Psalm 45: Verse 1 (NIV-UK)
My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer.
Isaiah 61: Verse 3 (NIV-UK)
and provide for those who grieve in Zion –
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendour.
Two trains of thought crossed my mind when I read Psalm 45 which was part of today’s bible reading. The writer’s heart was stirred as he brought his praise before the King. And it was a noble theme. One definition of the word ‘noble’ states ‘the freedom from anything petty, mean or dubious in conduct or character. True praise indeed. And when we praise God in such a way, it lifts our spirits and makes us feel better. So not only does God get the praise that He deserves, but we feel better too. And true praise should be noble, not just for effect or putting on a show.
But sometimes we don’t always feel like it. In such instances we need to make an effort and actively change our attitude, or as Isaiah puts it, we need to put on the attitude of praise as if we were putting on an item of clothing. And that might mean we take off the despair that we are wearing instead. But we will definitely feel the benefit of it.
However my other train of thought was that the value of such noble praise extends, not just to God, as it should, but to anyone else too. When we give someone else praise and encouragement, it not only stirs our spirits, but it makes the person we are giving the praise to feel loved and valued. Its always worth making the effort to give praise then, isn’t it? First to God, but also to others.
Dear Lord,
Praise is always worth giving. You are worthy of it. So, help me to do so even when I don’t feel like it. But help me also to give praise to others when they deserve it. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.