Prelude of praise

I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.  — Psalm 61:8

We enter a concert hall, find our seats, and listen with anticipation as the members of the orchestra tune their instruments. The sound is discordant, not melodic. But the tuning is simply a prelude to the symphony.

C. S. Lewis suggested that’s how it is with our devotional practices and even our worship services. Sometimes they sound discordant, but God hears our prayers and praises with fatherly delight. We are really preparing for participation in the glorious symphony of heaven. Now we are making a minuscule contribution to the harmonies of angelic and redeemed hosts. But our adoration, though feeble, pleases the heart of the Divine Listener more than the finest rendition of earth’s greatest orchestra.

Are we eagerly awaiting our participation in heaven’s symphony of praise? Are we joyfully participating in the adoration that delights the heart of God? Or do we regard devotion as more of a discipline than a delight?

Our attitudes will be transformed when we realize that praise delights God’s heart. Praise helps us to tune our lives to heavenly harmonies.

Praise is an indispensable preparation for the worship that will be our eternal joy. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Ps. 150:6)

— Vernon Grounds

Joyfully, heartily resounding, Let every instrument and voice

Peal out the praise of grace abounding, Calling the whole world to rejoice.

 — Routley

READ:  Psalm 150

The heart filled with praise

brings pleasure to God.

The Bible in one year:

• Psalms 148-150

• 1 Corinthians 15:29-58