CHOOSING TO PRAISE AND MAGNIFY THE LORD
The inscription to this psalm attributed it to David, who gave it to his Chief Musician with the instruction that it be set to the tune of “The Lilies.” David was a prolific song writer and gifted musician. As a young man, he played the harp to ease the troubled spirit of King Saul. When David became king, he established a large number of musicians to serve in the Temple. David loved worshiping the Lord with music.
In Psalm 69:30, David declared his intent to praise the “name” of God with a song. This indicated his desire to write and sing a song that lifted up the wonderful character of God’s name. This brings to mind Handel’s “Messiah,” which put to music the words of Isaiah, “And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
David also declared his intent to magnify God with thanksgiving. How can one “magnify” or enlarge the One who is already greater than all? One can’t. Yet, one can enlarge one’s own perspective of God by thanking Him for His many blessings. David meant to sing a song of such thanksgiving to God that his own view of God would be magnified.
How can we praise and magnify the Lord with a song today? We can’t all be gifted musicians like David, but all of us can “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psa.100:1). We can decide in advance that in spite of today’s circumstances, we will praise the name of the Lord in song and magnify Him with thanksgiving!
PRAYER: Dear Father, our love for You is so beyond speaking that only singing will suffice. Forgive our faltering voices, for Your ears must be accustomed to the angelic choir of heaven. Yet, we sing to You as Your children, adopted into the family of God by our faith in Your Son, Jesus. So we have hope that our singing will please You, as the singing of a child pleases a parent. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.