, Self-existent God the “most High” (9:2).  David’s states his resolve to worship the LORD with the assertion, “I will” four times in Psalm 9:1-2.

The first, I will praise [confess; give thanks] thee, O LORD, with my whole heart [mind; understanding] (9:1a).  David resolved he would not be a half-hearted believer.  The king’s  praise and thanksgiving to the LORD sprung forth from a heart wholly and unreservedly given to the LORD.

whole heartDavid’s second resolve was to “shew forth [declare; number; proclaim] all thy [the LORD’s] marvellous works [wonders; wonderful acts; deeds](9:1b).  I confess how easy it is to allow a day to pass without honestly taking time to consider and number God’s overflowing blessings in my life.  The king’s resolve was not only to number God’s providences, but also publicly declare the LORD’s “marvelous works”.   An old gospel songs exhorts believers to, “count your blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings see what God hath done”.

Thirdly, David resolved to be glad [rejoice; joyful] and rejoice [i.e. jump for joy] in thee” (9:2a).  Regardless of trials, disappointments and heartaches, the king resolved in light of God’s many blessings he would rejoice and leap for joy.

congregational singingFinally, David resolved he would sing praise [make music; praise in song] to thy name [reputation; character], O thou most High [Supreme; the Highest](9:2b).  Music and song are wonderful and natural vehicles to express our love and praise for God.  David determined his music and songs of praise would focus on the LORD’s name, reputation and character.  We serve a great God and our songs of praise and worship should reflect His holy character, majesty and glory!

Take time at the close of this devotion to name and number God’s “marvelous works” in your life.  Even if you don’t feel thankful, ponder how the LORD has blessed you… the assurance of salvation by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son as an expression of His mercy, grace and forgiveness; His longsuffering when you falter and disappoint;  the love of family and friends;  material provisions of shelter and food; and the joy of life itself!  What a great God we serve!

Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith