LISTEN BEFORE YOU PRAISE

Psalm 81 teaches us that before our mouths can be filled with God’s praise, our ears must be open to God’s voice, v. 8. It is sobering to learn that in ourselves we are incapable of expressing even our heart’s gratitude to God without a divine initiative. Faith was generated in our hearts by the Word, Rom. 10. 17; our deep realization of God as Father is the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, 8. 15; and our adoration too is the result of His gracious activity, for “we worship by the Spirit of God”, Phil. 3. 3 R.V. True worship is the response of those who spend time with the Word.

Israel was exhorted to praise the right object, “God our strength”, v. 1, with the appropriate accompaniment, “the timbrel, the pleasant harp”, v. 2, and at the appointed time, “on our solemn feast day”, v. 3. Today, the believer’s worship has God as its object, Christ as its subject, and the Holy Spirit as its energy, for “through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father”, Eph. 2. 18. Our accompaniment now is a whole-hearted devotedness to God, Rom. 12. 1, for pious words are of no value unless they proceed from a thankful heart and are reflected in godly living. In place of Israel’s annual feasts we have the privilege of eternal, unbarred access into the immediate presence of the living God on the basis of the finished work of Calvary, Heb. 10. 19, 22. Although the Lord’s Supper is our special weekly appointment for corporate worship, adoration is to be our constant attitude of heart towards God, 13. 15.

But Israel could never effectively fulfil these instructions without heeding God’s Word. Thus God reminds His people of their redemption, vv. 5-7, their separation to Himself, vv. 810, and their subjection to His divine discipline, vv. 11-13. The foundation of our relationship with God is redemption, speaking of an infinitely costly deliverance, “ye are not your own …For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God”, 1 Cor. 6. 20. Separation is a joyful responsibility, and discipline the token of a Father’s love. Should not such high honours fill our mouths with praise?

“As the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice”, Psa. 95. 7; Heb. 3. 7.