I
s it possible to praise God when circumstances are foreboding? Or to put it differently: where can we find the motivation to praise God in moments of crisis? What does it really mean to praise the name of the Lord? Psalm 113:3 offers a helpful starting point: “From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.” One understanding of this psalm answers the question as to whether it is possible to praise God in moments of crisis. UNDERSTANDING PSALM TYPES
It is helpful to note some general facts about the psalms as we think about Psalm 113:3: (1) Bible scholars identify the psalms by type or category; (2) generally, they agree on at least five types: praise (hallel), wisdom, royal, thanksgiving, and lament psalms.1 Understanding the characteristics of these types will help us as we read the Psalms. Praise (or hallel) psalms focus on the nature of God and not on specific things that He has done. Praise psalms tell about God’s attributes and encourage believers to praise Him for who He is rather than what He has done. In the praise psalms God is praised for His faithfulness, goodness, righteousness, judgment, and wisdom. Psalms 113-118 are generally identified as the hallel psalms. Wisdom psalms define that which differentiates the righteous from the wicked. Psalm 14, for example, defines the wise as those who pursue “understanding, and seek after God” (verse 2).
Devotional
Praising God in Uncertain Times 18
April 2021 AdventistWorld.org
Image: Kyle Cotrell
