Obedience is the Catalyst for Praise - 1 Chronicles 15-19

1 Chronicles 16:8-12 (ESV)

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

Seek the LORD and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

We are to forever praise God and remember his works.  The above song was sung as a song of praise for bringing back the Ark of the Covenant.   The first attempt to bring back the Ark failed in a the death of one of David’s men.  They were supposed to carry the Ark on their shoulders by poles.  Instead David used a cart the firs time and when the Ark started to fall off the cart someone put their hand on the Ark and fell, instantly, dead.   This time David brought back the Ark the right way.  David said to the priest and Levites:

1 Chronicles 15:13 (ESV)

Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.”

So this song is not just sung in celebration of the Ark being returned to the Tabernacle.  It is a song to rejoice that the Ark was returned in the way God wanted it returned.  Obedience is the best cause for praise and worship.   We can rejoice and praise God for any reason.  But when we have accomplished something great for God and with God’s power and in obedience to God’s judgement, our praise takes on even greater meaning.   David broke out in song because he realized what he accomplished by bringing the Ark back.  It was a work of God through him, not by him.   This is why you see the phrases in this song to thank God for His deeds, His wondrous works, His miracles and His judgements.   In our society today we often write songs about our accomplishments.  We break out in praise of us.   We celebrate what we have done.   But in David’s heart it was not about him.  It was about worshipping and praising God for what He has done.  That is genuine praise.