Introduction
Some years ago, I noticed a trend that began to develop in the body of Christ. Criticism was being directed toward worship and praise that exalted the mighty works of God rather than His wonderful attributes. The catalyst may have been a popular Christian song, “Because of Who You Are”:
You spoke the words and all the worlds came into order.
You waved your hands and planets filled the empty skies.
You placed the woman and the man inside the garden,
And though they fell they found compassion in your eyes.
Oh Lord I stand amazed at the wonder of your deeds,
And yet a greater wonder brings me to my knees.
Lord I praise you, because of who you are,
Not just for all the mighty things that you have done.
Lord I worship you, because of who you are.
You’re all the reason that I need to voice my praise,
Because of who you are.1
The verses of this song praise and extol some of the mighty works of God; however, the chorus gave some people the impression that we should not praise God for what He has done, but only for who He is. There have been those who changed lyrics to some inspirational songs to accommodate this thinking, those who abandoned some of the moving gospel songs that have been a part of our heritage, and some who simply decline to sing songs that honor God for His mighty acts. This bothered me, causing me to reflect on what I observed. While the songs we sing in praise to God must be grounded in truth, based on the principles found in Scripture, the Word of God and the work of God in my life have taught me to worship God for both who He is and for what He has done.
Who God Is and What He Does
The nature of God (His attributes and His character) is one with His deeds (His works and His actions). He performs as a result of who He is. It is impossible to separate who God is from what He does. He does because He is! His works and His character are one. How can I praise God for who He is without also praising Him for what He does? His works are synonymous with His character. Psalm 119:68 (ESV) says, “You are good and do good.”
He is not just a god whom we extol, respect, and revere as a deity, but He is the God who integrates Himself into our personal lives. God is at work in our lives—doing. He is working (doing) all things for our good. He is working (doing) when we are not aware. He is benevolent, kind, compassionate, and good. He gives and He works wonders for our benefit. He is for us! Note what Matthew 7:11 (NKJV) says: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Mary, the mother of Jesus, uttered these words: “He that is mighty hath done to me great things” (Luke 1:49 KJV).
Some of the names of God reveal not only His nature but also His work—His doing:
Jehovah-Jireh – my Provider
Jehovah-Rohi – my Shepherd
Jehovah-Rapha – my Healer
Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – my Sanctifier
Jehovah Shalom – my Peace Giver
Jehovah-Nissi – my Banner (my Victory)
Jehovah Tsidkenu – my Righteousness
Jehovah-Shammah – my Companion (He is with me.)
Jehovah Elohim – the Eternal Creator (sovereign, preeminent)
Jehovah El Roi – the God who Sees
Jehovah Sabaoth – the Lord of Hosts
Jehovah El Elyon – the Lord Most High
Do you see a pattern here? What He does is inextricably linked to who He is!
Being and Doing
Notice that the words we use to explain the attributes of God (who He is) are adjectives (descriptive words). Associatively, the words used to explain the works of God (what He does) are verbs (action words). Therefore, when I praise God, it is not just for who He is, but also for what He does. Without that powerful force in my life, I would fall. I would fail. But because of His might, His power, and His mighty works on behalf of mankind, I can have a full relationship with Him.
The following Scriptures point to our God who DOES:
“The works of the Lord are great . . .” (Psalm 111:2 KJV).
“How awesome are your deeds!” (Psalm 66:3 NIV).
“Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works . . . “ (Psalm 40:5 NKJV).
“. . . let me tell you what he has done for me” (Psalm 66:16 NIV).
“. . . we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4 NIV).
“May your deeds be shown to your servants . . .” (Psalm 90:16 NIV).
“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things . . .” (Psalm 98:1 NKJV).
“. . . the heavens are the work of your hands” (Psalm 102:25 ESV).
He forgives, he heals, he redeems, he crowns, he satisfies, he removes our transgressions (Psalm 103:3–5, 12).
Should we praise him because of what he DOES? Here is what Scripture says:
“. . . I sing for joy at what your hands have done” (Psalm 92:4 NIV).
“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:15, 21, 31 KJV).
“Let them . . . tell of his works with songs of joy” (Psalm 107:22 NIV).
“I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done” (Psalm 143:5 NIV).
“One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4 NKJV).
“Praise Him for His mighty acts” (Psalm 150:2 NKJV).
If He has done for you what He has done for me, you would praise Him! From miraculously giving us a son after years of praying, to providing funds for a mission trip to Russia; from providing a completely paid college education for our son, to providing a house for us to buy with no job and no down payment; from providing needed employment, to multiple healings of various physical maladies in our family, to healing relationships, to . . . . Well, I could go on. And some are telling me not to worship Him for all the things He has done? I will have to kindly disagree.
My husband refers to these miracles as “God stories.” Not long ago, he prayed with a vile grandfather who had viewed his own grandson in a casket. This man gave his heart to the Lord, and some months later, he also passed away. At his viewing, his family asked to see the man who had led their family member to the Lord. They said, “You really messed up our dad. He got us all to get saved, baptized, and be in church.” There were approximately 40 family members and friends the man had won to the Lord.
Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus!
. . . He makes a way where there ain’t no way . . .
Ain’t no sinner that he can’t save
Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus!2
Take a little trip through the Psalms with me and let’s praise God for what he DOES: He makes me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8). He hears me (Psalm 6:9; 28:6). He counsels me (Psalm 16:7). He equips me with strength (Psalm 18:3). He rescues me (Psalm 18:17). He supports me (Psalm 18:18). He rewards me (Psalm 18:20). He leads, restores, comforts, anoints, and prepares for me (Psalm 23). He hides me in His shelter (Psalm 27:5). He turns my mourning into dancing and clothes me with gladness (Psalm 30:11). He protects me and surrounds me with shouts of deliverance (Psalm 32:7). He delivers me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4). “He picked me up, turned me around, set my feet on solid ground, glory, hallelujah, jubilee!”3 (Psalm 40:2). He sustains me in sickness and restores me to full health (Psalm 41:3). He increases strength in my soul (Psalm 138:3).
Conclusion
The supreme action of Jesus was to die on the cross for our salvation. It is what He DID! Various translations of 2 Corinthians 9:15 describe our great God as indescribable, inexpressible, unspeakable, too wonderful for words, beyond telling. This was the Apostle John’s conclusion after he told the story of Jesus’s life as recorded in the Gospel of John: “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 NKJV).
I am reminded of the old African American hymn “He’s Done So Much for Me.” A line of the lyrics reads, “I cannot tell it all; he has done so much for me.”4 With confidence I can say that I am his child, and He takes care of me. I am going to praise Him because He is my God and because of what He does!
For every mountain you brought me over
For every trial you’ve seen me through
For every blessing
Hallelujah, for this I give you praise.”5
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1 Billy Lee Smiley and Robert B. Farrell, “Because of Who You Are,” New Spring, 1982.
2 Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, and Matthew West, “My Jesus,” Capitol CMG Publishing, ME Gusta Music, 2021.
3 Dianne Turner and Lee Turner, “Glory Hallelujah Jubilee,” Bud John Songs, Inc., 1966.
4 Theodore R. Frye and Lillian Bowles, “He’s Done So Much for Me,” Public Domain.
5 Kurt Carr, “For Every Mountain,” KCartunes Music and Lilly Mack Music, 1997.
