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Praise Him, Praise Him

by Micky Galloway

The Psalmist said, “I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praises unto thee (Psalms 138:1). The Psalmist praised his Creator with beauty of language that lifts our spirits and inspires us to echo his words as we seek to praise the God of heaven. The New Testament teaches that praising God is to be a part of our lives as Christians. “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” (Hebrews 13:15). We often sing the song by Fanny Crosby, “Praise Him, Praise Him,” which includes in the first verse, “Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory; Strength and honor give to His holy Name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children; In His arms He carries them all day long.” It cannot be denied that we are to worship God; however, some have questioned whether it is right to praise Jesus in song.

Jesus accepted worship from both men and angels. Both angels and righteous men refused to do this. When John attempted to worship an angel, the angle refused (Revelation 22:8-9). Peter refused to accept worship from Cornelius (Acts 10:25, 26). Paul and Barnabas refused worship in Lystra (Acts 14:8-18). The fact that Jesus accepted worship from men and angels indicates that He is God and worthy of such veneration. The Hebrew writer said, “And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him” (Hebrews 1:6). At His birth Jesus was worshiped by the wise men who came from the east to find Him (Matthew 2:11). The man who was born blind, whom Jesus healed also worshiped Him and Jesus accepted his worship (John 9:38). After the miracle of the calming of the storm on the sea, the Lord’s own disciples worshiped him (Matthew 14:33). Note: though Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith during the storm (verse 31), He did not rebuke them for worshiping him. After Jesus was raised from the dead, the disciples worshiped Him (Matthew 28:16-17). Then again in Luke 24:51-52, in connection with His ascension we read, “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”

All attributes of deity are attributed to Him and make Him worthy of receiving worship. He is omnipresent (Matthew 28:20); omnipotent (Matthew 28:18); omniscient (Colossians 2:3); eternal (John 1:1; 8:58; 17:5); He is one with the Father (John 5:22-23; John 10:30). He shared in creation and preservation of that creation (Colossians 1:17). He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). He is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the very image of His Father’s substance (Hebrews 1:3). He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18); He is the searcher of hearts (John 2:25; Revelation 2:23); He is the author of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10); He our High Priest (Hebrews 4:15); He is our mediator (I Timothy 2:25) and He is our advocate (I John 2:1).

The scene presented of Jesus in heaven by John shows him worthy of receiving worship. “And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood (men) of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, and madest them (to be) unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon earth. And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, (be) the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever. And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshiped” (Revelation 5:9-14 ).

Indeed, the Lamb of God is worthy of our praise.

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