The lilac-colored sticky note had floated around my office for who knows how long. I stuck it to the table, next to my Bible. I moved it to the desk. I moved it out of the way and stuck it to the edge of the shelf, and shuffled it around too many times to count. Scribbled on the note was:
“Praise” our God…
Rev 19:5
One day I would look up the definition of praise in this scripture verse.
While writing my book Dance Like David Danced, I had looked up many of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words that were translated to the English word, praise. The various definitions ranged in meaning from “to make a show, boast, to be clamorously foolish”, to “revere or worship with extended hands”, and also “to kneel; to bless God”.
So, what kind of praise is described in Revelation 19:5? It was time for this purple sticky note – that had lost its stick some time ago – to be addressed or put into the over-stuffed envelope with other scrawled-out notes. I opted to take the time to deal with it once and for all.
I looked up the verse and then lugged out my heavy concordance for further research.
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great. Revelation 19:5.
…as you can tell, I’m reading through the King James Version this year.
The Greek word translated to praise in this verse is 134, aineó (ahee-neh’-o). It means to speak in praise of God with a loud voice. It comes from the root word 136, ainos (AH-ee-nos) which means detailed praise, like that of a story or hymn. And then I went down the rabbit trail.
A synonym for aineó was listed, so I looked that up: 1868, epainos (ep’-ahee-nos); approbation, commendation, often by a whole company or the church. So, I sensed that I was getting a clearer picture of praise to God in the throne room by multitudes for His unfathomable goodness and glory.
But I couldn’t stop there, and if you are a bit of a Bible geek as I am, you understand.
The next entry in the concordance caught my eye: 1869, epairó (eh-pah-EE-ro). It means to raise up or lift up; a sail, hands, heads, eyes, the voice, or a foresail. Well, that’s exactly what I do when I praise God with the use of flags and dance. I raise up my sail – my flag(s), my hands, head, eyes and voice to praise the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Keep flagging and dancing for the Lord, my friends! It’s biblical.
I read a few more verses.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Revelation 19:6.
Let us be glad (CHEERFUL) and rejoice (JUMP FOR JOY, EXULT, BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD) and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. Revelation 19:7 (parentheses added).
What an incredible mighty roar our praise to God will be on that day in anticipation of that wedding — the biggest, most planned for, out-of-this-world, over-the-top wedding ever! Nothing on this earth compares to what is being prepared for those that love Him. And I will praise our God with everything within me. I hope you’ll join me!
People, get ready! Jesus is coming!