Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
For the LORD Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.
He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.
We sometimes believe that worship is a duty or obligation, but rather it is a joyful response to who God is and what he does. Notice the exuberance with which the psalmst calls us to worship and praise God.
“Clap your hands, all you nations,” he urges. “Shout to God with cries of joy. For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.” The psalmist emphasizes that God is not just the King of Israel, but the King of all the earth, and therefore all peoples and nations are to acknowledge and worship Him.
As believers, we are called to join in this call to worship and praise God with joy and song. Praising God is not for God’s benefit; it is for ours.Praising God helps us to focus on his goodness and greatness rather than on our problems and difficulties. This shifts our perspective from negative to positive, leading to a sense of peace and contentment.
Praising God can also lead to an experience of joy and gratitude, which can have positive effects on our mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that people who practice gratitude and express it through praise or thanksgiving tend to have better moods, less stress, and a more optimistic outlook on life.
Praising God can bring us closer to him and deepen our relationship with him. By acknowledging his goodness and power, we open ourselves up to his love and guidance, which can help us navigate the challenges of life.
Lastly, praising God can have a transformative effect on our character, making us more humble, compassionate, and loving towards others. As we become more like God, we are better able to reflect his love and goodness to those around us.
So, praise the Lord!