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In life we all go through storms [ trials and tribulations ] and one of the most important things to do is to praise God through the storm.
At times we are fully aware of when a storm is brewing around us, giving us enough time to prepare for when it hits the land. But there are storms that can come through so fast {unexpectedly} totally destroying the very foundation, leaving us feeling defeated and lost for hope.
Is this tough? Yes. In the storms of life, we tend to give into the winds of adversity that blows all around us but David teaches us through the storms of life, we can still praise God, giving him glory and honor. Why? Because of His faithfulness.
Psalm 118:5
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my defense[a]; he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Psalm 118 is an excellent chapter to read for praising God.
David said some key words that would give you insight on the action of praise. He used the words or phrases of giving thanks to the Lord, proclaiming what the Lord has done. He used the words rejoice and be glad, saying “I will praise you, I will exalt you”. This is what praise is all about.
Praise is an expression of warm approval or admiration for someone or something, it means pay tribute, speak highly of, applaud, commend, compliment, rave about and etc.
The biblical definition of praised is used to express happiness or relief that something did or did not happen.
Psalm 150 The Message (MSG)
150 1-6 Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship,
praise him under the open skies; Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his magnificent greatness; Praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings; Praise him with castanets and dance, praise him with banjo and flute; Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum, praise him with fiddles and mandolin. Let every living, breathing creature praise God! Hallelujah!
There are different forms of praise.
1) Barak- To kneel or to Bow. To give reverence to God as an act of adoration. To honor God’s royalty. – Psalm 95:6-7 The Message (MSG)
6-7 So come, let us worship: bow before him, on your knees before God, who made us! Oh yes, he’s our God, and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.
2) Yadah-To worship with the extended hand. The giving of oneself in worship and adoration. Total surrender. – Psalm 63:4 The Message (MSG)
2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
3) Towdah- Is a prophetic praise, praising him before the battle is over. This is where we proclaim the name of the Lord, like David said in Psalm 118.
Proclaim means to announce officially or publicly, declare something one considers important with due emphasis.
In Exodus 34 Moses proclaimed the name of the Lord but the Lord God himself proclaimed His own name, speaking of himself in a prophetic praise.
Exodus 34:5
5 Then the Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with Moses as he proclaimed the Name of the Lord. 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him, and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (faithfulness); 7 keeping mercy and lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; but He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers upon the children and the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers].” 8 Moses bowed to the earth immediately and worshiped [the Lord]. 9 And he said, “If now I have found favor and lovingkindness in Your sight, O Lord, let the Lord, please, go in our midst, though it is a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your possession.”
4) Shabach-A shout of praise!
Psalm 95 1-2 Come, let’s shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let’s march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!
5) Halal-Root word for praise in Hebrew which means hallelujah psalm 113:1
Psalm 113 1-3 Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God! Just to speak his name is praise! Just to remember God is a blessing— now and tomorrow and always. From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God!
6) Tehillah- To sing praises.
Isaiah 12:5 -Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done excellent and glorious things; Let this be known throughout the earth.
7) Zamar-To praise with string Instruments.
Psalm 150
Praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings; Praise him with castanets and dance, praise him with banjo and flute; Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
praise him with fiddles and mandolin. Let every living, breathing creature praise God! Hallelujah!
When we praise God through the storms of life, we are showing God that He is the one in whom we trust. No other thing or no one else {no other god} can do it for us. It’s only Him.
Praise moves the heart of God and he will fight on our behalf. Praise God through the storms of life and see the salvation of the Lord!
Rev. Kathryn Gore
