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In
the writings of the Apostles, Yahweh is praised for confirming
the covenant through the Lord Jesus (Luke 1:68-70), for providing
him as a means of victory (1 Cor. 15:57), of triumph (2 Cor.
2:14), of blessing (Eph. 1:3), of fellowship (Col. 1:12),
of hope (1 Pet. 1:3).
Consider
the following doxologies, or expressions of praise:
"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things;
to Whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Rom. 11:36).
"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according
to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ .... to God
only wise, be glory, through Jesus Christ, for ever. Amen"
(Rom. 16:25,27).
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the ecclesia by Christ
Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen"
(Eph. 3:20-21).
"Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever.
Amen" (Phil. 4:20).
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling,
and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory
with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory
and majesty, dominion and power, now and for ever. Amen"
(Jude 24-25).
Yahweh is praised in Scripture for prayers heard (Ps. 28:6;
66:20; 116:1-2; 118:21; Dan. 2:19-23), for daily mercies (Ps.
13:6; 35:27-28; 68:19; 103:2; 116:12-13), for special deliverances
(Ps. 31:7-8; Jer. 20:13; Exod. 18:10), for public benefits
towards Israel (1 Kings 8:56; Ps. 98:3; Isa. 63:7; Ezra 7:27-28),
for protection (Ps. 31:21; 55:18; 18:47-49; 66:3; 98:1-2;
2 Sam. 22:40).
Expressions
of exultation are found in the following prayers:
"And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in Yahweh;
mine horn is exalted in Yahweh; my mouth is enlarged over
mine enemies; because I rejoice in Thy salvation" (1
Sam. 2:1).
"And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies
round about me; therefore, will I offer in His tabernacle,
sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto
the Lord" (Ps. 27:6).
Praise for Yahweh can be summed up in the following prayer:
"How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, 0 God! how
great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are
more in number than the sand; when 1 awake, I am still with
Thee" (Ps. 139:17-18).
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Paul's
Ascription Of Praise To God
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As
Paul considered the merciful provision of Yahweh as revealed
in His plan of salvation for His family or His nation, He
broke into unstinted praise of the Creator. "O the depth
of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding
out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath
been His counsellor? or who hath first given to Him, and it
shall be recompensed unto Him again? For of Him, and through
Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever.
Amen" (Rom. 11:33-36). The depths of wisdom and knowledge
revealed in the atonement, whether considered nationally in
regard to Israel, or personally, are beyond human ingenuity
to search out. No one has aided Yahweh to that end. He is
in debt to none. Out of Him, by means of Him, and for His
glory have all these things been provided, as in Christ He
has revealed Himself to that end. As we consider His mercy
and His goodness, His providential care and His greatness,
and as we consider our privileged position in being drawn
thereunto, we, too, can enter into the spirit of Paul's ascription
of praise, and conclude it with a resounding Amen!
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