The last few Psalms are Psalms of explosive praise and worship. Verses 1 & 2 of Psalm 146 illustrates. They say, “Let all that I am praise the LORD. I will praise the LORD as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.”
Wiersbe says, “God gives us life and breath, so it is only right that we use that life and breath to praise Him. To receive the gifts and ignore the Giver is the essence of idolatry. The writer promised God he would praise Him all of his life, and certainly this is wise preparation for praising Him for eternity. To live a life of praise is to overcome criticism and complaining, to stop competing against others and comparing ourselves with them. It means to be grateful in and for everything and really believe that God is working all things together for our good. A life of praise is free from constant anxiety and discouragement as we focus on the Lord, who is mentioned eleven times in this psalm.”
Fanny Crosby, blind American poetess, wrote between 8,000 and 9,000 hymns. “Praise Him! Praise Him!” first appeared in a the hymnal, Bright Jewels, which was published in 1869. The song was originally titled “Praise, Give Thanks.” It says: Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory; strength and honor give to His holy name! Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children. In His arms He carries them all day long: Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins He suffered, and bled and died; He, our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified. Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows; love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong: Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring. Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King! Christ is coming! over the world victorious, pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong: Refrain: Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness; praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song!
Chuck
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)