worship

At a very low point in David’s life he wrote: “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)

David had lost his position, been driven from his home, his wife had been taken from him and the king had put out a contract on his life! I don’t know how it can get a lot worse. How could he be in the mood to worship with such devotion and enthusiasm?

David understood some very important things about the effects of worship.

For instance, David knew that worship gives us a fresh perspective. In verse 4 of that same Psalm he writes: “I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Worship changes the angle from which we view our circumstances. We see things from God’s perspective.

Worship causes us to remember what God has already done. Verse 6 says: “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” When we worship we are reminded that there is nothing too hard for God (Genesis 18:14).

Worship is a declaration of truth. When we worship as Jesus said we should, in Spirit and truth (John 4:23), we speak truth to the lies the enemy tries to influence us with. David proclaimed in verse 7: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.”

Lastly, worship helps us to focus on God’s purpose for the difficulties in our life and reminds us that he is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). In verse 19 David reminds us: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

With these things in mind, the Psalmist invites us to join him in worshipping God.

“My soul will make its boast in the LORD; the humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.” (Verses 2, 3)