Focus on Who God has revealed Himself to be; what He does; what we're like; what we can expect of Him; what He expects of us in response.

1 I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Relationship; Hears & answers prayer; Dependable; Pray
.2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon/proclaim Him as long as I live. Cares; Trustworthy; Proclaim

Ps 105:1  O give thanks (things done) to the LORD; call upon/proclaim His name: make known His deeds among the people.

Isa 12:4 Praise (person) Yahweh, call upon/proclaim His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted

1Jn 3:22 whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

3 The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. His servants can suffer
4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!" Responsive; Accessible; Depend on Him

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. Ex 34:6 proclaimed, Yahweh, LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth/faithfulness, 7 Keeping hesed for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin... Neh 9:31 

6 The LORD preserves/protects/guards the simple/sincere trusting babes; I was brought low, and He saved/delivers me.  Gives victory

7 Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has recompensed/dealt bountifully with you. He gives rest; We calm ourselves

8 For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. Delivers spiritually, emotionally, physically
9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.  Gratitude results in pleasing-in-His-sight daily walk of obedience

10 I had believed, even when I declared, "I am greatly afflicted." 11 I said in my alarm, "All men are liars." God is always trustworthy unlike people
Num 23:19 not a man...that He should lie...repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Worship=Response to Revelation
12 What shall I render/return back to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? He blesses;  We return back blessings/thanks/praise
.13 I will take/lift up the cup of salvation, and call upon/proclaim the name of the LORD. We proclaim His saving acts

  Ex 6:6-7 Cup of Sanctification/Blessing/Thanksgiving I will bring you out;  God wants a holy/separate/distinct people
   Cup of Deliverance/Praise I will deliver you; God delivers from enemies and oppression
   Cup of Salvation/Redemption/Blessing I will redeem you;  Ex 14:13 God saves/redeems from sin by paying the price
   Cup of Praise/Acceptance I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God. God wants an intimate relationship with us

14 I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people.  Our vows of praise should be among His people

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. God watches over His holy ones (some of whom He sacrifives for His glory)

16 O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds.  Freed to serve Gal 5:13

.17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon/proclaim the name of the LORD.  Thanksgiving and Praise

Heb 13:15  by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Rm12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable/pleasing to God, which is your service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may demonstrate what is that good and acceptable/pleasing and perfect will of God.

18 I will pay my vows to Yahweh now in the presence of all His people,  Our praise edifies others and encourages them to trust God
19 In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Center of OT praise; Center of NT praise???

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
1. How does praise differ from thanksgiving, or from worship? What kind of response honors His “name”?
2. Why does God allow His choice saints to experience difficulty and oppression? What should be our response?
3. Why does God answer our prayers? What should be our response to answered prayer? To unanswered prayer?
4. How can we demonstrate trust in God in the midst of difficult times? Why should we? How does He want us to serve Him?
5. How can you increase your dependence upon God this week? How does He want you to proclaim His name/answers?