Psalm 9: 1-2
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
How much of your prayer life (assuming you have a prayer life) focuses on thanksgiving and praise verses bringing your requests to the Lord?
Recently, we did a study at our church on the Lord’s prayer where Jesus told us how to pray as those who have accepted Jesus as Leader and Forgiver in our lives.. As we looked at the formula modeled, we found there is an invitation to many different areas of prayer but it was the praise part that was not just modeled twice in that prayer but also the way the prayer started and closed.
In this psalm of David, he covers many things in his prayer but I will be focusing on the power and importance of praise.
Praise of God’s Deliverance (Don’t be short minded. Remember what God has already brought you through.)
Psalm 9: 3-6
“When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.
You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out the very memory of them has perished.”
Praise of God’s Righteous Judgement
Psalm 9: 7-8
“But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice,and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.”
Praise for Faithfulness in Caring for Us in Times of Trouble
Psalm 9: 9-10
“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
Praise for the Wonderful Things He Does in His Love for you
Psalm 9: 11-12
“Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.”
Praise for His Grace and Salvation
Psalm 9: 13-14
“Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death,that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I may rejoice in your salvation.”
God moves in so many areas of our lives yet the circumstances of this world seem to beg for our attention. It takes a conscious effort to decide to focus on the Truth instead of being swallowed up by the lies.
There are multiple reasons we should stop and worship God but one that should drive us to our knees the fastest is stated in verse 16 when David reminds us that “The Lord has made himself known“! He makes Himself known in your life but how heart crushing it must be to Him when we forget and continue to live in fear and stress. It has to be even more painful for Him than it is for us since we are designed to live in freedom through Christ.
Don’t forget that a life of thanksgiving is also part of your witness to the world! When we live as victims, it kills our testimony but when we focus on worship, verse 11 reminds us to “Tell among the peoples his deeds!“.
There continues to be struggle in this life and your Daddy wants to hear from you on your requests. However, don’t forget to wrap them in praise. He has done so much for us already! Stand on His firm foundation!
Psalm 9: 19-20
“Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail… Let the nations know that they are but men!”
About Tom Hypes
