Psalm 147 begins with a call to worship. “Praise the LORD!” There are many reasons to answer that call, but here is one to think about throughout the day from the very next line: “For it is good to sing praises to our God.” Disciples of Jesus will spend a good amount of time in our assemblies today singing, and there are many reasons why, but Psalm 147:1 is still true, and it’s a valuable reminder as we prepare our hearts for worship.
Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
Singing is participating. As we sing, we’re joining the chorus of Creation–sun and moon, shining stars, sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy winds, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and cedars, beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds–Psalm 148 calls them all to praise the LORD, and singing is one way we can join that chorus in praise of our Creator. But as we sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, we’re also addressing one another (Eph 5:19), teaching and admonishing one another (Col 3:16). Singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart is participating in the very reason for our existence.
Singing is a way to express our gratitude to God. “Be thankful” is the encouragement of Colossians 3:15, but how, practically speaking, can we say “Thank you” to an invisible God? Listen, as Paul continues…
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (3:16-17)
Clearly, a fundamental aspect of discipleship is the giving of thanks and singing is a powerful avenue to actually express the gratitude in our hearts. Think about that as you sing throughout the day. “I’m saying ‘Thank you’ to the God who hears.”
Singing gets the focus off of ourselves and zeroes it in where it truly belongs. “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power” (Psa 147:5a). He builds up. He gathers the outcasts. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and gives to all of them their names. The LORD lifts up the humble and casts the wicked to the ground. He covers the heavens with clouds. He prepares rain for the earth. He makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. He gives snow like wool and scatters frost like ashes. Indeed, “his understanding is beyond measure” (147:5b).
And yet, how remarkable that such an awesome God does not delight in the strength of the horse or take pleasure in the muscles of the strongest of men. No, “the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (147:11). Singing reminds us of and connects us to those realities. Singing concentrates our hearts in reverence, fortifies our hope, and provides the words we need to express our love for the LORD who abounds in steadfast love.
“It is good to sing praises to our God.” Good for me. Good for you. So let’s wholeheartedly and enthusiastically answer the call of Psalm 147 today. “Praise the LORD!”