Mark 14:26 (AMP) After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

How big is your praise? This is a lesson that Jesus wanted us to learn. He knew exactly what was going on, yet He sang a song of praise and honor to God. What did they sing that night? It was a group of Psalms knows as “the Hallel,” Psalms 113-118. Jesus actually quoted from Psalm 118 earlier in the week, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone (verse 22).”

I want to pay extra close attention to Psalm 118. This is the passage that I have encouraged others to read over and over again this week as we prepare our hearts for service this Sunday. I also encouraged them to read it in different translations to get the fullness of what it is saying. In the Amplified Bible it says that “His lovingkindness endures forever.” In the Modern English Version, “His mercy endures forever (similar to the KJV).” In the Message, “His love never quits.” In the English Standard Version, “His steadfast love endures forever.” This is a psalm of praise. How big was Jesus’ praise that night?

This is the night that He washed the disciples feet, that He ate the Passover meal with them, then He tells them about the sacraments of the bread and the wine. He sings a song, and then heads to the Mt. of Olives, where He then tells them that they are going to scatter once He is handed over for death. Yet, He takes time to praise. In the midst of the craziness of life, will you take time to praise?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (AMP) Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Use the words that I showed you from Psalms 118, “His love never quits” and “His love endures forever.” They are really easy to say and eventually will start to roll off our tongues when we commit to meditate on them throughout the day. Do you know how grounded Jesus was in the Father’s love? This is what He wants for you too.

Psalm 118:28-29 (AMP) You are my God, and I give thanks to You; [You are] my God, I extol You.
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness endures forever.

Our God is still good. Even in the moments right now, His lovingkindness endures. I have to remember that when Moses asked to see God’s glory, God responded in showing Moses His mercy and lovingkindness (Exodus 33:19). As I write these words my heart leaps with joy and my eyes fill with tears. The wonders of this everlasting love. How deep, wide and high is that love. This is the importance of praise, otherwise we try to look at God at our level and the reverence for Him slowly fades.

Hebrews 13:15 (AMP) Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. 

Psalms 63:3 (AMP) Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

Praise should never depart from our lips. In this there is a need for our hearts to be in line with our lips. Do not just parrot these words and they have no meaning to you. He is not asking for lip service, as the nation of Israel did (Isaiah 29:13). Our reverence for Him does not need to become a tradition, completely empty of meaning. Glorify His name in your praise. A heart filled with reverence will have a mouth filled with praise.

Instead of writing out a prayer of my own words today, I want to lead you in taking a deeper look at Psalm 118. Sing it, pray it, meditate on it. Align your heart this week.

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness endures forever.
Oh let Israel say,
“His lovingkindness endures forever.”
Oh let the house of Aaron say,
“His lovingkindness endures forever.”
Oh let those who [reverently] fear the Lord, say,
“His lovingkindness endures forever.”
Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
The Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can [mere] man do to me?
The Lord is on my side, He is among those who help me;
Therefore I will look [in triumph] on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in princes.
All nations encompassed me;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
They encompassed me, yes, they surrounded me [on every side];
In the name of the Lord I will cut them off.
They swarmed around me like bees;
They flare up and are extinguished like a fire of thorns;
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
You [my enemy] pushed me violently so that I was falling,
But the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.
The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous:
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
I will not die, but live,
And declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.
The Lord has disciplined me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.
Open to me the [temple] gates of righteousness;
I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
The righteous will enter through it.
I will give thanks to You, for You have heard and answered me;
And You have become my salvation [my Rescuer, my Savior].
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the [a]chief corner stone.
This is from the Lord and is His doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
O Lord, save now, we beseech You;
O Lord, we beseech You, send now prosperity and give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord [you who come into His sanctuary under His guardianship].
The Lord is God, and He has given us light [illuminating us with His grace and freedom and joy].
Bind the festival sacrifices with [b]cords to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
[You are] my God, I extol You.
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness endures forever. AMP