This psalm begins a series on praise. How are we supposed to praise God and why? We are to praise Him by clapping our hands, by shouting joyful praise. We can praise Him with musical instruments and by singing.
Why should we praise Him? The psalmist gives us a long list:
- God is awesome;
- God is King of all the earth;
- God subdues the nations protecting His people;
- God has given us an inheritance;
- God reigns above the nations, sitting on His throne;
- All the kings of the earth belong to God;
- God is highly honored everywhere.
While we may not understand how all these things can be true as we look at the world around us, we must accept it by faith. We cannot see all that God is doing in the world, in our nation or even in our lives. God, the Bible says, works in mysterious ways. Sometimes He blesses nations and sometimes He punishes them. Sometimes He gives a dream of what He wants us to do but then delays our opportunity to do it. Whether life is confusing, disturbing or great, we are to praise Him.