A Sacrifice of Praise
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Hebrews 13:15
By him Jesus opened up the way to God, as our Priest, by His death; so we can go directly to God as kings and priests ourselves, unlike the Old Testament (Heb 10:19-22; Re 1:5-6).
therefore Jesus died without the camp for us, so we owe Him sacrifices of praise (Heb 13:12-14).
let us offer New Testament saints also bring offerings (Ac 2:46-47; I Cor 14:15-17,26; Ep 5:19-20).
the sacrifice The Old Testament is full of great sacrifices by those loving the Lord (I Kings 8:5,63; I Samuel 7:7-12), but we also may offer a sacrifice, though different in kind (I Peter 2:5).
of praise We don’t bring sheep, as did Solomon; we bring praise (Psalm 69:30-32; 50:14-15,23).
to God The object of all worship is the Lord – neither ourselves nor any man (Isaiah 42:8).
continually This should not be an annual event, like our nation’s Thanksgiving Day (Psalm 34:1).
that is Paul is about to define for us the sacrifice of praise that he has under consideration.
the fruit We do not bring the fruit of the ground or of the flock or of the vineyard to the Lord.
of our lips It is something we do with our lips, mouth, and tongue (Hos 14:2; Ps 71:8,15; 35:28).
giving thanks It is one thing to be thankful, and another to actually give thanks; and giving thanks is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus in every thing (I Thess 5:18). Where are the nine?
to his name We use His name to refer to Him, and His name is great (Ps 113:1-2; 116:17; 83:18).
The Heart of David
II Sam 6:14 David danced before the Lord with all his might, ignoring his kingly clothes and office.
II Sam 7:1-3 David was not at peace in a house of cedar, knowing the Lord was worshipped in a tent.
Psalm 18 Repeated from II Samuel 22, David’s heart is very obvious in this glorious praise.
Psalm 34:1-4 Praise was something David wanted to do at all times, and with others, for their benefit.
Psalm 103:1 David praises ecstatically, with all that is within him, for all of God’s many blessings.