From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly (Psa. 22:25 NIV).
What do you praise the Lord for and how much do you do it? When someone has performed a heroic deed, or created an astonishing work of art or a magnificent woodcarving, we praise them by telling them how exceptional they are.
Some people can’t tell the difference between thanking God and praising Him. We thank Him for what He has done for us; for the fact that He gave us life; for the beauty of the world around us; for specific things He gives us, like the rain, for healing, for a safe journey; or for obtaining a job. We praise Him because He created the universe; because He rules in glory; because He is the Savior and Helper of those who look up to Him; because He empowers us through His Spirit.
In Psalm 22, something very important comes to the fore. David is so happy that God carried him through his trials that he states that God is the one who gives him the theme for his praise: “From You comes the theme of my praise.” In other words, when David praises God, it is God who gives him the gift of praise.
God lifts him out of his own foolish and inadequate words and gives him the ideas, words and theme to praise Him. Even the praise we bring the Lord is a gift from Him. If you find it difficult to praise God, pray that He will give you this gift.
I want to praise You, Lord; praise You with all my heart! Amen.
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