PRAISES TO FATHER GOD

Psalms 47:6 says, “Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.” Praises is a major part of most congregations today, and comes in many expressions. Rapping, musical instruments, singing, praise dancing, are all supposedly an uplifting to our Father God. “Praise” in the Hebrew is “zamar {zaw-mar'}”, which means, “to sing and make music, and perhaps identical with the idea of striking with the fingers, meaning to trim, prune.” Christ Jesus teaches us that our "Father God is the Husbandman" or He who prunes [John 15:1]. “Husbandman” is derived from the Greek word “ergon {er'-gon}”, which means, “an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working.” Rapping, musical instruments, singing, praise dancing are all deeds or acts of praising our Father, however is less than the work our Father God is expecting from His children.

Psalms 103:7 says, “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. Psalms 47:7 says, “For God [is] the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. “Ways is derek {deh'-rek}” in the Hebrew, meaning, “to cause to go, lead, march, tread.” The “way” is what leads us through our journey or course of life, meaning, ”Christ Jesus is the Way”, the Word of our Father God made flesh, the glory as of the Only Begotten of our Father, full of grace and truth [John 1:14]. “Acts” is “`aliylah {al-ee-law'} or `alilah {al-ee-law'}” in the Hebrew, meaning, “a practice of doing something” such as rapping for Father God, praise dancing for Father God, singing and playing instruments for Father God, even wantonness. “Deeds” are those things done in a bad sense, such as, “they perverted all their doings, they acted perversely or wickedly.” Therefore, we can surmise that “act” is actually playacting, or one who is a hypocrite. “Understanding” is “sakal {saw-kal'}” in the Hebrew, meaning, “to look at, to attend or turn the mind unto. To have insight, have comprehension, wisdom and prudence, to prosper, have success. To have skill, teach or instruct.”

When you praise our Father God with understanding, He will make known His ways as opposed to His acts unto you as our Father God made known unto Moses. Our Father said of Moses in Deuteronomy 34:10, “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,” Verse 11 says, “In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,” Verse 12 says, “And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.” When you praise our Father God by seeking to understand His ways, like Moses, you will be the instrument our Father God uses to make known His acts as opposed to being one who observes those acts. Paul teaches that we are to walk by faith, and not by sight [II Corinthians 5:7]. Therefore, understanding our Father God’s ways requires faith, while observing His acts requires only see, feel and touch, “which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.” Paul further teaches us that without faith it is impossible to please our Father God [Hebrews 11:6]. “Wherefore, let us labor by faith to know our Father God’s ways, and not to behold His acts, that we may be accepted of Him.” Once again, we know through the teachings of Paul that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of our Father God [Romans 10:17]. Therefore, our Father God’s ways are realized by understanding His Word. Praise ye the LORD! Matthew 17:5 says, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

Yours In Christ,
I Bid You Peace