While reading Psalm 149 yesterday morning, the following stood out to me, Let the high praises of God be in their mouth (149:6a). What does the psalmist mean by high praises?
- Praise is speaking or singing specifically of the greatness of God, Who He is, His attributes. Since He is the transcendent God, the God above all gods, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, then I must give Him the high praise, the highest praise.
- High praise means that my praise must be elevated. Weak, timid praise does not glorify my God. I need to elevate His praise in my heart, before the hearing of men, and in priority. Charles H. Spurgeon said, “We praise a great God! We should, therefore, praise Him with high feelings, feelings wound up to the highest point of high delight and high desire! Our praises should climb up to heaven’s gate—running up Jacob’s ladder even as the angels did—till we cast our praises right at the foot of the eternal Throne of God.”
- High praise must be in my mouth. This means “in their throat.” Our praise should come from deep within us, from a heart that adores our God and loves Him with my all!!
Psalm 149 begins and ends with these words: Praise ye the LORD! How do you begin your day and how do you end it? What is found in your mouth in between the beginning and the end? Let the saints be joyful . . . let them sing aloud . . . let the high praises of God be in their mouths (149:5-6).
From A Pastor's Heart 