Human Response 577: Sing, Praise, and Give Thanks

Ezra 3:10-11 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

After the return of Israel from captivity under Ezra, the people began to rebuild the temple, first laying the foundation. The response of the people to this miraculous salvation was to praise the Lord with singing, with instruments, and with shouting. This would have been some event to see and hear, and entirely appropriate, for the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever.

We respond to the preaching and hearing of the Gospel with an exuberant celebration of praise and singing and shouting, for God is good all the time and has brought us back from captivity every day. Praising the Lord fills our daily lives, while we sing and make melody to the Lord in our heart. Everything we think, say, and do is accompanied by praise and thanks. Then we gather together on Sunday to raise a shout and make a joyful noise. For God is good.