Audible Health

Psalm 54

In his book Reflections on the Psalms, C. S. Lewis confesses that early in his spiritual journey he was concerned about what appeared to be God’s constant need for praise. The Psalms, Lewis notes, are full of references to praising God. Sometimes it is God who seems to demand praise, more often it is the psalmist telling others to join in praising God, and sometimes there is even the implication that only if God will save the psalmist from death or distress will the psalmist continue praising God. Psalm 54 is one of the examples Lewis cites as presenting such a bargain. Verse 1 says, “Save me, O God,” and verse 6 then promises a freewill offering as a sacrifice. This apparent flaw in God’s character worried Lewis because it seemed to put God on a level with dictators, millionaires, and entertainers who are notorious for needing constant praise. And worse, Lewis suggests, it reduces people of faith to the level of sycophants who are willing to tell such people just how great they are.

Then Lewis realized that praising God offered a “beneficial opportunity.” In much the way that admiring a great painting allows one to be affected for the better, praise for God demonstrates a right relationship with the Creator. “Except where intolerably adverse circumstances interfere,” writes Lewis, “praise almost seems to be inner health made audible.” When we make praise a regular part of our relationship with God it reflects our inner health, it says that we understand praise to be an appropriate response to the one who has created us, it says that we are not bargaining with God, but rather meeting God’s presence in our lives with a profoundly natural response.

And so with the psalmist we say, “I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good” (Psalm 54:6b).

Prayer: Lord, may your name be praised in heaven and on earth, this day and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.