We Believe

1
We Believe
that it is good to sing praises unto our God
for it is pleasant and praise is comely.
Psalm 1471
First Principles of Prayer
as taught by Scripture and illustrated in
the lives of the righteous
2
Jehoshaphat's strength ...
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he
walked in the first ways of his father David
he sought to the LORD God of his father, and
walked in his commandments, and not after the
doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD stablished
the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to
Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and
honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted
up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took
away the high places and groves out of
Judah. (2Chron 173-6)
3
... and Jehoshaphat's weakness
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to
meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat,
Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them
that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee
from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are
good things found in thee, in that thou hast
taken away the groves out of the land, and hast
prepared thine heart to seek God.
(2Chron 192-3)
4
Jehoshaphat's finest hour
2Chron 20 The Battle of Berachah

• A great multitude coalition of Ammonites,
  Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the
  south (vss.1-2)

5
Jehoshaphat's finest hour
2Chron 20 The Battle of Berachah

• A great multitude coalition of Ammonites,
  Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the
  south (vss.1-2)
• Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face mg. to
  seek the LORD (vss.3-4)

6
Jehoshaphat's finest hour
2Chron 20 The Battle of Berachah

• A great multitude coalition of Ammonites,
  Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the
  south (vss.1-2)
• Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face mg. to
  seek the LORD (vss.3-4)
• Jehoshaphat prays before all (vss.5-13)

7
Jehoshaphat's finest hour
2Chron 20 The Battle of Berachah

• A great multitude coalition of Ammonites,
  Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the
  south (vss.1-2)
• Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face mg. to
  seek the LORD (vss.3-4)
• Jehoshaphat prays before all (vss.5-13)
• Response Hearken ye, all Judah!
  (vss.14-19)

8
Jehoshaphat's finest hour
2Chron 20 The Battle of Berachah

• A great multitude coalition of Ammonites,
  Moabites and Edomites sweeps up from the
  south (vss.1-2)
• Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face mg. to
  seek the LORD (vss.3-4)
• Jehoshaphat prays before all (vss.5-13)
• Response Hearken ye, all Judah!
  (vss.14-19)
• Resolution singers went out before the army
  to say, Praise the LORD for his mercy
  endureth for ever. (vss.20-25)

9
The Valley of Berachah
for there they blessed the name of the LORD

• Praise before the deliverance (vss. 21-22)
• Praise after the deliverance (vss. 26, 27-28)

"Berachah" name
commemorates Israel's blessing of
God
10
Berachah!
Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is
within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord,
O my soul, and forget not all his benefits ...
Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in
strength, that do his commandments, hearkening
unto the voice of his word. ... Bless the Lord,
all his works in all places of his dominion
bless the Lord, O my soul.
Ps 1031-2,20,22
11
Class outline

• The Bibles praise textbook
• Where?
• Why?
• How?
• Who?
• Praise as offering

it is good to sing praises unto our God for
it is pleasant and praise is comely.
12
The 'Hallelujah' Psalms
Revelation 191,3,4,6 Heavenly praises in
anticipation of the marriage supper of the Lamb
13
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary
praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him
for his mighty deeds praise him according to his
exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet
sound praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise
him with timbrel and dance praise him with
strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding
cymbals praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6
Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 150 (RSV)
14
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary
praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him
for his mighty deeds praise him according to his
exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet
sound praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise
him with timbrel and dance praise him with
strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding
cymbals praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6
Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
Where?
Psalm 150 (RSV)
15
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary
praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him
for his mighty deeds praise him according to his
exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet
sound praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise
him with timbrel and dance praise him with
strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding
cymbals praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6
Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
Why?
Psalm 150 (RSV)
16

• For thus saith the high and lofty One that
  inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy
• I dwell in the high and holy place, with him
  also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to
  revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive
  the heart of the contrite ones.

(Isaiah 5715)
17
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary
praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him
for his mighty deeds praise him according to his
exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet
sound praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise
him with timbrel and dance praise him with
strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding
cymbals praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6
Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
How?
Psalm 150 (RSV)
18
Praise is not just music!

• Psalm 5014-15,23
• And call upon me in the day of trouble I will
  deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (RSV)
• Hebrew 1315
• By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of
  praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of
  our lips giving thanks to his name

19
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary
praise him in his mighty firmament! 2 Praise him
for his mighty deeds praise him according to his
exceeding greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet
sound praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise
him with timbrel and dance praise him with
strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding
cymbals praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6
Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
Who?
Psalm 150 (RSV)
20
Class summary

• Gods greatness inspires praise
• Praise
• its priority in prayer
• benefits us
• pleases God
• should be unabashed!
• constant

it is good to sing praises unto our God for
it is pleasant and praise is comely.