Oh Lord, I Will Praise Thee

Isaiah 12:1 – “And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee.”

A good Presbyterian minister of Old Scotland, of the staid and orthodox type, had a poor old woman in his congregation who was in the habit of saying, "Praise the Lord," "Amen," when anything particularly helpful was said, This practice greatly disturbed the minister and one New Year's day he went to see her. "Betty," he said, "I will make a bargain with you. You call out, 'Praise the Lord' just when I get to the best part of my sermon and it upsets my thoughts. Now if you will stop doing it all this year, I will give you a pair of wool blankets." Betty was poor, and the offer of the blankets sounded good. So she did her best to earn them. Sunday after Sunday she kept quiet. But one day a minister came to preach who was bubbling over with joy. As he preached on the forgiveness of sin and all the blessings that follow, the vision of the blankets began to fade and fade, and the joys of salvation grew brighter and brighter. At last Betty could stand it no longer and jumping up she cried, "Blankets or no blankets, Hallelujah!"

Now, God commands us throughout the Scriptures to give praise to God, and those preachers who try to suppress the urge to express that praise are doing a great disservice to their people.  They don’t tell them not to yell when a home run is hit at a baseball game – they don’t tell them not to stand and cheer when a touchdown is scored at a football game – they don’t tell them not to whoop and holler when a three-pointer is made at a basketball game.  Yet, on the rare occasion that they may say something praiseworthy, they expect their congregation to suppress that expression of joy that God may bring to their lips.  Let me tell you – if one is born again, that salvation is more exciting than any home run, or touchdown, or three point basket.  I believe it was Sammy Allen who said, “Don’t get too excited now – we’re only going to live forever.”

Look at our text – “O Lord, I will praise thee.”  Look at the next verse and see why.  “Behold, God is my salvation.”  That’s very praiseworthy – makes me want to shout just reading it.  He continues, “I will trust, and not be afraid.”  Then in the next verse, “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”  What a beautiful picture.  Verse 4, “Praise the Lord.”  Verse 5, “Sing unto the Lord.”  Verse 6, “Cry out and shout.”  We have commands from God, so get in there and shout praises unto Him.

Praise The Lord

Lift up your hands unto the Lord – Lift up your hands in praise.

Worship the Saviour in one accord – Give ear to all His ways.

Lift up your praises to God above For all that He hath done.

He loved us with so great a love He gave to us His Son.

Lift up your praises unto the Lord – Lift up your hearts in praise.

Don’t let the Saviour go ignored, Or Him your soul betrays.

Give Him the honor to which He’s due – Love Him and praise His Name.

And then obey Him with service true, And all His love proclaim.

Lift up your praises unto the Lord – Lift up your songs in praise.

He is the One who’s to be adored – Praise Him for all your days.

Sing to the Lord with all your voice – He paid the price for you.

Sing with your heart; with your lips rejoice – He gives you grace anew.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote – “This is the quietest world we’ll ever live in.  If you’re lost, you’ll go to a world of weeping and wailing.  If you’re saved, you’ll go to a world filled with shouting of praise.” – Dr. Jimmy Robbins

"Lord, Thank you for giving us something to shout about.  Help us to never be ashamed to praise your dear name - for it's through praise that God is exalted. Amen."