Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. (Psalm 111:1)
The word “praise” can also mean shine or boast. It paints an interesting picture.
We don’t usually think of boasting as a positive thing. We complain about someone’s boasting. But that’s because they’re overestimating the worth of something. We can never overestimate the worth of God. It’s safe to boast because we can never say things that are big enough!
And then there’s shine. What would it look like if you shined when you talked about the Lord? Think about it. You couldn’t be missed. Heads would turn. People would notice … and be attracted to you. It would become one of those times when you could “give an answer for the hope you have.”
Then the word translated “give thanks” in the ESV can also be translated shoot or throw. That gives me a very active meaning to giving thanks. It means I don’t keep it to myself. It means that I make sure he knows how thankful I am—for the things he does and who He is.
And all of this is in the company of others. So, not just on my own. Imagine … if we were all shining as we praise and all throwing our thanks to him! What a beautiful thing that would be!