“…sing ye praises with understanding”

This is the stand out phrase in this Psalm of praise because it articulates how we praise God. Praise is not a “mindless” activity. Praise is not best expressed when we empty our minds and let our emotions take over. True praise ought to have an effect upon our emotions but the emotions must be under the control of mind, the minds needs to be directed by the Spirit and Spirit will control the mind through the teaching of Scripture. Therefore praising with the understanding is rooted in Scripture and sound theology. The more we know the Word, the Christ revealed in its sacred pages and a biblical theology the greater will be our capacity for true praise.

1: WHOLEHEARTED

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

The Psalm commences with a tremendous burst of excitement and exuberance. Intelligent praises needn’t be dull and lethargic. Indeed dull praises are often a sign that we don’t understand the one we are praising.

But where there is true understanding, which affects the heart – the praises will be meaningful. Praises which are purely emotional , however, while they might appear to be lively are often shallow whereas heartfelt praises will be deep and ponderous.

Our minds and souls must be engaged as we praise. Often this is not the case. We are stagnant, lukewarm, distracted and disinterested even though the words are lofty and majestic.

We must pray for a fresh and deeper understanding of God that we would rise to greater heights in our praising.

2: OBJECTIVE

For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

Praise must never be subjective. Subjective praising is man centred. We look inward to our own feelings, articulating them when we ought to be objectively focusing upon the Lord.

Subjectivism is one of the biggest sins within the hearts of men and women in this modern age and it filters into the Church of Christ. Subjectivism is to be preoccupied with our feelings, our fears, our ideas, our opinions. It is to be moulded and shaped by our own wicked and corrupt and deceitful hearts rather than the objective standard of revealed truth found in the Word of God.

Praise must be objective, as our minds are filled with words which teach us who God is and what he has done for us. This is why truth, understanding and faith are vital in the realm of worship.

The traditional hymns of worship together with the metrical Psalm and Paraphrases of Scripture, which have grown out of the great revivals of our Christian past should be treasured as there is a depth of truth contained in them, which is sadly lacking much of the modern Church praise. There are certainly fine modern hymns but the old must never be removed; because of the solid doctrine that they teach.

3: BELIEVING

He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

Praise is filled with a belief in what God can and will accomplish.

The Psalmist in this instance expressed his faith in the God who would give Israel military victories.

Additionally, he trusted the God who would provide an inheritance for his people. The basis of this provision is as thrilling as it is comforting – “Jacob whom he loved”. This God is not only great and terrible but He is one who uses all His power to preserve His people, because He loves us with an everlasting love.

4: TRIUMPHANT

God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

This passage expresses our submission to God’s sovereignty. This is not the servile submission, the grudging obedience of a slave. Rather this is the triumphant submission of a subject who is proud of his nation and his King.

The leading thought in this Psalm, expressed in verse 1, but becoming more apparent towards the grand finale, is that God reigns over all the earth. We are commanded to praise Him because He reigns over the heathen and is Lord of all.

Therefore we learn that He rules over the Islamic world, the Hindus and Buddhists also with their combined billions of followers. He continues to be Lord of the Jews even though they persistently reject Christ. He is King over the secularists and the secularists with their denial of God and their elevation of self. He holds sway over every human heart.

He is Lord of every nation having power over their shields, or their military might. Throughout the history of the world empires have risen and fallen. The Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman empires exist only in history and archeology. The British Empire is finished, the influence of the United States in the world is being challenged by the rise of China but that too will change one day. Putin is a menace but his little day will come to an end. He threatens his considerable nuclear arsenal but that will only be released if God removes His restraint.

Such is the note of triumph here, however, together with the opening exhortation directed to “all people”, that we are forced to conclude that this Psalm is prophetic. One day all nations, tongues and tribes will accept Christ as Saviour, as John foresaw in Revelation:

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 11:15

Not only does God reign in power but He also governs in grace. All history is leading towards one great and final ingathering of the elect from every nation.

How we have just cause to praise our God who reigns forever and forever. His Son is exalted. The Kingdom of grace will fill the whole earth. The cause of truth will prevail. The missionary will be the victor. The Spirit of God will be poured out upon all flesh.

Let us praise God and pray in faith for the hastening of this great day – “Thy Kingdom come”.