Why Giving God Glory is the Best Way to Be Happy? (Psalm 113-115)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Do you enjoy giving God glory?

Psalm 115 contrasts the living God, who is in heaven and does whatever pleases him, with lifeless idols made of silver and gold that cannot see, hear, speak, or walk. The author of this psalm is unknown, and “commentators note the mixed literary forms in this psalm. It contains elements of both a lament and a hymn and appears to have been used liturgically in public prayer.”^[1]

J.A. Motyer says, “More likely, but still only guesswork, a recent victory has been won, so credit might be given to the king or the army. The enemy, strong in its idols, may have taunted a people whose God is invisible.”^[2] However, before getting to what the nations are doing, the psalmist says in verse 1: “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth.”

Everyone gives glory to someone. There are two chief types of glory in Scripture: godly and fleshly. One has an everlasting heavenly mindset, while the other is earthly and finite. Sadly, many often love men's glory more than God's glory.

This fleshly glory is entirely self-centered and sinful. It is based on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The more we have a heart that glorifies the flesh, the less we have a heart that glorifies God. To not give God the glory he deserves means you have erected another god in his place.

Everything humanity does apart from God is tainted by sin. Seeking our own glory is seeking everything that is self-centered and finitely focused. Romans 3:23 says we have all fallen short of the glory of God. Giving glory to our flesh will cause us to despair. It is a hopeless pursuit.

On the other hand, choosing to give glory to God is another story. God’s essence is holy and loving, and his glory is the radiance of his essence. John Piper states that God's glory is "The beauty of His manifold perfections.” God’s perfections manifest themselves in different ways. Sometimes, they are seen through a brilliant visible display. Other times, they are seen in his perfect moral character. Both of these ways point to God’s amazing sovereignty.

1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that whatever we do, we are to do it to the glory of God. Our ultimate goal should always be to give glory to him. This is the measuring rod by which we will all be judged. To glorify God means we find our enjoyment in him.

We always truly glorify what we most passionately enjoy. We acknowledge, appreciate, and demonstrate through our actions that we esteem his manifold perfections. If we seek our own glory, we will operate in the flesh. If we speak on God’s authority and seek his glory, we will operate in his Spirit (John 7:18).

Everyone glorifies someone. Either we glorify ourselves, or we glorify God. There is no middle ground.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | Lord, I praise you for your glory that surpasses all earthly things. You are the living God, sovereign over all, revealing your greatness and truth through your creation and word. Your faithful love endures forever, and your glory shines above all else.