Article July 4, 1931 Issue

"Praise ye the Lord"

JOHN TIRRILL DICKIE

The Bible abounds in admonitions to praise God. While singing is frequently recommended, other ways of praising are also more or less clearly indicated there. One very illuminating admonition is contained in the forty-second and forty-third Psalms, being repeated in words that might well have come from the lips of a devout believer and earnest worker whose demonstration seemed to be delayed in its appearing: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."

It is evident that the Psalmist was expecting to show forth his praise to God in a more substantial way than by mere song. His actions, his health, his thoughts, and his confidence in God, good,—the measure of his reflection of perfection,—were to be his praise. Since actions speak louder than words, what praise could be greater than actions based on confidence in God?

The Scriptures show that confidence in God is required before results are manifest. Not that, in absolute reality, God knows man other than as perfect and whole, happy and contented, and engaged in doing exactly what He created man to do; but from the human standpoint confidence in God is a necessity. In the healings performed by Jesus it will be found that some action showing a measure of confidence was first required: for instance, in his commands, "Take up thy bed, and go thy way," and, "According to your faith be it unto you;" and in his instructions to the lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. The healings came about when a sincere effort was made to comply with his commands.

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Learning to Forgive
July 4, 1931
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