Psalm 81, A Covenant of Praise
All covenants in the Word were signed in blood and are unbreakable. In the Old Testament by the sacrificial blood of a lamb; in the New Testament by Jesus’ Blood -- nothing can break that because blood cannot be unmingled.
Since the covenant has been sealed by blood and cannot be broken, we can have confidence in God’s promises. Our response to His promises is praise.
Why is praise so important?
God requires our praise because He enjoys it and it is reciprocal. We reap the benefits. Our part in this promise is to ‘sing aloud to God, with the timbrel and blowing the trumpet’ (Psalm 81:1-4). When we praise, we gain strength. When we call, He will answer and deliver our shoulder from the burden (Psalm 81:6-7).
The covenant says, ‘I will get you through--by praising through it.’ God does not test our weakness; He proves our strength. We just need to believe and hold to His promises ‘for He who promised is faithful, and He will do it’ (Hebrews 10:23, 1 Thessalonians 5:24).
We are told to ‘open our mouth wide and He will fill it with the finest of wheat’ (Psalm 81:10). I have discovered, He will fill it with more praise and thanksgiving.
Throughout Scripture, we see how the covenant of praise is a weapon that brings victory to God’s people as soon as they began to praise – not after the fight.
2 Chronicles 20:15–21 tells us that when Jehoshaphat and his people faced a great multitude, God told them not to fear, for the battle was not theirs, but His. They were instructed to stand firm, position themselves, and watch the Lord’s glory. The next morning, they went out against the great multitude and positioned themselves according to the Lord’s instructions. As they began to sing, praise, and worship God, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies, causing them to turn against one another and destroy each other.
In Jericho, the walls came down when they began to blow the trumpet and shout aloud (Joshua 6:20).
We can rest in the knowledge that we are protected. The battle is already won. The Covenant is signed and sealed by the Blood of the Lamb.
We have been given weapons of mass destruction against the evil one. They are the Blood, the Name, and the Word. The missile that carries these weapons is PRAISE.