The Bible reads:
"Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God. I bring no charge against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High and call on my in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." -Psalm 50: 7-15
David Crowder's interpretation of these verses in his book "Praise Habit: Finding God In Sunsets & Sushi" reads:
"This is God, your God, speaking to you. I don't find fault with your acts of worship, the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer. But why should I want you blue-ribbon bull, or more and more goats from your herds? Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains. I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends. If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine. Do you think I feast on venison or drink droughts of goats' blood? Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises, And call for help when you're in trouble - I'll help you, and you'll honor me." (Crowder 78-79)
Our purpose here on earth is to bring honor and glory to God. A lot of times, we believe that by living a good life, telling others that we're a Christian and singing songs to Him, we are bringing Him that desired honor and glory. "We may argue, 'Isn't that praise? Songs = Praise, right?' " (Crowder 82) David Crowder describes them as more like burnt offerings. The songs that we sing, the hands that we raise and even the tears that we cry are just physical shows of how we want to feel towards God. When we become emotional at the sound of Christ's death on the cross put into flowery, methodical rhythms we're showing that we feel guilty for putting Christ through that. When we raise our hands as high above our heads as they will go, we're showing the world how overwhelming Christ's goodness is to us. But God doesn't need, nor does He want, those melodies of proclamation:
"I don't find fault with your singing songs. But do you think I'm in great need of music? Do you think it is too quiet where I am? Did I not make the air molecules to vibrate and dance in such a way to let melody float from here to there? Do you think I am in great need of hearing these songs that were my breathings in the first place?" (Crowder 81-82)
Why can this singing become a problem? Because "often they're nothing more than ritual, and at their worst they can be provoking to God." I know at times I've gone through bad days, or weeks, or even months where I lacked any form of christian support or influence or activity. Then, once in a group setting of worshipers, the music starts and suddenly I'm overwhelmed by the power, love and mercy of God, simply because of a few lines of a song. My hands are raised and my eyes are shut with a thin line of tears around the edge. Then, the next week, when I join these fellow worshipers, it's the same thing. I feel God wrap His arms around me and I am over come with Love. The provoking thing to God about this, is that this has been the first time that I've felt His presence all week since the last time I had my hands raised and eyes shut during singing.
So, while God is asking us to praise Him, it's not just singing that He's asking for. He's asking for "praise living. It is God leaning and shouting, 'I am the center!' and the sum of our lives nodding back in agreement." (Crowder 82)
"According to this psalm, even the simplicity of calling out to Him in times of trouble is considered the truer sacrifice [the truer praise]. How surprising is that? And how easy? Higher than our ritual is the simple acknowledgement that, in truth, He is what we need. We, like the Israelites, often find rescue in the burnt offering [the worship song] and not in the God who is the source of all. We find comfort in the song and not in the Comforter."
So next time your walking down the street humming Amazing Grace to yourself, look up at the sky, watch the squirrel running up the tree, or smile at the stranger walking towards you, and then thank God for the little things that He's placed in your life that are meant to evoke praise. Because "when you begin to find Him in all the stuff of life, everything starts singing. Every moment breaks into song. Every breath becomes sacrifice, and the songs become sweetness. This is living praise." (Crowder 82)
Crowder, David. Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunset and Sushi. NavPress. Colorado Springs, CO. 2004.
