Psalm 113

What does it mean for you and I to praise the Lord?

This is the third psalm in a row to begin with the simple words, “Praise the Lord!” But what does it mean?

Isn't it just calling us together for worship? But it cannot be just a simple going through the motions of liturgy. We want to praise Someone who we would know to be there with us. We can only praise the Lord in person if He shows up. We are desperate for Him to answer our first prayer of worship, an “invocation.”

We know that God is everywhere, but when we invoke His presence we are simply asking Him to make Himself known again in our midst. That's the way that we want to praise the Lord. We want Him to show up, and then we want to show up in Spirit and in truth. This is worth asking for. We want to serve Him with worship. We want to glorify His Name. He wants that too. We should have no doubt that if we ask, we will receive.

God is not bound by just one special place and time. His Name will be praised forever, and there is no place so dead that He cannot bring life there.

They get this right in heaven. They praise the Lord there. They know that He is with them, and they gladly come before Him without delay, excuse or challenge. He is the Lord of heavenly worship. He can grant us the desire of our hearts too today when we say, “Thy kingdom come.”

He is not stuck in the muck of sickness and sadness. He is seated on His throne. And yet He is very near to all who call upon Him in truth.

He can relate to our poverty. His Son became poor, securing our rich inheritance. He knows what it is to be thrown out by people and left on the ash heap. He was despised and rejected by men. He can make us sit with heavenly princes when we have lost all hope. He knows what it is to be utterly alone. How else can we understand His deep words, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” But He will never forsake us. He will give us a mother's joy again. Praise the Lord of the resurrection!

“Be with us today, Lord. We call upon Your Name.”