Praise Producing Cheerful Hearts

What would prompt King David’s heart to be so cheerful that he would write so many psalms. The psalms were the meditations of his heart.  There are various psalms in which king David spoke about his meditations. Asaph also did the same thing. For example, in Psalm 77:12 he said, “I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”  Let’s read this in the context of the whole Psalm because in it, Asaph encourages himself:

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.

In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;

in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;

my souls refuses to be comforted.

When I remember God, I moan; 

when I remember, my spirit faints. 

Selah

You hold my eyelids open;

I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

I consider the days of old,

the years long ago.

I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;

let me meditate in my heart.”

Then my spirit made a diligent search:

Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?

Has his steadfast love forever

ceased?

Are his promises at an end for all

time?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he in anger shut up his compassion?

Selah

Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of

the Most High.”

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes I will remember your wonders of old.

I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy.

What God is great like our God?

You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.

You with your arm redeemed your 

people,

the children of Jacob and Joseph.

Selah

When the waters saw you, O God,

when the waters saw you, they

were afraid;

indeed, the deep trembled.

The clouds poured out water;

the skies gave forth thunder;

your arrows flashed on every

side.

The crash of your thunder was in 

the whirlwind;

your lightening lighted up the 

world;

the earth trembled and shook.

Your way was through the sea,

your path through the great waters;

your footprints were unseen.

You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Do you see how reflecting on the Lord led to Asaph’s ability to work his way through discouragement?  Can you see how he made himself glad? King David could confidently write in Psalm 40:16-17:

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

say continually, “Great is the 

Lord!”

As for me, I am poor and needy,

but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

do not delay, O my God!

Do you see how King David was made glad too? Is now a time for you to start meditating on the Lord from your heart to produce songs like Asaph and David did?