PRAISE TO THE KING

“With trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the LORD, THE KING” – Psalm 98:6

It is a rare honour to be chosen to offer PRAISE to the KING: “Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the LORD, THE KING” (vv.4-6). Psalms 149:6 speaks of “the High Praises of God” – loud praises that burst forth like the blast of a trumpet. High Praises are the befitting sacrifices of kings to JESUS the King of kings and Lord of lords: “And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev.5:9-10).

Only the King of kings is worthy of the Highest Praise that comes from kings to their King! Psalm 95:1-2 says “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His Presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” The spirit of dominion is let loose in any place where high praises are offered to God without apologies and reservations. If you are in a situation that seems to be negative, and you are wondering how you would manage it, as a king, simply look to the King of kings, from whom your royalty is sourced, and begin to praise Him with a high praise and see His judgment released in that situation, in your favour.

Our meditation text begins on the note of New Songs: “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory” (v.1). Songs are drivers of great movements – social or spiritual. Through songs people are inspired, mobilised, and motivated to action. War songs characterise times of war; while in times of peace there are songs that extol the virtues of peace. It is no wonder then that serving God has always involved the singing of songs of praise. As we marvel at the Majesty of God we burst forth in songs to extol His greatness. The psalmist ascribes singing to all of creation – waves, rivers, and mountains: “Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it; let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord” (vv.7-9).

When Jesus was born on earth, the angels were joined with the heavenly host in praise to Him, His holy name and His mission of redemption. In the book of Revelation we read of the elders being joined by the heavenly hosts and all of the redeemed in songs of praise to the Lamb and the Father on His throne (Rev.14:3). As we go through the rest of our days, we can trust the Lord to inspire in us New Songs to His Praise. We can sing songs that teach His word and songs that edify the saints. It is not the sweetness of our voices or the melodies of the music that matter as much as the harmony of our hearts that ascends to Him as a sweet aroma. As we sing, we lift up our very souls to Him in songs.

Beloved, as a king and a worshipper of the King of the Universe, high praises ought not to be strange to you. Kings are not allergic to exuberant, high praises. King David “and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet” (2Sam.6:15). This is a culture of kings; let it be your culture also.

I declare that I am a king and worshipper of the King. My lips are always filled with praises to the King of kings. It is my culture to sing praises aloud to the Lord of lords. I shout to my King, Alleluia!