I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips…Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together (Psalm 34: 1,3).

Years ago, I would go to church not to worship God, but because someone else wanted me to be there. I would go to a very nice building and congregate with some very nice people. But I was always in the back row. I would stand up when asked to stand up and sit down when it was time to sit down. I rarely sang along, nor was I engaged in worship.  I was present, but my whole self wasn’t really there.  

Psalm 34 begins by David inviting us to join him in worshipping God.  David says, “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” But David’s central theme is not about the actions we take to worship God, but about worshipping God because of who God is. David paints a picture of God as someone who loves us, who sees us, and is attentive to us.  God takes care of our every need.  He provides for us, and he protects us.  God even sent his son Jesus to live with us as wholly human to be a perfect example of who God wants us to be.

When I started attending Chatham Community Church, I made a critical shift in my life.  I made the choice to engage in the worship service.  I chose to sit in the front.  I chose to stand and sing.  I chose to not just be around, but to connect with other members of the congregation.  And while I made these “church choices”, they were only the first shifts into unlocking a deeper worship of God.  These shifts allowed me to see a community worshipping God not just through songs and words, but by emulating the behaviors that Jesus showed us.  It helped me shift into a type of worship that wasn’t just on Sunday, but always on.

To extol God “at all times” means that worship is not just a Sunday morning action.  It is understanding more deeply who God is and living our daily lives through the example of Jesus. When we show love, are attentive to the needs of others, or recognize everyone as a fellow child of God, we are worshipping God.  It is a type of worship that is persistent.  On good days, bad days, Sundays, and every day.  It’s how our worship of God can be always on.

Take time this week to pray and reflect on what David is saying about who God is.  What shifts can you make to help you better emulate the behaviors of Jesus, and lead you to be “always on” in your worship of God?

To read or re-read the summary/overview of this week’s passage, you can click here.