by Cathy Brown 

The psalmist rejoices in the Lord proclaiming that, “praise is comely for the upright.”  (Psalm 33: 1)  When children joyfully sing “Praise Him, All Ye Little Children”, adults are lifted up and know that to sing praise to God is indeed the right thing to do.  That raises the question, how about adults those depraved hearts, dead in trespasses and sin and saved by grace?  Do they find it joyful to praise the Lord?  Do they vainly say the words because it has become so commonplace?  Do they understand that God looks upon the heart?  Do they realize that God knows undoubtedly when we praise Him in sincerity?

The psalmist said, “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.”  (Psalm 9:1) To praise God with the “whole heart” is to have Him on your mind and in your heart always.  As the child of God matures in the faith, God takes on more preeminence in the chosen one’s heart.  Spiritual things matter more.  God matters more.  Praise to God becomes comely.  Praise to God becomes the sincere desire of the heart.  God’s child recognizes more His marvelous works!  “Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.”  (Psalm 71: 8)

It is God’s will that His people praise Him.  The psalmist reminds us that it is the duty of every child of God to praise the Lord.  “Let them praise the name of the Lord:  for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.”  (Psalm 148: 14)

Not only is it the duty of the chosen to praise their Savior, but all of the earth is to praise God in the beauty of His Holiness, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord.”  (Psalm 150: 6)  Bless the Lord, O my soul!