Praising God is an important theme throughout the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about praise:
Psalms
The book of Psalms contains many verses exhorting praise to God. Some examples include:
- “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (Psalm 100:1-2)
- “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)
- “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6)
The Psalms repeatedly emphasize praising God with music, singing, and dancing. Lifting our voices and bodies in praise brings glory to God.
Revelation
The book of Revelation provides a glimpse of continuous praise offered to God in heaven. For example:
- “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)
- “And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:6-8)
- “And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen! Hallelujah!” (Revelation 19:4)
Heaven is a place of perpetual praise, and we get to practice praise on earth in anticipation of praising God forever in eternity.
1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 16 relays King David organizing musical worship and praise when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem. For example:
- “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)
- “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” (1 Chronicles 16:23-24)
This passage demonstrates the importance of musical praise and making God’s deeds and glory known among all people.
Hebrews
The book of Hebrews explains how Jesus is superior to all things and worthy of the highest praise:
- “And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” (Hebrews 1:6)
- “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
As the Son of God, Jesus is deserving of our praise and adoration.
Romans
Romans 15:7-11 encourages Christians to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed them for the glory of God:
- “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.” (Romans 15:7-9)
Praising God demonstrates Christ’s love and God’s mercy.
Ephesians
Ephesians 5 calls us to give thanks and praise always for all things:
- “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)
We should praise God constantly, in all circumstances.
1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 exhorts us:
- “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
It is God’s will for us to rejoice, pray, and give thanks at all times.
James
James 5:13 instructs:
- “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
Whether in good times or bad, we should turn to God in prayer and praise.
1 Peter
1 Peter 2:9 describes believers as:
- “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
As God’s chosen people, we have the privilege of proclaiming His praises.
Praise in Prayer
Many prayers in the Bible begin with praise to God. For example:
- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 1:3)
- “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19)
Praising God’s character is an excellent way to begin prayer.
Corporate Praise
The Bible encourages believers to praise together in community. For example:
- “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.” (Psalm 96:1-2)
- “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.” (Psalm 22:22)
- “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)
Praising together builds unity and reminds the church of Christ’s message.
Praise for God’s Creation
Many passages praise God for the beauty, complexity, and design of His creation. For example:
- “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
- “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24)
- “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” (Psalm 111:2)
All aspects of God’s creation are designed to point us to Him and prompt our praise.
Praise as a Weapon Against the Enemy
Praise repels the enemy’s attacks and break strongholds. For example:
- “Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2)
- “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” (Acts 16:25-26)
The sound of praise causes confusion in the enemy camp and releases God’s deliverance.
Jesus as the Focus of Our Praise
While all praise ultimately brings glory to God, Jesus Christ is the central figure of our praise as Lord and Savior. For example:
- “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
- “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)
Jesus is elevated above all other names and worthy of our constant exaltation.
Benefits of Praise
The Bible describes many benefits that come from praising God, including:
- God inhabits and blesses our praise (Psalm 22:3)
- Praise stills the enemy (Psalm 8:2)
- Praise defeats adversaries (2 Chronicles 20)
- Praise releases healing (Acts 3:1-8)
- Praise breaks yokes and bondage (Acts 16)
- Praise brings deliverance and victory (2 Chronicles 20, Acts 16)
- Praise invites God’s presence (Psalm 22:3)
- Praise brings renewal (Psalm 103:1-5)
- Praise lifts our perspective from earthly to heavenly (Psalm 73:25-26)
In short, praise transforms our outlook, breaks strongholds, ushers in deliverance, and draws us closer to God.
How Should We Praise?
The Bible suggests many ways to praise God, including:
- With singing (Psalm 33:1-3)
- With joyful shouting (Psalm 47:1)
- With musical instruments (Psalm 150:3-5)
- With dancing (Psalm 149:3)
- With clapping (Psalm 47:1)
- In community (Acts 2:46-47)
- Privately (Matthew 6:6)
- In difficult times (Acts 16:25)
- In prayer (Philippians 4:6)
- With our whole heart (Psalm 9:1)
- With our whole being (Psalm 103:1)
Any form of heartfelt praise glorifies God, whether simple or extravagant.
Who Should We Praise?
While all praise ultimately glorifies God, the Bible specifies praising:
- God the Father (Revelation 5:13)
- Jesus Christ the Son (Philippians 2:11)
- The Holy Spirit (John 4:24)
- All three persons of the Trinity together (Luke 1:68)
We praise the one true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Spirit.
When Should We Praise?
The Bible encourages praising God at all times, including:
- In the morning (Psalm 59:16)
- At night (Psalm 42:8)
- In times of victory (2 Chronicles 20)
- In times of suffering (Acts 16:25)
- When we feel distant from God (Psalm 73:25-26)
- When we feel God’s closeness (Psalm 63:3-4)
- In good times and in bad (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
- Continually (Psalm 34:1)
Our praise should be an unending refrain in every season of life.
Where Should We Praise?
The Bible shows people praising God in many locations, including:
- In the sanctuary (Psalm 150:1)
- In the congregation (Psalm 22:22)
- Outdoors (Psalm 148)
- At home (Acts 16:25)
- In prison (Acts 16:25)
- On mountains (Isaiah 42:11)
- By the sea (Psalm 65:5-8)
- In cities (Psalm 48:11-13)
- In nature (Psalm 96:11-12)
- In heaven (Revelation 19:1-4)
Anywhere we find ourselves, we can lift our voices in praise!
Conclusion
Praise encompasses a worshipful celebration of who God is and all He has done for us. Lifting our hearts and voices in adoration ushers in the manifest presence of God, transforms our attitudes, breaks strongholds, and draws us closer to the Lord. The Bible provides many insights and examples to help us develop a lifestyle of praise.