“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matt. 6:7, NKJV)
To praise God with singing and instruments, as individual, but also as part of a corporate body, was clearly a Biblical mandate in the Old Covenant. Ps. 66:8 does after all proclaim – “Oh, bless our God, you peoples, and make the voice of His praise to be heard …”
It is thus very important to note that the mandate of Old Testament praise is not just transferred to the New Testament. “The primary mission of Jesus was to tear down religion as the foundation for people’s connection with God and to replace it with Himself – the Divine coming to us in our own context and own form. This is what Jesus called ‘the kingdom of God’. It is God and his people, living together the way he originally intended.” (Bruxy Cavey: The End of Religion, p. 23).
When Jesus teaches us about prayer, as the Scripture above noted, it is also applicable to praise. The Greek word that is used here is “vain repetitions”, and according to Thayer means: battologeō, which points to a person named Battus, a Greek poet “who made long and weary verses, declaring by many forms and endless repetitions the same sentiment. Hence, it means to repeat a thing often; to say the same thing in different words, or to repeat the same words.” (Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible). Clarke casts even more light on the matter: “πολυλογια, much speaking, from one Battus, who made very prolix hymns, in which the same idea frequently recurred.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible).
With these words of Jesus as measure concerning the matter of praise in the new covenant, it is absolutely insightful that almost nowhere in the New Testament do we find any evidence of organised praise.
The importance of praise is thus highlighted throughout the new covenant, but it is in no way organised. The five core Scriptures listed below point this out:
- “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (1 Cor. 14:26).
- “ … speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord …” (Eph. 5:19).
- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16).
- “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13).
- “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Heb. 13:15).
- Selah: Examine the five Scriptures listed, in relief to the Old Testament.
- Read: 121; Ps. 123-125; Ps. 128-130
- Memorise: 128
