Praise Him, Praise Him

Joachim Neander (1650-1680)

Praise to the Lord the Almighty, the King of Creation

Oh, my soul, praise Him for He is our hope and salvation 

Oops - my memory hiccupped - I was singing "He is our hope and salvation" which is true, but the lyricist wrote: "He is our health and salvation." Memory does play back warped sometimes. I've sung from hymnals for over seventy years and there are wonderful praise songs in my memory. I firmly believe He told us to address Him as Father, 

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:7-13)

. . . and I find comfort in that. He would gather His children as chicks to be protected - but many would not. 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37)

He knows what we ask before we ask - and He knows what we need, which may be different from what we want: 

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

(Romans 8:26-28)

He also know exactly to the very moment of every day what we need, and it's not just bread on the table, it is every word from God. 

We try to describe our God within the limitations of language and personal knowledge. Seldom do we recall Him walking in the Garden with Adam, or the same picture Micah wrote as to what He requires. 

What does the Lord require of thee:

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, O earth– His wonderful love proclaim!

Only in Psalms do we find the phrase "Praise Him," and we find it 22 times in 18 verses. I honestly don't know how many hymns are in hymn books in churches, but I do know our own church has some favorites - among mine are songs by Fanny Crosby:

• Praise Him! Praise Him!:  Features the repeated refrain, "Praise him, praise him, tell of his excellent greatness!"
• To God Be the Glory: Includes the famous line, "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice!"
• Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It: Contains the line, "I sing of my Savior, and praise him all day."
• Blessed Assurance: Features lines of internal praise like "Praising my Savior all the day long."

For me it's a toss up for favorite between "Redeemed" and "Blessed Assurance." These songs proclaim our Praise for what He has given us - adoption and eternal life. The price paid by God Himself, as planned before creation. 

Come, sing praise with us for and give: 

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15)