Always Give Thanks: Psalm 34
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
In the Holy Scriptures there is this continual echoing of being in constant praise, adoration, and prayer with the Lord. Practically, this seems impossible, but on the other hand noble. But, on the other hand, it's something we should not let ourselves off easy with. In Psalm 34, David opens up by saying: “I will alway give thanks unto the LORD; his praise shall ever be in my mouth.” You see, whatever trial David was in, whatever period of bliss, whatever situation the LORD had put him in, the praise of the LORD was always on his lips. Now, literally speaking this does not mean that every second of every day that we are sitting in church praying and singing praises to the church, but that in each day and in all situations you are walking in the worship of God.
Next, David exults in V. 2, “my soul shall make her boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.” You see the one who gives thanksgiving and praise to God like David has instructed, then inspires others to hear the prayers and praises to God, and will be glad. In V.3 we see the full effect of this and the call of prayer: “O praise the LORD with me, and let us magnify his Name together.” You see, the praise of God should always be truly invitational and missional - worship leads to making other worshippers. If we are worshiping God wholly we are bearing witness to his kingdom. Thus, God calls us to a life of praise, the life of praise is attractive to the humble man, then we are called to invite them into the praise of the Lord. The psalmist is essentially calling us to Jesus’ command to make disciples.
Thirdly, this life of praise is not only for the good times but it’s truly modeled in times of adversity. In Psalm 34:4 David says: “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” There will always be times of trouble and times of fear in the believers life, but in the Lord’s sovereign way he will deliver us from whatever fearful situation in life that we encounter - it’s especially important to praise the Lord during those times and to not lose faith. If we only have faith and praise during the good times, then we don’t have the persevering faith that is the real supernatural gift of the Lord. I was reading recently in the Book of Acts of the martyrdom of St. Stephen. We see this supernatural power of God’s grace - in Stephen’s darkest hour, he still praised and proclaimed Christ’s most powerful works. Death and fear did not cause St. Stephen to waiver, because he saw in the moment of trial the reality of what he had believed in faith: heaven opened and Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of the Heavenly Father.
In v. 6 we read of the reason we are called to praise! “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” As Christian we know who this Word of the Lord is, none other than the Word made flesh - Jesus Christ - the one who holds all things together by the Word of his power. If he can create heaven and earth, all things therein, he can manage our problems for us! Not only that, but he is worthy of our trust, and as V. 1 said our continual praise.
V. 7 continues: “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Beloved he is not only our creator, but he is our hiding place in all times of trouble, and he is our song of deliverance: our songs speak not only of his praise but, how he was mighty to save and deliver us! The next several verses show us how the Lord delivers and protects his children.
In Vs. 13-16 the Psalmist gives us a warning though: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” You see, there is a commandment to learn the fear of the Lord, and in learning the fear of the Lord, we are called to holiness and not unrighteousness - we continually be on the lookout for sin in our life and when the LORD reveals it we must be quick to repent - we do not want to be like those cut off from the Lord, but rather those who drink deeply from his stream.
I’d like to conclude with V. 19: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Whatever affliction and pain you're going through - supposing it’s not divine judgment because of sin - God will deliver you out of them. There is promised affliction for us, because the world hates righteousness, but God is mightier than the world. Beloved this is the biblical Gospel: Jesus Christ came here and lived perfectly, thanks and praise were always on his lips, and yet the world, flesh, and devil persecuted him, hurt him beyond comprehension, and killed him. Yet, God delivered his servant out of death. He vindicated him by giving him a name above all others, and has given him the scepter of rulership of all nations. Hold tight to Jesus…God has already shown us in him, the perfect example of what Psalm 34 taught us today - but we must continue to press into Christ and model our lives around his most Holy Life. So today, when you hear the lofty and tough calling to keep God’s praise always on your lips, remember this is not a call to a monastic cell or a 24 hour pentecostal worship experience, rather its a day by day willingness to get up, praise the Lord, and try to walk in his footsteps.
