Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.A more literal translation of verse 108 would be
Psalm 119:108
Please accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, Lord, and teach me your laws.
The Old Covenant included many mandatory offerings and sacrifices and feasts. But the freewill offering was given because a person wanted to give (Exodus 35:29). It was an offering given literally because of their free will, often as an expression of gratitude, celebration, and re-dedication.
The best praise isn't something that happens because it's the appropriate time (Sunday morning), the right place (the assembly of the saints), or because a praise leader tells us all what to sing next. The greatest praise comes from the heart, from the free will. It's prompted by an experience of God's works or God's
If your praise life seems a little flat or uninspiring, don't blame the worship team. Ask yourself some questions:
1) Are you meditating on the Word daily? Are you reading and studying with a focus on knowing God? The more you get to know Him through the scriptures, the more praise will come naturally and willingly from your lips.
2) Are you praising God daily? Or do you wait until the worship leader begins the first song on Sunday morning? If you're getting to know God in His Word daily, expressions of praise for Him and acknowledgement of His presence in your daily life will come from your mouth as if of their own free will. You'll be giving God credit as you talk to family, friends, co-workers, and strangers in the check out line.
It all starts with time in the Word, training your will to freely praise the Lord.
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