Praise the Lord. (Ps. 113:1)
THE PSALMIST CRIED OUT, “Praise the Lord!” He was blessing God and rejoicing in what He had done. A pastor friend of mine loves to speak about stupendous praise. When I asked him what he meant by it, he shared, “Stupendous praise touches one’s emotions and spirit. For some, it even touches their physical being.” Some may call this radical praise or outrageous praise.
The account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is an example. During this entry, Christ was recognized as, and given the reception of, a king, even though it was only for a short time. Some of the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Some of the people took off their coats and laid them on the ground before Him. I doubt that these were spare coats that they usually had hanging in their closet at home. They were most likely their only over-garments. What they did reflected stupendous praise! Stupendous praise can be vocal and can cause some to have an I-have-to-dance kind of joy.
Some of the Pharisees weren’t all that happy about such an outrageous display of emotions. They went to Jesus and said, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” Jesus replied, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Stones crying out—now that’s outrageous, radical, stupendous praise!
Don’t be afraid to heartily praise the Lord. He is worthy of your praise.
Jim Lo is the author of Connect with God: The Purpose of Prayer (WPH), coauthor of Unholiness (WPH), and the dean of chapel at Indiana Wesleyan University.
