Why We Should Praise God
Psalm 33 is a beautiful reminder of the importance of praising
Jehovah. The psalmist gives four clear reasons why God deserves our
worship. Unlike many psalms, this one has no superscription—we don’t
know who wrote it or the circumstances behind it. But what we do
know is enough: it is entirely focused on why we must rejoice in the
Lord and lift up His name. It begins with a call to worship, then
unfolds into four powerful reasons why God deserves our praise. Each
reason is a sermon in itself, showing us who God is, what He has
done, and why our response must be worship.
Praise From
the Upright Is Beautiful (Psalm 33:1–3)
The psalm begins by calling God’s people to rejoice: “Rejoice in the
Lord, O you righteous, for praise from the upright is beautiful.”
God does not accept worship from just anyone. Only the upright—those
who live faithfully, who are blameless before Him—are pleasing to
Him. When His people gather to worship, God sees it as beautiful.
Our worship is
not about sound or performance—it is about the heart. Singing,
praying, reading Scripture, and joining together as His family is
considered beautiful in His sight. He calls for singing with joy,
playing skillfully, and lifting up praise with gladness. Under the
Law of Moses, that meant harps and lyres. Today, under Christ, our
worship is spiritual and offered from the heart. But the principle
remains: praise should be joyful and sincere, for God considers it
beautiful.
Reason #1:
We Praise Him Because of His Nature (Psalm 33:4–5)
“For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in
truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the
goodness of the Lord.”
We worship God
because of who He is. His word is right, His work is true, and His
character is perfect. He is upright and full of integrity, always
acting with pure motives. He loves righteousness and justice. He is
holy, completely separate from sin.
The earth itself
reflects His goodness. Sadly, many only see ugliness in the world.
But when we open our eyes, we see His goodness everywhere—in
creation, in opportunities to do good, in each new day. We worship
Him for His nature: righteous, just, and holy.
Reason #2:
We Praise Him Because of His Creation (Psalm 33:6–9)
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made… For He spoke, and it
was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”
God spoke, and
the universe came into existence. In the blink of an eye, He created
the heavens, the earth, and all that is in them. His power is beyond
human comprehension. Job 26:11–14 says we can only glimpse “the mere
edges of His ways.” Job 38:8–11 shows His power over the seas,
setting their boundaries.
When we look at
the complexity of a cell or the vastness of the galaxies, we should
stand in awe. He made it all by His word. This is why all the earth
should fear Him and stand in awe of Him. His creative power demands
our worship.
Reason #3:
We Praise Him Because He Rules the World (Psalm 33:10–17)
“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the
plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands
forever.”
God is in
control. Nothing that happens in this world surprises Him. Nations
rise and fall under His will. Isaiah 19:3–4 shows how God determined
the downfall of Egypt. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us: “There are many
plans in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the Lord’s counsel—that will
stand.”
He sees
everything. He knows every thought, motive, and action of every
person on earth. No king is saved by his army; no warrior by his
strength; no horse by its power. God rules over all. He alone has
true strength.
Reason #4:
We Praise Him Because He Cares for His People (Psalm 33:18–22)
“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who
hope in His mercy.”
God cares for
His people in a special way. We are His prized possession, His
treasured inheritance. He watches over us, provides for us, and
delivers us. Psalm 37:18–19 says, “The Lord knows the days of the
upright, and their inheritance shall be forever.”
God gave us an
eternal spirit because He wants us to live with Him forever. He
cares for us in ways the world cannot see. Because of this steadfast
love, we worship Him with thankful hearts.
Why We Must
Praise Him
When we put it all together, the psalm gives us four reasons to
praise God: His nature, His creation, His rule, and His care for us.
These are not abstract ideas—they are real, daily reasons to lift
our voices in joy. If God is holy, powerful, sovereign, and loving,
then how could we not worship Him?
Why We Should Praise God
Sermon Outline:
I. Praise
from the Upright (Psalm 33:1–3)
II. Reason
#1: God’s Nature (Psalm 33:4–5)
-
His word is
right; His works are truth.
-
He is
righteous, just, and holy.
-
The earth is
full of His goodness.
III. Reason
#2: God’s Creation (Psalm 33:6–9)
-
He spoke,
and the universe came into existence.
-
His power is
limitless, beyond human comprehension.
-
All the
earth should stand in awe of Him.
IV. Reason
#3: God’s Rule Over the Nations (Psalm 33:10–17)
-
He
frustrates the plans of nations.
-
His counsel
stands forever (Proverbs 19:21).
-
No king or
army has power apart from Him.
V. Reason
#4: God’s Care for His People (Psalm 33:18–22)
-
His eye is
on those who fear Him.
-
He delivers,
protects, and blesses His people.
-
We are His
treasured possession, given eternal souls.
Call to
Action
If God has done all of this—if He is holy, if He created the
universe, if He rules the nations, and if He cares for us—how could
we not give Him our worship? He calls us to respond with faithful
lives, upright hearts, and joyful praise. Have you given Him your
heart? Have you confessed Christ, repented, and been baptized for
the forgiveness of your sins? If not, today is the day to begin
worshiping Him as He desires.
Key
Takeaways
-
True worship
is accepted only from the upright (Psalm 33:1–3).
-
We praise
God because of His righteous nature (Psalm 33:4–5).
-
His creation
demonstrates His power and authority (Psalm 33:6–9).
-
God rules
over the nations and frustrates human plans (Psalm 33:10–17;
Proverbs 19:21).
-
He watches
over His people with steadfast love (Psalm 33:18–22).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Psalm 33:
The main text.
-
Job 26:11–14
– glimpses of God’s power.
-
Job 38:8–11
– God’s power over the seas.
-
Isaiah
19:3–4 – God’s control over Egypt.
-
Proverbs
19:21 – God’s counsel stands forever.
-
Psalm
37:18–19 – God cares for the upright.
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
