Focus: Poised For The Praise Of God!

Text: Ps.65:1

"Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion…"

David conquered the Jebusites and took over Zion, converting it to the home of praise for the Lord. David moved his capital from Jerusalem to Zion and erected a tent in which he placed the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized the presence of God among His own people. And that meant the existence of two tents of worship, the tent of Moses and that of David. 

David left the tent of Moses in Gibeon and appointed Zadok the priest to serve there. He appointed Abiathar the priest to serve in the tent in Zion. Zion is known as the city of David and the city of God. 1Chron.11:5 says, "Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David." The author of Hebrews says, "But ye are come to mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God…" (Heb.12:22). Zion served as God's sacred shrine. It was God's holy place and the place of deliverance and possession for God's people. Prophet Obadiah declares, "But upon mount Zion shall be DELIVERANCE, and there shall be HOLINESS; and the house of Jacob shall possess their POSSESSIONS" (Obad.1:17).

David did something worth considering. He allowed everyone to go to the tent of Moses at Gibeon for their sacrifices, but the tent in Zion was only for praises. So Zion served as the home of divine praises. He appointed Abiathar to serve in it as the priest and Asaph as the chief singer. Round the clock praises were going up to the Lord. Zion dwellers were worshippers. Now every believer in Christ has come to Mount Zion the place of prayer and praise. We have moved from Sinai to Zion. Peter says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1Pet.2:9). 

We are called to proclaim the praises of God.

Our text says that praise waits for God in Zion. The word in Hebrew for 'waiteth' means to be still or quiet, and that informs Eugene Peterson's translation, which says, "Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God…" For me, I see it as praise quietly or silently waiting for God in Zion. In other words, praise is in the oven for God. Praise is cooking for God. Praise is getting ready to go full blast from God's people. Praise is about to go full throttle. Praise is processing. Praise is on the pipeline for God. God's people are about to let loose God's praise. I call this 'the still voice of praise.' Yes, Zion is the home of full blast praise.

The psalmist is addressing God. He's singing into God's ears. He's telling God that He's worth celebrating, and that His arrival in Zion would not be ignored nor taken for granted.

The word of God in the heart produces songs in the mouth. Paul says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col.3:16). 

Spiritual songs flow from a heart that is filled with the word of God. Doctrine in the soul results in spiritual worship. It is from the heart that we make melody to the Lord.

The psalmist says, "Let the WORDS OF MY MOUTH, and the MEDITATION OF MY HEART, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer" (Ps.19:14). The mouth and the heart are forever connected. The mouth unveils the heart. Paul teaches us that by being filled with the Spirit we begin "SPEAKING to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART to the Lord" (Eph.5:19).

Your heart is God's Zion. Your whole life as a believer in Christ is wired for divine praise. The presence of God in your life should inspire praise. The word of God in your heart should ginger you for God's praise. In your silent moments let the momentum of praise be building up in your spirit! Praise the Lord at all times! Sing His praises! Celebrate God's presence in your life! Make your heart ready to praise God! Live a life of praising God! Get poised for God's praise! Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter