One of my brothers worked with a man who understood the uplifting power of praising the Lord. He would be walking down an aisle in the hardware store or the grocery store or anywhere and suddenly would start praising God with “Hallelulah” and “Praise God.”
When Jesus was in Nazareth and went into the temple, He was handed the scroll of Isaiah to read. He read what we now call Isaiah 61:1-3:
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because LORD has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness; so that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.
Then Jesus told them this scripture was fulfilled in HIM. (Luke 4:21)
A mantle is a cloak, a shawl, an outer garment worn for warmth and protection. It was made of fine material or fur, durable and meant to last. But another meaning of the Hebrew word addehreth (ad-deh’-reth) is a cloak of glory and splendor and magnificence. It was usually a prophet’s garment, and often passed on to an apprentice or student as a sign that God had chosen a prophet’s successor.
Jesus came as God told Him and do what God told Him:
To preach the Gospel to the poor;
To bind up (heal) the broken-hearted;
To proclaim liberty to the captives (of sin and evil);
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD;
and the day of vengeance of our God;
To appoint to those who mourn in Zion;
Beauty for ashes,
Oil of Joy for mourning,
The mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
There are two things certain to lift your spirit, and lighten a heavy heart: Praising God for all of His mercy, goodness, and blessings; and helping others to do the same. As we take up the mantle of praise and give God the Glory for all He is and has done and will do, we find encouragement and hope. Then, we are able to share our mantle, throw it over another’s shoulders, and walk along side them as God’s People with one mind to worship and bring Glory to God.
When we are burdened and weary, heavy-hearted and broken, seeking comfort and solace, reach out for the mantle Jesus Christ shares with us, and praise God the Father just as Jesus gives honor and glory and praise to God the Father. Just as Christ shares His yoke (Matthew 11:28-30), He shares His mantle.
The Mantle of Praise.
THE RIGHT RENDITION 