SOAP 10/04/2014; Psalm 150:3-5

Today's reading: Esther 1, 2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

S) "³ Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
⁴ Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
⁵ Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals."

Psalm 150:3-5 (NASB)

O) What a perfectly fitting final Psalm! This short song is a declaration of the LORD's praise worthiness, and an encouragement praise Him without reservation. This section is all about the instruments used to praise God, but it isn't an exhaustive list, and neither is it exclusive. But, this section really drives home the idea, the sense, that every available instrument is used for His praise. Particularly, in verse 5, the writer is almost being redundant to drive home the boisterous nature of this praise.

A) Sometimes, in certain circumstances, I feel like I need to hold back in my praise. Whether it's on the bus to work, or in a reserved worship service, I sometimes feel the weight of peer pressure. Certainly, there are appropriate times to be considerate of others. It does not glorify the LORD to be obnoxious. So, instead, I think I need to take every opportunity I have to praise the LORD with exuberance. I need to praise with great joy and volume, forsaking dignity in favor of unabashed, honest, exultations.

P) Father, I never want to pass up an opportunity to be loud for You! Sometimes, my thankfulness, or simply Your manifested presence, overwhelms me with joy! I know there is an orderly and considerate way to praise and worship You, especially in a corporate setting, but I also want to be bold and hold nothing back in my adoration and thanksgiving. May Your Spirit make me sensitive to the emotions and postures of my brothers and sisters as they join me in song, and lead me in being a compassionate witness to Your name when I am in public. But, when I have the chance, when You have arranged the place and people perfectly, let me praise You with every noisy expression of joy that I have! Be exalted in my praise! May it be pleasing to Your ears, Father God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.