The Summation of the Portraits of Praise - June 2, 2010

Because I did not make an entry to the blog in the month of May, it is already time to review all eight portraits of praise that we have seen over the last several weeks. We will begin by looking at eight of the Hebrew words for praise and their defintions. Included is also a Scripture reference and a practical application for worship.

1. tehillah = hymn; to laud.
This specific word is found is Psalms 22:3. The physical action of worship related with it is to applaud.

2. harak = submission; to adore.
This specific word is found in Psalms 72:11-15. The physical action of worship related with it is to kneel down in a bowed position with the face to the ground.

3. halal = victory; to boast or brag on the Lord to the point of looking foolish.
This specific word is found in 2 Chronicles 5:13-14. The physical action of worship related with it is exuberance and total abandonment (ex. King David dancing).

4. hilluwl = joy; to rejoice and be merry...a celebration of thanksgiving for harvest.
This specific word is found in Leviticus 19:24. The physical action of worship related with it is to give hilariously.

5. shabach = triumph; to address in a loud voice or a shout of triumph.
This specific word is found in Psalms 63:3. The physical action of worship related with it is to shout praise.

6. zamar = to strike with the fingers; to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument; making celebratory music that is accompanied by the voice.
This specific word is found in Psalms 21:13. The physical action of worship related with it is to praise God accompanied with musical instruments and also with dance.

7. yadah = hold out the hand.It conveys the idea of acknowledging a need combined with faith resulting in thanksgiving to God the Provider.
This specific word is seen in Psalms 7:17. The physical action of worship related with it is lifting up hands to God with palms open. This was typically practiced in the context of corporate worship.

8. todah = an extension of the hand.This word has the concept of giving praise to God as a sacrifice or an act of the will.
This specific word is found in Psalms 42:4. The physical action of worship related with it is to lift hands in adoration.

When we think of praising God, often times we view it as solely something that we offer to Him; however, there is much more that occurs in the spiritual dimension when we offer God our praise. There is a general spiritual principle that whenever we give, we also receive. Typically people associate this principle within the context of giving monetarily, but the scriptures tell us that whatever a man sows, he will also reap. That includes even praising the Lord!

If I give the Lord praise, He will reciprocate by giving back to me because it is His nature as THE GIVER. What does God give in response to my praise? He draws near to me with expressions of love, joy, hope, peace and provision. He even responds with acts of healing because He is THE HEALER too. This particular aspect of the Lord is something that I've never recognized before in worship, and so I would like to share with you an example of His healing in the midst of praise to Him.

In 1 Samuel 16:14-23 we see the account of how God anointed David and used his worship and musical skill on the harp to bring healing to King Saul's distressed soul. Specifically in verse 23 it says,

"And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him."

The use of worship music is seen as a powerful instrument to wage spiritual battle against evil spirits and bring the power of God's healing touch into a person's life.

Interestingly enough, just as David's ability to play the harp assisted the troubled soul of King Saul, even today harpists are being employed by various nursing homes and hospitals. Several medical studies have revealed that harp music played for patients in cardiac units reduces anxiety, pain, blood pressure, respiratory rates and that levels of stress hormones released are reduced by 50 percent. It has also been observed that when the sickest infants in a neonatal intensive care unit were exposed to harp music that there was a small increase of the oxygen level after the music began. If music has the ability to bring these type of physical changes, how much more could be accomplished when God's ability is invited in the midst of this powerful tool?

Isn't it just like God to take something that we offer Him and turn around to bless us beyond what we could ever ask or imagine? What He desires from us is our love and trust expressed in adoration of Him...not because He is an egotist, but because adoration demonstrates our confidence that he is willing and able to act on our behalf. When we draw near to God with praise, He will always respond by giving us Himself. He IS our peace. He IS our joy. He IS our strength. He IS whatever we need and so...He is our healing of spirit, soul and body, too. Because He is so wonderful, let us lift our voices, our hands...our ENTIRE beings in praise to the One who gave Himself for us so that we could know Him as HE really IS!