Today’s scripture opens and closes with a command, “Praise the Lord.” It is not a idea. It is not just good advice. We are commanded, as the people of God, to praise Him. The psalmist gives us two reasons why we must obey this command: First, we have a duty to praise the Lord since Jesus has saved us from sin. Second, we have been given the two-edged sword of the Word of God to put down liars and false teachers until all the rivals of Christ are made his footstool. We have an inclination to forget God until we are in distress. We do not come before Him to praise Him, even to be thankful for seemingly ordinary things. How often do we wake up in the morning and thank God that we woke up? That we are still breathing. We have so much to be thankful for, that if we took the time to give thanks for each thing we have been given, we would do nothing but give thanks and praise to Him. We should learn and spread God’s Word so that people will know that Jesus is the Truth. When He is known for Who He is, praise is directed to Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, may you be praised, not only in my words, but also in my actions, not only in what I sing, but also in how I treat my neighbor. Amen.