1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
This psalm begins with the sound of great joy and worship: “Praise ye the LORD”. The Hebrew word translated here as “Praise ye the LORD” is Hallelujah. In fact, it is a call or a command to God’s people to praise the LORD. It is a call to worship the LORD.
It is our duty as God’s people to encourage one another to praise the LORD, for He is worthy of our praise. “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee” (Psalm 67:3, 5). The LORD always deserves praise, so we ought always to render it. Let us not be forgetful to praise the LORD; it is always good to be stirred up to praise the LORD.
God’s people must praise the LORD that there is always a remnant group of people who fear Him and obey His Word in this world of rebellion and wickedness. Everyone who praises God is a blessed individual.
The word “blessed” denotes spiritual happiness. True happiness belongs to those who fear the LORD. Reverential worship and joyful obedience to God are the hallmarks of those who fear the LORD. Lives that are fully centred on the worship of God will exhibit great joy. The fear of the LORD will keep the corruptions and shame of sin out of their lives, as well as keep them pure and happy in His presence.
Those who fear the LORD will have His wisdom to lead them away from all the perils of sin and ungodliness. Their reverential approach to the Word of God will fill them with its eternal wisdom and truth. They take great pleasure in the commandments of the LORD, unlike those who grudgingly approach the Word. Therefore, their lives will be filled with the goodness and blessings of His counsels.
The lives of those who fear the LORD and delight themselves in the Word of God will be filled with divine blessings. As Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
The tragedy of those who do not fear the LORD is that they walk according to the follies of their sinful hearts. Because they despise God’s Word, they will be without the light of His wisdom. Conversely, those who fear the LORD and delight in His Word will be filled with joy and praise unto Him.