From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly (Ps. 22:25 NIV).
What
do you praise the Lord for and how 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
for who and what He is. 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.
My highest purpose is to glorify God.
~ St. Augustine ~
Saint James Assembly of Faith
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