"Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together.”-Psalm 34:3
Have you noticed how when we discover something we enjoy, something we love, we want to share it with others? For example, I know that when I hear a great song that inspires me, I want others to hear it too. I’ll talk about the song. I will tell people that they have to give it a listen. I will even send them the link. The same is true for when I find a good restaurant or tasty food. I’ll tell friends and family, “Hey, you should go eat at ___ (wherever it is).” We often want others to experience something good that we have experienced. I believe this is similar to what David experienced in the Old Testament and wrote about in the Psalms. David encountered for himself, God and the joy of taking refuge in Him, God's timely help, His protection, and how nothing compares even closely with God.
In Psalm 34, we read of David praying in response to a powerful interaction he had with God that forever changed him. God’s goodness had swept over David, so he couldn’t help but praise God, saying, “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises” (Psalm 34:1). As we read a little further into the Psalm, we soon see that David didn’t want to praise God just by himself though. He was so moved by God that he wanted everyone to join in with him, so David went on to pray in Psalm 34:3, “Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together.” David personally praised God. Additionally, David wanted to communally praise the Lord!
May David’s example greatly encourage each of us to praise the Lord at all times. When life is really hard, what should we do? Praise the Lord. When life is just lovely and all seems well, what should we do? Praise the Lord! Praising God is always great because God is faithfully great. It is also ever good for our souls to praise the Lord, helping to keep us focused on Jesus no matter the circumstance. And as David modeled well in Psalm 34, let’s praise God together often! Together is better, especially for reminding one another of God’s incomparable greatness. Together, we need to glorify God! In looking to God together, we remind one another of the help and hope we find in Him alone. For this reason, let's gather with brothers and sisters in Christ often, and “…let us exalt His name together!”
Godspeed, friends!
-Scott