“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)
If you go to church with any regularity, you may have heard your music minister say, “God inhabits the praises of his people”. I always thought that statement was nothing more than a way to get me to sing the praise choruses that so many of our churches use now.
The truth is we should heed that advice. It’s not just that it’s scriptural. It’s one of God’s principles that work when we apply it.
Many of you probably did not know Roger Bennett. Roger Bennett was a Southern Gospel piano player and songwriter who made a living serving the Lord in the ministry of music. Unfortunately, he succumbed to cancer last month after an 11-year battle.
The last several years were not particularly easy ones for Bennett. He had leukemia, which he thought was in remission, only to see it rage back in his life with vengeance. He fought it valiantly, but realized that the disease was winning so he decided to take a stand and underwent a bone marrow transplant at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas – the first of three.
Bennett wrote about his experiences on his website, Roger Bennett’s Midnight Meditations. “I am convinced,” he told his readers, “that our enemy stalks us exactly in the way the Bible describes him, a roaring lion. He hides in the bushes waiting for any sign of weakness and then he strikes.”
Bennett admitted that his faith became weak in the loneliness that is associated with bone marrow transplants. He mentioned one particular night when he “bottomed out”.
“He didn’t strike me physically,” Bennett wrote. “That had been accomplished for him by the chemo. He struck a more critical part of my being – my joy, my confidence, my hope. Every thought I turned toward heaven bounced back to me as if it were made of brass. Every time I tried to ‘look on the bright side’, I ended up imaging a very dark future. Then he threw his most effective dart at me – Doubt. ‘You call yourself a Christian,’ he said. ‘What a hypocrite! You wrote, Don’t Be Afraid, and yet you are more afraid now than you’ve ever been. You wrote about joy and yet now you are filled with despair. So much for your faith, Mr. Gospel Singer.”
Indeed, Bennett had hit rock bottom. “I believed everything Satan said,” he admitted. “I tried everything I knew to pull out of it – all to no avail. I thought if I could just doze off, this will pass by morning. But the clock seemed to move in slow motion. Sleep was nowhere near. I tried to lose myself in the Bible, but the words blurred to my eyes and I couldn’t make any sense of them.”
Finally, Bennett had an epiphany, a revelation of sorts. He thought about the story told in Acts when Paul and Silas were in jail. “They didn’t despair,” he said. “They sang…It became their weapon.”
So Bennett began singing. “One after another these old songs came to my memory and I sang them to my empty room. It wasn’t a great performance, but it may have been the most powerful blessing I’ve received in my life.”
Roger Bennett realized just how true God is to His Word. He really does inhabit the praises of his people.
When it begins to rain in your life, take Roger Bennett’s (and God’s) advice – Sing the Gospel and allow it take root in your heart. You may not sing your blues away, but I’ll bet you’ll feel the presence of a pretty powerful friend.
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Thank the Lord
Mike’s post and all of the comments have blessed my soul and it has also brought confirmation. I have been going through rough times- I had done all and said all that I could do. Then it came to me let Go and let God – I thought to myself I have to do something -God said simply Praise Me, so I did and I felt better. But as we know the enemy will come and try to cast doubt. Today I was listening to Martha Munizzi and on her song she said God inhabits your praise. I had always heard that, but I never did any research. All of a sudden I said I’m going to look up the word inhabit, which I did. Then I found this website; God is so good- for anybody that’s going through rough times praise God despite of your circumstance. Also we owe God praise because of who he is. May God Bless All!
I faithfully agree with Bennett. I have tasted and see that the Lord is God and true to His words. Whenever I face grave challenges in my life and I came to my wits end, I sing God's words back to Him. Singing opens up one's spirit to God's spirit and it's a great healing. Please sing a song at least for a day and you will experience a great change in your life. Amen and Amen!!!!!
From Angel Frederica
This is a very inspiring story. We always look at this side of life, but the Bible tells us of the other side where there won't be any sickness and disease. There will be life forever. "Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, neither has entered into the hearts of men what God has prepared for us."
This story is one of great encouragement. What really puzzled, yet excited me personally was where this scripture verse is found. Psalm 22:3 – many of us recognize Psalm 22:1 -it was the verse Jesus quoted while dying on the cross. Would it be possible that before His last breath Jesus quoted Psalm 22:3 as well! It’s no wonder that this scripture text is so powerful!!!!
i totally agree, let us not loose our praise, it is so important. as i was bty my brother’s bed in a roman hospital, (brain tumor surgery)things were bad, satan had attacked me in a vision of horrible dogs for 3 times.
i remembered the words… consider them all joy… i did not have hte strenght to evenb say jesus!!! but finally started praising the lord and bringing the sacrifice of praise. to make it short after 2 days my brother started imporving. and the lord talked to me in psalm 71 20-21
Thank you for the Psalm 71 reference, Enza. I hope your brother is doing better reach day.
yes isgreed with benneth when he puts his trust in God no matter d situation. when u worship God he releases a WAR SHIP to come nd fight 4 u
I can relate to this story it me to thinking and focusing on praising God more often and not always asking for something. He is worhty to be praised.
amem, amen and amen
The phrase “The Lord inhabits the praises of His people” is found no where in Scripture. Ps. 22:3 says specifically, “But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” God’s people are the people of Israel. Anyone who proclaims Jesus as their Messiah and obeys the commandments of God found in the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy) are grafted into Israel. Israel is whose praises God inhabits.
I’m doing “The Battlefield of the Mind” (Joyce Meyer) study at my church. In yesterday’s class we were discussing the need to speak The Word, apply The Word, in order to prevent Satan from beating us up with negtive thinking.
I shared about claiming the Lord inabits the praises of His people, but couldn’t recall the bible reference. I’m now glad that I needed to search for it, and find it, by “googling”! I will put this website into my “Favorites”, and share this devotional with my brothers & sisters in Christ! May God bless all who read this, in the Name of His Son, Jesus.
I loved this Man…..I loved his Piano playing and entire Family. Will be wonderful to see Him again along with all my loved ones also. My, How I miss Him.
I will always remember: “God inhabits The Praises of His People”! Thank you, Roger!
I just got out of the hospital after a heart proceedure. I have cardiamyopothy and congestive heart failure. I had a ICD inserted several years ago to shock my heart should it stop. The machine broke and I had it replaced. The replacement isn’t bad, but all the wires which are now attached to my heart also had to be replaced. The anesthesiast came to talk to me before surgery and somehow, ended up giving his testamony then laying hands on me and blessing my spirit. He, my son and I were in the room and I was struck with the ‘three strand cord that is not easily broken.’Before leaving the hospital after surgery, the surgeon and telemetry guy came in to tell me how surgery went, then both proceeded to share their testamonies as well. In the middle of my fear while I was unconscious, three Godly men worked to heal my body. Again, the three strand cord! I thought of Moses and pharoah when God said “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptions whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Ex. 14:13 – 14
Spoke this word heard many years ago to brothers in my Church. They’d never heard of it. Couldn’t remember where it was but Google found it. Also told them David said “Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee” they’d never heard of that either. It’s my next google.
In my late wifes first marriage, she was in diree straits due to a bad marriage, but being the lover of the music of the chyurch, she began to sing the old gospel hymns of her youth and such peace came over her that she was able with the Lord’s presence to overcome a bad situation.The praises of one of God’s children proved that God inhabited her praises.
Bless the Lord O My soul and let all that is within me bless His Holy name.
I am facing a huge battle in my life right now, this has lightened my load. I appreciate everyone’s comments. God is faithful.
Praising God brings God to our rescue.
I love to just praise God, and not even ask Him for anything. But what I notice is God blesses me in many ways beyound my imagination. And He meets all my needs, and very quickly.
I think that praising God is the secret to success, and having a greatful heart, and being happy to praise God really brings joy unspeakable.
God truly inhabits the praises of His people!
@ Sarah…the promises of God for ‘mankind’ were given to Abraham BEFORE the “Law” was given. We are grafted into that vine and as such the promises of God solely because of Jesus Christ. Because of Him there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile…
Would you not agree that as New Testament/New Covenant believers, God now inhabits us? The verse “God inhabits the praises of His people” applies to the Jews in the Old Testament?
Yes, praise and worship is powerful, and there is something that we receive in the supernatural when we take time to praise our Abba. But God now inhabits me, through the Holy Spirit. He is with me always. Thank You Father that we now have so much more because of Your Son, Jesus! Hallelujah!
Thank you for this:i know all too well the isolation due to a fiery darts,even putting me in a wheelchair with “Christians” saying “You must have done something wrong to be immobile” :I know God puts no one in jeopardy of loss:the enemy is as you remind us,very real and comes suddenly insidious & subtle. may we all remain in praise because as my body state is deterating so swiftly,it is praise and the prayers of others that help me to be semi-mobile,a good start,may The LORD Bless you for this mighty gift you share! in The Name of Y’Shua,shalom.
Thank you for your ministry of the Word of God and the encouragement you give to others. My husband was just miraculously healed. As a result of prostate cancer he became septic, kidneys failed, heart was traumatized, blood pressure was in the 80s. He was on a venilator and had a tube down his throat for the infection. The Word of God came in prayer from Psalms 24 “Lift up your heads all ye gates and be ye lifted up ye ever lasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Host is His Name”. I began to praise God as the peace of God came over me. The Lord healed my husband and astounded the doctors. He was seriously ill but God delivered him in 7 days. God does inhabit the praises of His people. We are rejoicing in the love, mercy and grace of God.
This is very helpful for my sermon this Sunday. His life is an open and modern Scripture. Thanks for sharing this powerful testimony.
Look at the connection between praise and the presence of God – Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 20:15-18, Paul and Silas Acts 16:25. Praising is a choice!
IF I’ll ALLOW IT, it’s not the circumstances deciding my praise. God is enthroned on praise, inhabits it; how? First, compare versions –
But thou art holy, thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3 KJV)
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. (Psalm 22:3 NIV)
What a huge difference in meaning between those two! Which is more correct? Check it:
(NASB)Psalm 22:3 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon [Or “inhabit the praises”] the praises of Israel.
So IF he is Lord/King of you, He is enthroned on your praises. And His presence will release power, as in the Jehoshaphat and Paul and Silas passages, although we do not know what form that power will take.
If He is NOT your Master, Decision-maker, Lord – then your praises are just nice words.
As Chrstian we do have the indwelling Holy Spirit but we can also have the Spirit resting upon us. Praise to God is – Worship – is also warfare. When we Praise God the enemy flees. Many times in Church when we are praising God you can feel His presence. It’s wonderful not to limit God or put Him in a box. He is so much more than out finite minds can comprehend. His power and His Love is limitless. What He has done before He will do again. He never changes.
Thanks for this article. I was so blessed by Bro. Roger’s life story. Now I have had a clearer and more meaningful understanding of what my brethren really meant by the “God inhabits the praises of his people.” When we praise God in singing, His holy presence fill our sanctuary and we are truly blessed. There are times that we find it hard to sing Him with joyful songs especially when we are overwhelmed with fear, pain and bitterness but despite our circumstances, we must not cease to praise Him. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:18 To GOD be all the glory and praises! May His grace and peace be with you in abundance!
This is aptly true. god surely does inhabit the praises of His people. I shared the scripture with a friend and she put it to practice and in less than two weeks she had a testimony. praise is the fastest way to get God’s attention and His presence does come with all that we can ever desire and even more!!!
The Aborigines believe you can sing what you want into being. Praising and worshiping the Lord in song I have experienced lifts me into the presence of God himself.
God really inhabits the praises of his people.
The enemy loves to see us have pity parties – as long as he can keep us down he’s happy. Some trials can hit us really hard – but if we would praise God immediately God will Show UP and Show off. Thank you for Bro Bennett’s testimony it stirred my spirit!! Our Deliverance is in the Praise!
Devotions.com. I’ve always believed in singing. A black South African will confirm that even unbelievers know that ‘ukuhlabelela kuyamthokozisa odabukileyo ‘ which means singing brings joy to those who are sad.
In all my career, the job interviews that I was successful at, are the ones where I would be worshipping the Lord while waiting outside the interview door for my turn. I’ve also experienced Gods presence when I worship Him even in times of weakness when my strength fails, faith arises and The Lord will come and in His presence I become transformed to a different person full of faith and courage because of his presence that God honors us with when I worship Him.
God really dwells and inhabits the praises of His people.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5 ESV)
Scripture speaks for Itself! It’s all GRACE ~ those of us who have the privilege of being saved by His Grace know His Presence through the free working of the Holy Spirit in our lives ~ unless we quench Him (1 Thes. 5:19) or grieve Him (Eph. 4:30) ~ leaving Him unable to fully work in our lives because of the sin which so easily besets us. Our Faithful Father always has a way for us to get back into the warm fellowship that is most beneficial to Him and to us ~ confess your sins to Him (1 John 1:9) so that your joy may be full, bringing you into that place of praise that most honors and glorifies and pleases Him ~ that beautiful place He “inhabits”!
I found this site and story because of a song that was sung yesterday in church and was so spiritually elevating. God does indeed inhabit our praise, and He is there in our wailing, too. What massive comfort. Here is the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI-Z0lq-LIE
Man!!! That is an awesome testimony!! When in doubt, just let your praise out!!! It doesn’t have to be the best sounding or the loudest praise you’ve got, but what matters most is that your praise is heart-felt and pure!! I wasn’t exactly down when I read this article, but I feel a whole lot better now!! #FromHappierToHappiest
when you praise God with a clean heart,things began to happen.the enemy must back up and flee. he cannot stand it when i praise God from my heart,like i am about to loose my mind.
Praise be to God for sharing this and the wonderful understanding of those that comment.
May God continue to give us all wisdom, power, peace ,joy and love!
I am just coming out of pneumonia, and although the meds and weariness cannot be compared to chemotherapy, it was enough for one day to run into another in waiting mode. I finally realized I needed to take meds for my spirit as well as my body, that I needed to be sure to read the Word and pray, be more careful what I read and watched. The next day was a turning point. God does inhabit the praises of His people. And He watches over His Word to perform it. He is worthy of praise, and the thanksgiving which is His will for us is for our own good. Love Him!
It is so good to know that in trying times we can find comfort in knowing we can praise GOD knowing he will inhabit our praises and take us through whatever we are facing. We know out faith will be tried through tests,trials. Tribulations. We know that GOD still wants us to praise Him even in the midst of out storm. Thank you Brother Bennett sharing with as we pass through this way. See you in Heaven!
I just discovered this website just a few minutes ago when I asked my computer for the Scripture Psalm 22:3. This page answered my question and I thank God and I thank you.
I thank and praise God that I don’t have any major illness. Today though many negative thoughts and worries disturbed me. This gospel verse came to my head “God inhabits the…… of his people”. I could not fill in the blank so I went to the computer and put in the above line to find the word and I came on this wonderful website. The missing word was “inhabits” May Roger Bennett Rest in the Peace & Glory of the Lord. I read this story and I immediately realized that all I need to do was go and praise the Lord. I ran to my cd player and put on Praise Music and I was lifted up and ready to face everything. Nothing is impossible to God. Also I decided to leave this message in thanks but also to say that these message that others leave are a so sincere and genuine. Your message may be the turning point in someone’s life. Praise God always!
This is Amazing! These comments should be going on forever because “There is no doubt there will be testimonies when God inhabits in our praises”!
My heart is so overwhelmed by the printed words shared here. This has been my silent testimony for the past 20+ years. I have been battling doubt, fear and wavering in my faith just like Bennett. I could preach, counsel and pray for others, but afterwards I could not look at myself in the mirror and not break down wondering what was wrong with me. I knew the scriptures and I thought I knew what to do, but still wake up the next day and it seemed like the situation worsened. When I paid my tithe my bank account would be overdrawn by weeks end or I worried when the utility co was coming to shut the power off or the water/gas off. All of my prayers seemed to be bouncing off the ceiling and my marriage struggled as a result. Today I take courage bc I realized there is nothing I can do to make God love me more than He already does, and I have to praise God and keep my focus on Him and His word even through these “dry seasons” in my life. My wife and kids depend on me and my coworkers and neighbors are watching me. Keep me lifted, I plan on being with Jesus when time is no more.
I am blessed with all I have read this morning about God inhabiting the praises of His Children. They compliment what the HolySpirit ministered to me about Worship, Praises and thanksgiving.
Worship is the garment of God
Praise is His habitation and
Thanksgiving is His food
Thanks be to God from whom all blessing flow, to night I was blessed to teach our bible study class, and My subject was The power of praise and worship, I stumbled across this article and used some of the comments as well as testimony in my teaching, I thank God that he inhabits my praise and has spoke into my spirit to praise him in Spirit and in Truth, now I can share with other that we have power and more ways than one, there is power in our praise to our God. Thank you for this has been a blessing to me.
I agree God is an awesome God! and agree if we just praise God just for who he is he will make everything alright..had a terrible depressing life never wanted to live in this world of dispair..so for over 50yrs lived in sadness until the summer of 2013 God truely delivered me, although I was going to church running jumping,shouting etc. I truely got delivered facing the most devastating trial of my life and believed me i had faced many,even after a five yrs marriage husband hook on drugs for over 20yrs..my deliverance came when an assuming finance set me up for domistic abuse when he was the abuser for 2 1/2 yr and lied to police..I was facing up to 5yrs,$60k bail,arrested for the first time in my life charged with terroristic threats with a 12″ butcher knife & bleech which was all a lie..But!!! God!!!…i really didn’t know how much he love me until that trial..praise God! I heard a message that said you are not bless until you are broken..and believe me ever since then my life have been blessed,blessed even writing my book on my life..Praise God!!! for who he is….Gloooorrrry!!!
Heartfelt praise indeed is a direct path to the Father Who is so glorified when we lift our voices in praise and worship! Spiritual warfare is so very powerful, for satan who is darkness, cannot stand to be in the presence of the LIGHT, EL SHADDAI -THE ALL SUFFICIENT/ALL POWERFUL ONE! The only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jabob! Give our Lord God Almighty the sacrifice of praise..amen?
I know God inhabits the praises of His people, I have experienced it when I attended a School of Psalmody, to learn about praise and worship. God came in an amazing way as we were in class practicing what we were learning, we all fell on our knees and felt His wonderful love for us as a Father. I know some say this verse only applies to Israel, but we are grafted in and because of Jesus we are all God’s people. Praise His Holy Name. Amen and Amen and still today if we continue to praise Him we will be blessed.
I thank the Lord for this site. Roger Bennett’s testimony is a truly wonderful confirmation to The Word’s of the Scriptures. My wife is a worship leader at heart and I have been privileged to speak at our Church the next two upcoming Sundays and intend to bring Roger’s story for encouragement.
Gratitude is as Spiritual as Fath, Hope, Joy, and Peace it is the foundation of Knowing God!
The love that will envelope you when you praises him until you feel it will be like no love you have ever experienced before. You will not be able to describe but you will drown in it. There is no other feeling on this earth like God’s pure ‘agape’ love.