The Giver, Not the Gifts (Psalm 149)

This morning I read Psalm 149. It’s is one of those Psalms that calls God’s people to worship - to rejoice and give thanks and praise. But I noticed something interesting in verses 2 and 3:

Both verses urge readers to rejoice and be glad and praise, but the the words that immediately follow those actions are important. 

Verse 2 says to rejoice IN THEIR MAKER and be glad IN THEIR KING .
Verse 3 says to praise HIS NAME.

Both verses encourage readers to worship God Himself. His character. His reputation. Who He is. That may seem obvious, but stop and think a minute…think about the usual occasion and content of our praise…

We often praise God for His blessings, for His gifts, for His acts and wonders and miracles. We worship Him for what He’s given and what He’s done. We rejoice in His blessings.

But how often do we worship Him for who He is? How much time do we spend praising His character and rejoicing in HIM? How much of our praise and thanks and gladness is in the Giver, not just the gifts?

In his book Desiring God, Pastor John Piper writes, “in the end, the heart longs not for any of God’s good gifts, but for God himself. To see him and know him and be in his presence is the soul’s final feast.” 

The book of Psalms is FULL of this truth: true and lasting joy are found in Him, in His presence, not just in His gifts. HE is worthy of our praise.