Praise as a Form of Worship

Study Notes

Praise is the work of angels in heaven, celebrating the presence of Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise is chanted with our voices, not musical instruments.
"Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)

Midnight Praises is a beautiful journey like our spiritual journey on earth.
It is read from a book called the Psalmody, a Greek word that means a psalm.
We sing the Midnight Praises all year round using the standard (annual) psalmody or the Kiahk psalmody.

It starts with "Arise, O you children of the light: let us praise the Lord of hosts".
The First Canticle: "Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord and spoke saying, “Let us sing to the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously.”" (Exodus 15:1-21)
The Second Canticle: "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and virtuous. His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 135)
The Third Canticle: The praise of the Three Saintly Children in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3).
Aripsalin: "O sing unto Him who was crucified, buried, and resurrected for us".
Ten Oweh Ensok: "We follow You with all our heart", feeling our Lord's presence.
The Commemoration of the Saints: "Intercede on our behalf, O Lady of us all the Theotokos, Mary the mother of our Savior, that He may forgive us our sins."
Doxologies: A Greek word that means glorification.
The Fourth Canticle: "Praise the Lord from the heavens Alleluia, Praise Him in the heights." (Psalms 148, 149, 150)
Psali: A Greek word that means "Spiritual Song".
Theotokia: Tells us about the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ and His birth from St. Mary.

The Conclusion consists of: The Conclusion of the Theotokia, Antiphonary (book of saints), Introduction of the Creed, the Orthodox Creed, then Lord have mercy.
We learn how to rejoice in the house of God by happily singing hymns and praises.