Praise Him!

So I was planning on using a children's hymn today, but in lieu of the sermon this morning, I'm listening to Fanny Crosby's "Praise Him! Praise Him!"  Born Frances Jane Van Alstyne, Fanny Crosby went blind not long after birth.  That didn't prevent her from writing a lot of hymns.  Accroding, Armin Haessler, she wrote 8,440 of them.  That's enough hymns to earn her the name "Queen of Gospel Song Writers" and "Mother of Modern Congregational Singing in America."  That second one isn't very pithy.  Here's a link to the hymn to listen to while reading the lyrics.

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail, Him!  highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long:

Chorus: Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness; 
Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful 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,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows;
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong: 

Chorus

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heav'nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Pow'r and glory unto the Lord belong:

Chorus

William Peterson notes in The Complete Book of Hymns, "It's hard to find a hymn richer in praise and joy.  Jesus is hailed as Rock, Redeemer, Prophet, Priest, and King.  But just when we begin to think He's so excellent that He's out of reach, we see him as a Shepherd, carrying his little ones in his arms."  Frankly, these are all reason to praise the Lord.  Rev. Mizelle preached this morning on Psalm 150 which very much says "Praise Him!"  I imagine it was a tough sermon to preach as it was very convicting and had a strong message concerning worship.  One point that has lingered with me throughout the day is that if one is to really praise God in church, they cannot be concerned with what others think.  Raising the hands, clapping, and even dancing are fine.  God's glory should stir a reaction out of us.  If not, then there is something wrong.  However, especially in church or in a worship service, the direction of thought needs toward the Gospel and should not concern what other folks are thinking of us.  Our focus, my focus, needs to be on the Rock, Redeemer, Prophet, Priest, King, and Shepherd.