Sing Praises with Understanding (Ps. 47:5-7)

God has gone up with a shout,
The LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.
(Psalm 47:5-7, NKJV)

I know I’ve written this before, but one of my favorite things to do is singing praises to the Lord. Traditional hymns. Contemporary songs.

But I have to say, I’m a bit convicted with the last part of verse seven: “Sing praises with understanding.” Sometimes, I fail to think about the words I’m singing. Or I sing just because I like to do so. Or because I have the words memorized, I think of other things besides the words and their meaning.

Just as I sometimes become distracted when I pray, I can become distracted when I sing praises.

That’s just not right. It’s a privilege to lift my voice in praise, knowing the Lord is pleased when I make that “joyful noise” (Ps. 66:1). And when I focus on the words—many of which come directly from scriptures—I’m not only praising the Lord, but I’m also gaining more understanding about His attributes.

His faithfulness is great. He is mighty to save. He is God of all creation. His grace is amazing. He is worthy.

Such richness. Such meaning.

So sing praises to God. But sing them with understanding.