Making the Case for Praise

Making the case for for praise has the back drop of the Ark coming back to Jerusalem. After the Ark arise after that earlier debacle the praise is at a level that will have David dancing to a point he has dance until his ephod lifts that he is exposed. I left off there last week.

Recounting the arrival of the Ark in Chapter 15 David had the Levites with over 750 various individuals of priestly decent to prepare the arrival of the Ark. He ask for them to consecrate themselves.

The were also musicians, singers who were appointed to play harps, lyres, cymbals.

They offered 7 bulls and 7 rams as the Ark . 2 Samuel 6 makes this more dramatic because it was every 6 steps that one bull and 1 ram was offered until the the total of 7 oxen and 7 rams were offered. David and all the house of Israel brought the Ark of the Lord up with shouting! David was a praiser!

Understanding David and his adventures and events helps you get a clearer picture of why Davis was a praiser. We will learn David was a warrior, a prayer, one who encourages, a worshipper. Yet here we see him leading the praise.

After David finishes praising God he blessed the with a cake of bread, a portion of meat and a cake of raisins.

Its important to understand who David was. David came into Kingship at age 30 and reigned for 40 years. David’s reign as king of Israel (about 1010–970 B.C.).

During David’s reign Israel’s borders were extended roughly from Egypt to the Euphrates. While David had many successes, after his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah (ch. 11) both his kingdom and his own family fell into chaos. His son Absalom led a bloody rebellion against him.

Nevertheless David, author of many of the Psalms, was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), a model of deep, heartfelt prayer and repentance.

The Davidic Covenant of chapter 7 establishes the eternal rule of David’s line, with its ultimate fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ.

So as we go into the year of praising him more 2024 i want to make the case for Praise. Its easy for me to say praise the Lord! I can even take you to Psalm 105. Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

2  Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

3  Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! (Ps 105:1–3).

Or even Psalm 106 Praise the LORD!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

2  Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD,

or declare all his praise? (Ps 106:1–2).

Or Psalm 95 95 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

2  Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! (Ps 95:1–2).

Praise is the fundamental way of getting God’s attention. Yes he rewards them that diligently seek him but we know he inhabits the praises of his people.

1 Chronicles 16 verse 8 through 36 is David Psalm or Song of Praise.

He lays out the case of why we should give The Lord praise.

For the next two Sundays I want to make the case for praise.

David opens this song

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,

Make known his deeds among the people.

9  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him,

Talk ye of all his wondrous works.

10  Glory ye in his holy name:

Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11  Seek the LORD and his strength,

Seek his face continually. (1 Ch 16:8–11).

First we must remember his marvellous works.

So often we act like we forgot how the Lord is blessed us. Psalm 77:11-12

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

12  I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds. (Ps 77:11–12).

Psalm 143:5 says

5  I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all that you have done;

I ponder the work of your hands. (Ps 143:5).

We must continue to remember how good God has been to each of us. There are things that you have not shared that God has done for you. He has been a keeper, sustainer, provider, healer, deliverer, mind regulator. So much he has done. He has performed miracles. David calls us the praise the Lord as his chosen ones.

Secondly He is the Lord our God

Its just that simple. He is the Lord our God! He is the Lord our God!

In all that there is such power. He is the Lord our God! promise keeping God. David said remember his covenant forever.

The Lord made promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,

David describes it as a everlasting covenant! Do you remember what what he shared with Abraham in Genesis 13 and Genesis 15 To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance.” (1 Ch 16:18). God has been faithful. David reminds them when you were few in number but God Blessed you! Look at Duet 7:7 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. (Dt 7:7–9).

You are not sitting here today because you we so much smarter than the next one or that you had greater strength than the enemy who was out to destroy you. You are here because God loves you! He promised you that he would never leave you nor forsake you! David had to remind them it was God he allowed no one to oppress them;

he rebuked kings on their account,

22  saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,

do my prophets no harm!” (1 Ch 16:21–22).

Finally it as simple as this Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

27  Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy are in his place. (1 Ch 16:26–27).

If you don’t know by now you will never know! The Lord deserves the praise!

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

29  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come before him!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

30  tremble before him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

31  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” (1 Ch 16:28–31).