Extravagant Praise

This psalm addresses our emotions, mind, choices and future, bathing each one in praise to the Lord. Our emotions are engaged as we worship the Lord with “gladness” and “joy” (2). This is a response to God’s good and faithful love toward us (5), independent of what our circumstances in life may be. Our minds are to “know that the Lord is God” (3) and that God made us. He is the creator of the universe and father of his people, despite what prominent atheists may say to the contrary! These statements are worthy of deep consideration. They are backed up by the evidence of the world all around us and are truly connected to reality. Our choices are challenged, too: we are to “enter his gates” (4). This is something we must desire for ourselves and act upon. No one else can do it for us. Our future is secure—God’s love endures forever and his faithfulness continues through successive generations (5). As we praise him, these different elements come into play in our worship. We are whole people and true worship will exercise our whole being as we “shout for joy to the Lord!”