Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord.  Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.  Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.  For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.  For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.  Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. (KJV)

The key to understanding this psalm is found in verse 6 ^“The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth”. As one recalls the Lords’ prayer in Matthew chapter six “Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”.  This Psalm is similar to Psalm 115.  Verse six of this Psalm “The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.” compares to verse three of psalm 115 “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.”  Verse fifteen through eighteen of this psalm is similar to verses four through eight of Psalm 115.  Finally, reference is made in both psalms to: the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear the Lord.

These psalms help us understand how God uses the nation of Israel.  It is not because of the greatness of Israel as a nation that God uses this nation, but to the glory of God.  It is because of God’s promises to Adam, Abraham, Isaac,  Jacob, David, and many others that God uses the nation of Israel be bring Him glory.  His dealings with Israel throughout history gives the nations of this world examples of God’s love and faithfulness.   It gives the nations of the world to view God in action.  Yet it leaves an open door for all to had a relationship with Him.  This psalm speaks of praising him, whereas Psalms 115 speaks of trusting Him.  But both Psalms include the phase “those who fear the Lord”.

As I read this psalm I can not help but focus on the word praise.  Praise should be  a very easy task for us in our relationship with the Lord; however, I believe because of the effects of “the cares of this world” on our life we lose our focus on the relationship we are to have with the Lord.  We become so wrapped up in the everyday activities that we seem to forget the most important relationship we have is with the Lord.  Praise is wonderful.  Our relationship with our spouse is also an important relationship we have on this earth.  I have come to realize how important praise is in this relationship.  The simple, yet meaningful words such as my lovely beautiful sweet lovely young lady before I start a conversation can set the stage for a wonderful conversation.  This is the type of praise we need to come before the Lord with in our conversation.  Once we have set in place who God really is than why would we ever question the path he has prepared for us each day.   So as you start this day out start it out by praising the One who will lead you in paths of righteousness through the green pastures and still waters, and if by chance you happen to have to go through the valley shadow of death He will also be there.