Contagious Praise
by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste
Psalm 149:3-5
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the holy ones rejoice in honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds.
Have you ever been so excited about God that you broke out in a dance or began to sing at the top of your lungs?
In Psalm 149, the psalmist’s excitement spills over into a hymn of praise. His heart is bursting with joy as he reflects on the goodness of God. In his contagious praise, he encourages worshipers to sing, dance, play instruments, and relish in the presence of the Creator.
Make no mistake: God is beyond good. He created the universe, placed all the galaxies in place, designed all of nature and then created us in His image. God, the Creator of everyone and everything, created you. We were created to praise Him.
Praise allows us to step away from the humdrum of life and express our admiration for the Unseen God who sees us and knows us intimately. It allows us to transcend our circumstances and enter into the presence of the Almighty God of creation.
Praise unites our hearts with God, filling our hearts with love and adoration so we can delight in the God who gifts us salvation and grants us the victory!
Reflection
How does praise transform my quiet time with God?
Prayer
Holy God, I will praise Your name in dance. I will sing praises to You. For You, O Lord, take pleasure in Your people. You crown the humble with salvation. I will sing for joy on my bed as I express my admiration of You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
