The Wall of Praise

If you read any of the stuff that I write you may recognize what I'm about to tell you as something that was in a previous writing.  But I thought it was important then and I think it is just as important now, so I will repeat some of what I said before. 

If you ask anyone who is in the least bit familiar with the Bible, "who is the Bible character most often refereed to when we talk about praise" you will most likely get the answer "David". 

David the shepherd, David the warrior, David the King, in every situation in his life David was a man of praise.  I have learned an interesting thing in studying about David .  The Hebrew language in which the Book of Psalms was written,  had 6 words for the word that in our English language means praise.  Let me briefly share them with you.

1.  Yadah:  This word means to extend the hands.  It is an action word.  I think about the old Nazarene church when people would get blessed and raise their hands to the Lord. 

2.  Tehhillaw:  This word refers to a hymn of praise.  We do this all the time in our churches.  We sing songs of praise to God.

3.  Zamar:  This word refers to playing an instrument with our fingers.

4.  Halal:  This word is sort of strange.  It means to make a show, celebrate, show out.  If you were brought up in the "old Nazarene" church or one like it, you will no doubt remember the celebrations that occurred from time to time.  I've seen shouting, and waving hands and yes even running the isles in praise to God.

5.  Shabach:  Means addressing loudly.  I think of the old man who use to attend camp meetings who encouraged the speaker and praised God by loudly and strongly proclaiming "Glory be to God forever". 

6.  Towdal:  This type of praise refers to the praise given by a choir of singers. 

I hear often I just don't know how to praise God.  Well here are six ways you can accomplish that act of praise.  You can raise your hands to God, you can sing by yourself, you can play an instrument, you can act crazy and celebrate (that might be the easiest way for some of you), you can shout or speak loudly or you can sing with others.  You might even find more ways of praising God.

My point is this.  Surround yourself, your Christian life, your family and your church with the wall of Praise.  It will quench the fiery darts of the wicked.