Psalm 42:11, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

The Old Testament Scriptures are full of examples of praise and worship that we as New Testament Christians can learn from.  Some today in the church world make a difference between “praise” and “worship.”  Some think “praise” is being joyful in the presence of God by singing happy songs.  And that “worship” means to sing slow songs that reflect upon the nature of God.

However, in the Bible giving God thanksgiving and praise is considered worship.  Because to worship God means to “serve and acknowledge God for who He truly is.”  Therefore, Biblically speaking praise and worship are not different genres, but rather praise is an expression of true worship, Daniel 3:28 & John 4:23-24.

In turn, we now will be examining various Hebrew words in the Old Testament that teach different forms of praise that are considered worship, honor and service to our God.

In the above Psalm the writer is stating that they are down cast in their soul but they still are going to put their “hope in God” and “yet praise Him.”  The Hebrew word for praise in the verse is “yadah,”which means “to worship God in surrender.”  The writer is basically saying, “I will worship God by surrendering all of my worries, fears, and doubts to Him.”  Plus, just like in our time when someone surrenders they raise up their hands the Bible mentions that people raised their hands to God in worship and surrender while they offered “yadah,” Psalm 28:2 & 1 Timothy 2:8.

The following is an example of performing “yadah,” when you are facing a tough time in your marriage, “God, I surrender to you all my worries, fears, and doubts about my marriage.  I decide today to put my full trust and hope in you!  For you are my Savior, the one who saves me from all my marriage troubles, and you are my God, the one that is ultimately in control of everything in my relationship with my spouse!”

Therefore, whenever you face times of stress, worry, or fear do not freak out or run away from God.  Rather, run to God in “yadah” and surrender everything you are facing to Him and proclaim Him as your Savior and God!

Reflection

What area of your life do you need to perform “yadah” in?

Action

  1. Think of an area in your life that is causing you stress and heart ache.
  2. Surrender the situation to God in yadah worship.
  3. Boldly proclaim that Jesus is both Savior and God in your situation.