I Will Praise Thee O Lord

This morning’s service will quite different from our usual 11:00 am service and depending on your participation we may be doing more services like this.
Typical of “Baptist tradition” we sing our songs, take up the offerings, sing a special song, give the announcements and then listen to the message that God has for us to hear.
Now I ask you… “When was the last time you just came to worship and praise God for what He has done for you?”
I want everyone here this morning to stand up and give a praise to God for something He has done for you recently, in the far past, and maybe in the past few days.

Psalm 9:1…I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
How often do you “praise yourself?”
How often do you pat yourself on the back for something you have done?
How often do you praise your spouse?
How often do you praise a co-worker or boss?
How often do you praise a church member or pastor?

Note first of all in verse 1b, that David said “…with my whole heart.”
Let me tell you something…We are created in the image of God and when we do something with our whole heart, people notice that your deeds are done with a whole heart.
No one likes half hearted work, praise, gift giving, love, friendship, attendance, etc. Half heartedness brings shame, sadness, and maybe anger.
God knows when He is getting half hearted worship or praise, just as we do.

Whose praise is worthy? God’s praise is worthy because He is worthy.
Note now in verse 1c… I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
I also want you to realize that David in Psalms 1-8 does not say… “I will praise Thee” at all.
In the first 2 verses of chapter 9, David says “I will” 4 times.
David has made a promise to God saying… From here on out LORD I will praise You.”
What about you this morning? Will you say that? Will you make an effort to praise the Lord our God and His Son Jesus Christ who has purchased our souls?

One way to praise God is to recognize everything God has done for us and thank Him for it by telling others what He has done.
Also look down into Psalm 9:11 (KJV)…Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
Our nation and generation of American people has forsaken God and they are thankless.
Have you ever done something for someone and they never say “thank you?”
Have you ever done something and someone else takes the credit for doing it? How did it make you feel?
How do you think God feels when we do not recognize His works in our life?

Now look at Psalms 9:2…I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
Now that is different. Praising a name?
To praise a name is to bring honor or glory to the person who bears the name you mention.
Look also at Psalm 9:10…And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
God’s name is to be praised because He is trustworthy and never forsakes anyone who seeks Him (try to be obedient and understand Him more).
We are to praise Him also as David says… “O thou most High.” God is above all other gods and above all that He has created which is… “EVERYTHING!”

Look at another psalm of David in Psalm 22:22…I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
This is what we will be doing all morning. PRAISE GOD.
What does David say here? “declare thy name unto my brethren:”
Why do you suppose we need to do it in front of our brethren (brothers and sisters in Christ)?
To “declare” someone’s name is to announce or make a statement about something they have done or will do.
We praise His name or declare His name to our brethren as a way to encourage others to have a closer walk with God and see his goodness in their own life.

LET US BEGIN OUR PRAISE !!!