5W1H. What’s that? Students of journalism are familiar with the “Five Ws and One H” method of fact gathering. This approach is also known as the Kipling Method, because of the poem Rudyard Kipling wrote that opens with these words:
I keep six honest serving-men;
They taught me all I knew;
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
At the close of the book of Psalms are five worship songs that answer the 5W1H questions. Known as Hallelujah psalms, each begins and ends with “Praise the Lord” or the Hebrew Hallelujah. Psalm 150 contains these answers to the 5W1H questions:
Where do we worship? God is to be worshiped wherever He may be found, “in his sanctuary,” both here and in heaven (Psalm 150:1).
What do we praise God for? “His mighty works” (Psalm 150:2). Everything that He did is worthy of our praise, for He did these things for us.
When do we praise Him? Every time He acts is an occasion for praise (Psalm 150:2).
Why do we worship Him? Because of “his unequaled greatness!” (Psalm 150:2). We praise God for what He does; for who He is.
Who is to praise God? Every creature, “everything that breathes” (Psalm 150:6) is to worship the Creator God.
How do we worship Him? With joyous singing, accompanied by orchestral wind, stringed, and percussion instruments. Even dancing makes the list! (Psalm 150:3-6).
Every line of Psalm 150 is a resounding call to praise God. He deserves the full and passionate expression of our affection and devotion. May all our worship today honor and bless our amazing, loving God!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 15:32–16:12
More:
Read Psalm 146:1-10 and apply 5W1H to this song as you worship God.
Next:
What can you praise God for today? Why is He alone worthy of our worship?
Gary Shultz on July 21, 2016 at 6:16 am
There is a lot to think about here K. T. I enjoy your use of Psalms 150 in your worship description and I think God would want us to worship Him freely. What I really like is the formula of questioning we all are familiar with. To ask questions, to be able to ask questions of a God this great. In all of history, in all the world the more important the person the less contact and ability the regulars are able to ask questions. That is one of the large things about the Christian faith that does not happen to other paths of belief. We can ask questions, directly, pointedly, and as often as we have them. We may not find the answers to all of our probing questions; however, we do begin to learn a lot by the study of His word and the power of His presence. The more we ask, the further we go, the clearer God becomes in our life and the more expectantly satisfied we become with this growing relationship. I truly enjoy that. Thanks K.T.
philipforchrist on July 21, 2016 at 10:11 am
Yes, there’s a lot to think about here, Gary! You put your views very succintly, and I concur. God is an unquestionable God, in that, He is perfect in all He does and we know He has our very best interests in all situations. Conversely, as His children, we may ask Him questions, and He gets back to us through His word. We may not get answers to all of our questions but His Spirit in us makes us know it is well. Either way, we know we are here to worship Him, serve Him at all times. Hallelujah!
gagirllive on July 21, 2016 at 7:57 am
Amen, K.T.! This psalm is a concert of praise. No way we can be silent witnesses to the glory of our great God. May our tongues—our very lives—be a song of praise to Him. He alone is worthy! “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him” (Rev.19: 6-7)
Tom Felten on July 21, 2016 at 8:56 am
KT, what an amazing God we love and serve—worthy of all our worship and praise throughout the moments of each day. As we worship Him, even in the difficulties and challenges of life, our hearts and minds can be filled with gratitude and hope. May we worship Him with all we have and are today!
sandy229 on July 21, 2016 at 10:05 am
Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!! That is so awesome! I have so much to praise God for. He has led where I need to go to finally get the help I need for this abdominal pain. I have been fighting this for 2 years. The sepsis made it worse, but Praise God for this or I would not have known. Praise God for his nature. Praise God for His goodness. Praise God for showing me what I need to learn. Praise God for leading me to the still waters. I love Sunday morning’s at church with the Praise and Worship band. We can Praise God as we worship Him. There is no better feeling than being in the presence of the Holy Spirit while everyone is praising God together and lifting their hands in worship, and maybe a dance here or there……..We were made for God’s purpose and not our own, so it only seems natural to praise God for everything He does for us!! Praise God for His wisdom and understanding. Let’s have a Praise Fest!!
hsnpoor on July 21, 2016 at 11:06 am
I’m in, Sandy, especially since I know something about what fuels your praise today! I am just too happy to rejoice with you! New Jersey Mass Choir sings one of my absolute favorite praise songs, simply called “Praise Him”:
1 Praise him, praise him, praise him, praise him!
Jesus, blessed Savior, he’s worthy to be praised.
From the rising of the sun
until the going down of the same,
he’s worthy, Jesus is worthy,
he’s worthy to be praised.
2 Glory! Glory! In all things give him glory.
Jesus, blessed Savior, he’s worthy to be praised.
For God is our rock,
hope of salvation;
a strong deliverer,
in him I will always trust.
3 Praise him, praise him, praise him, praise him!
Jesus, blessed Savior, he’s worthy to be praised.
From the rising of the sun
until the going down of the same,
he’s worthy, Jesus is worthy,
he’s worthy to be praised.
Praise him, praise him, praise him, praise him!
Jesus, blessed Savior, he’s worthy to be praised
Amen!
sandy229 on July 21, 2016 at 11:14 am
Amen!!
elegantstarr1 on July 21, 2016 at 12:08 pm
Wow Kim! I see we are on the same page this morning. I just posted the first verse and chorus of this very song on ODB. This song was on my heart this morning after I read Joanie’s testimony. Then I come over here and today’s devotional and reference verse is all about praising Him. Immediately after my reading, I said Lord, looks like I’ll be posting the same song here…only to get to the comments and find is already there. Look at GOD! Jesus, blessed Savior, He’s worthy to be praised!!!
crossman61 on July 21, 2016 at 5:23 pm
Amen !!
godlove on July 21, 2016 at 12:28 pm
God is great! I’m joining you in the Praise Fest, Sandy! Let’s praise the Lord and worship His Holy Name. Hallelujah!!
youssef1777 on July 21, 2016 at 10:16 am
THANK THE LORD FOR EVERYTHING . NO MATTER WHAT GOING IN MY LIFE TRUST IN THE LORD THAT HE WILL BE WITH ME ALL THE TIME .
philipforchrist on July 21, 2016 at 10:20 am
Yes, Let everything that has breath praise the Lord……..The trees, seas, mountains, animals and all creation praise the Lord and we humans whom God has given dominion over them all should praise God more. Why? Because He’s so good to us. We ran away from Him but He looked for us through His precious son- Jesus christ, and we are blessed forever. With my mouth by God’s grace, will I make known God’s faithfulness to all generations. Amen
crossman61 on July 21, 2016 at 10:55 am
How Great is Our God !! He has given us all another day to live for Him . May we use this gift to bring Him Honor and Glory in all we do today . And the rest of our days .( Romans 12:1-21) . Thank You K.T.
alexaoj on July 21, 2016 at 11:04 am
What a Psalm! Thank you K.t. my brother. “What a mighty God we serve, what a mighty God we serve, angels bow before Him, heaven and earth adore Him, What a mighty God we serve. Stay bless saints of God
gagirllive on July 21, 2016 at 12:15 pm
My friends, there is a wonderful story circulating on the Internet that fits in with today’s devo. Just Google the name “Willie Myrick” to see what God did when he opened his mouth in praise to our God!
sandy229 on July 21, 2016 at 12:30 pm
That video was awesome GAgirl ! Thanks for sharing! Wow it gave me tingles
gagirllive on July 21, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Ain’t that something?!!!
sandy229 on July 21, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Yes it is…..everyone should see it! I mean talk about Praising God in every situation ……… Out of the mouths of babes. He really loves Jesus…..still giving me chills!!
gagirllive on July 21, 2016 at 12:47 pm
Yep…God truly has His hand on that young man. He speaks way beyond his years. He has Holy Ghost wisdom rolling all on him!
godlove on July 21, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Wow, thanks for sharing, gagirl. Great story indeed, and very inspiring too. Just imagine the courage and presence of mind in that kid to sing praises to God in face of danger. When you would have expected him to be paralysed by fear, or to be screaming and crying, he simply sang praises to God. Wonderful example! I think that’s exactly what our heavenly Father expects from us: praise in every situation and at all times. May His Mighty Name be glorified!
crossman61 on July 21, 2016 at 6:46 pm
That is a great video/story gagirlive Thanks . I am going to share this with others .
gagirllive on July 21, 2016 at 8:36 pm
So glad it blessed you, crossman61. I just had to pass that along today. It was just so fitting!
godlove on July 21, 2016 at 12:22 pm
As our Lord Jesus Christ said, if we don’t praise Him even the stones will cry out, so I think it’s better we praise Him ourselves and with our entire being. Oh KT, wonderful, wonderful, what a timely devotional today!! My heart has been in full-praise mode since yesterday. I have just received some excellent news concerning a situation in my life for which I had been praying for God’s divine intervention since many months. It is a huge breakthrough which will literally change my life positively. I’m thankful to our amazing, loving God and I praise His Holy Name for what He has just done for me. Let me try my hand at 5W1H-ing:
Why me, why should He grant His special favours to me? -Because of His infinite love.
What did I do to even deserve all this love from God? -Nothing! It’s His grace.
Who else except our heavenly Father can do such mighty things? -No one, He alone is God.
How can I express my gratitude for this miracle he has performed for me? -Words alone can’t, but my heart is bursting with praise and thanksgiving.
Where can I go to scream from the top of my voice that God is Great and worthy of all praise and worship? -Really, where??
(Sorry, I stopped at 4W1H, I couldn’t find a “when” question)
sandy229 on July 21, 2016 at 12:32 pm
That is awesome godlove! Praise God!
godlove on July 21, 2016 at 2:37 pm
Amen!
gagirllive on July 21, 2016 at 12:33 pm
LOL…Couldn’t find a “When”?! Are you kidding? Right now is the “When”…I will bless the Lord at ALL times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth! Rejoicing with you, dear brother! Glory to His name!
godlove on July 21, 2016 at 2:36 pm
Haha no, gagirl, I didn’t mean that I couldn’t find “when to praise” just that I couldn’t find a “when question”. Like you rightly said, right now and at ALL times is good enough “when” to praise His Name. Thank you 🙂
gagirllive on July 21, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Ah, I see. Sorry about that. Hey, this is the second time in just a short while that something amazing has happened for you. The Father is spoiling you rotten, young man! 🙂
godlove on July 21, 2016 at 3:40 pm
Thanks, dear sister. I can’t quite believe it myself, He truly is spoiling me at the moment! 🙂 The reality of the magnitude what He is doing in my life hasn’t quite sipped in yet. It’s really a very humbling experience for me. It’s awesome to feel the outpour of His love and grace in my life right now. All praise and glory to His Name!
gagirllive on July 21, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Amen, godlove. As you know, our Father is always doing more than one thing. Nothing is just about us. He blesses us to be a blessing. Whatever it is, I know you are going to be a good steward of His gift of favor towards you. May you continue to give Him all the glory. Thank you for sharing this joy with us today!
godlove on July 21, 2016 at 4:34 pm
I know that I can’t do it on my own, so I’ll certainly pray ceaselessly for the Spirit to help me be good steward of these blessings and also to help me never miss an opportunity to be a blessing to others. Thanks for the important reminder and thank you joining me in my praise fest. Be blest.
sandy229 on July 21, 2016 at 12:36 pm
I feel like singing this song….
Praise Him Praise Him
Jesus our blessed Redeemer
For our sins He suffered and bled and died
He our rock our hope of eternal Salvation
Praise Him Praise Him Jesus the crucified
That’s all the words I remember from that old gospel song.