Prayers of Praise

Psalm 65:1,2

    One lesson we all learned from childhood onward is that there are so many things for which we have to wait. We have to wait for the sun to rise, for our meals to be prepared, for the water to boil, a friend to arrive, the rain to stop, to mention only a few of these things. And all this ought to teach us how great our God is. For He waits for nothing but realizes on time all things according to His eternal counsel or plan. Nothing stops Him or delays what He wants.

    When then in Psalm 65:1-2 we read: "Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion: and unto Thee shall all flesh come," we should note that David speaks here of God's praise waiting, not God waiting for that praise.  That word "waiteth" means literally "to be silent." And that praise is silent means it serves God. In that day the servant was silent waiting to hear the instructions from his master as to what he must do. He did this to serve his master fully. So God's praise serves Him (Isaiah 43:21).

    Notice that God's praise waits in Zion. Zion here means God's church as that church is ruled by Christ its glorified Head. For Zion was the hill in Jerusalem where David's throne was set. It was a picture of Christ at God's right hand ruling all things as head of His church, so that the praise of God flows forth constantly.

    For us today that praise flows forth in our prayers as well as in our songs. We do well to examine our prayers to see how fully we do serve God with praise. Do we with our hearts sing (PRC Psalter)?

    Praise waits in Zion, Lord, for Thee,
    And unto Thee shall vows be paid;
    O Thou Who hearest those that cry,
    To Thee by all shall prayer be made.

    Are your prayers merely requests for material advantages? Look at the prayer Jesus gave us and notice the literal and implied praise in it. Our praise to God must not wait until we arrive in heaven. If you belong to Zion, praise will be in your prayers today.

Read: Psalm 65 
Psalter versification: #166:1 
(Words and Music of the Psalter)

Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Song for Meditation: Psalter #202
Why not sing along??

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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezekiel 3:16-27 ; Ezekiel 4 ; Ezekiel 5 ; Ezekiel 6:1-14 
Hebrews 4:1-16 
Psalm 104:24-35 
Proverbs 26:24-26 
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Quote for Reflection:

“The magnitude of the punishment (of sinners, MD) matches the magnitude of the sin…Now, a sin that is against God is infinite; the higher the person against whom it is committed, the graver the sin—it is more criminal to strike a head of state than a private citizen—and God is of infinite greatness. Therefore, an infinite punishment is deserved for a sin committed against Him.”  ~ Thomas Aquinas