“It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 92:1, NASB)
“It is good to praise the Lord, but notice it didn’t say to praise the Lord when things are good. Instead it is good to praise the Lord, period.”
The reminder came from a dear online friend in our morning Bible Study group.
Praising the Lord releases us from our burdens as we cast them on the Lord, making the load on ourselves lighter.
The Message words the passage this way:
“What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God! To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night.”
The word ‘anthem’ now had my attention. Looking up the word to see exactly what it means, I discover it is “a piece of sacred vocal music.”
Not an instrumental. A vocal.
Looking out my window, I see trees, grass, birds, the sky, clouds, rain, leaves – all beautiful but they cannot do a vocal. But we, His created people, can sing our hearts out.
Lord, I thank You that You have made it so that Your people can sing an anthem. Imagine, the very songs we sing are sacred to You. Thank You for giving us vocal cords that can sing all about You. And to You. Amen.
“Jesus, the anthem of my heartJesus, the anchor of my soul.”
God often speaks to us through His beautiful creation all around us. While observing the behavior of birds, Jennifer was reminded of how we all need grace, love, and acceptance. She will bless you with her gentle reminder to be less harsh and more gracious towards one another. You can read her post, Strange Reactions HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
That’s such a great observation—it’s good to praise always, not just when things are good. I’m thankful we have vocal cords with which to praise Him aloud.
That is a good point. I always loved the old chorus “We bring a sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord” because it follows the same line of thought. Sometimes, things aren’t so good, and our praise is a sacrifice. We praise God for who He is, despite our circumstances.
Joanne, thanks for sharing this familiar verse in The Message. Sometimes that version knocks me right off my feet.
Joanne, sacrificing my whining or disappointment or whatever has hold of me to praise God changes the way I feel and opens my eyes to His great blessings. So good to remember that. Thank you.
It really is a good thing to give thanks—maybe the best thing we can do!
Joining you this morning, Joanne, in raising an anthem to Him Who is Worthy!
Such a beautiful piece, Joanne. I had no idea the meaning of anthem is vocal music. I agree, when we lift up our voices in praise, it’s a release for our soul.
Thank you, Joanne for the encouragement to sing praises, relinquishing our discontent for worship instead!
Thank you for featuring my post from last week Joanne. ☺️
Isn’t it wonderful that we can praise God for His love & wonder!
Blessings sweet friend,
Jennifer
I hadn’t notice the word “anthem” in that verse! How interesting!! And anthems are goose-bump creating vocals – the best kind of songs.
“It is good to praise the Lord, but notice it didn’t say to praise the Lord when things are good. Instead it is good to praise the Lord, period.”
It is good to praise whether I feel like it or not. Those times when praise is a sacrifice are some of the sweetest.
LOVE the updated site!! 🙂
For years my husband and I have sung in our church choirs and every week we sing an anthem or two. I often find sacred moments in those experiences – God works in amazing ways!
You know I never thought of it like this. My songs of praise are an anthem to his glory. What a beautiful song too.
Forgot to tell you I love your new website look.