The book of Psalms in the Bible contains many psalms that are meant to be sung as songs of praise to God. These psalms encourage the worshipper to praise and exalt God for who He is and what He has done. Here is an overview of some of the key themes and examples of psalms of praise in the Bible:
Psalms That Praise God as Creator
A number of psalms specifically praise God for His work as the Creator. These psalms marvel at the beauty, order, and grandeur of creation as evidence of God’s wisdom and power. For example:
- Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
- Psalm 33:6-9 – “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host…For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”
- Psalm 104 – This lengthy psalm celebrates God’s work in establishing the earth, the waters, the mountains, the animals, and more.
- Psalm 136:1-9 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods…to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Praising God as the mighty and wise Creator helps us recognize His power and authority over all He has made.
Psalms That Praise God as Savior and Redeemer
Many psalms specifically praise God for His work of salvation and redemption for His people. These psalms recount God’s faithful covenant love in redeeming Israel from Egypt and delivering them safely to the Promised Land. For example:
- Psalm 105 – Recalls God’s covenant with Abraham and fulfillment in delivering Israel from Egypt.
- Psalm 106 – “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (verses 1-3)
- Psalm 111 – “He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.” (verse 6)
- Psalm 136 – Extends high praise to God for His eternal love and mighty acts, including delivering Israel from Egypt.
These psalms encourage praise for God’s redemptive love and saving power throughout history.
Psalms That Praise God as King
The psalms also contain kingship psalms that extol God for His eternal reign as King over all. For example:
- Psalm 47 – “God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises!” (verses 5-6)
- Psalm 93 – “The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.” (verse 1)
- Psalm 95:1-3 – “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
- Psalm 96 – Repeatedly declares, “The Lord reigns!” (verse 10)
- Psalm 97 – “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” (verse 1)
- Psalm 99 – “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!” (verse 1)
These psalms uplift praise to God for His eternal reign, sovereignty, and majesty.
Psalms That Praise God for His Goodness and Love
Some of the most jubilant praise psalms celebrate the intrinsic goodness and love of God. For example:
- Psalm 100 – “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (verses 1-2)
- Psalm 103 – Extols the Lord for forgiving sins, healing diseases, redeeming from destruction, and crowning with love and mercy.
- Psalm 106:1 – “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
- Psalm 107 – Recounts how God demonstrates His goodness and love in saving people from various troubles.
- Psalm 136 – The refrain “for his steadfast love endures forever” is repeated 26 times.
The goodness of God is a recurring reason for praise in the psalms.
Psalms That Praise God for His Help and Strength
Many psalms were likely written out of a personal experience of God’s help in a time of need. These psalms praise God for coming through to strengthen and deliver His people. For example:
- Psalm 18 – Praises God for rescuing David from Saul and other enemies.
- Psalm 28 – “Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.” (verse 6)
- Psalm 30 – “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (verses 11-12)
- Psalm 34 – “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (verse 4)
God is praised for coming through with strength when His people are in need.
Psalms That Praise God Through Song
Since the book of Psalms contains songs, it naturally follows that praise of God through music and singing is a recurring theme. For example:
- Psalm 33:1-3 – “Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”
- Psalm 96:1 – “Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!”
- Psalm 98:4-6 – “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!”
- Psalm 149:1 – “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!”
Singing praise is appropriate and uplifting in worshipping God.
Psalms That Call On All Creation to Praise God
Some psalms envision all created beings on heaven and earth praising God together. For example:
- Psalm 69:34 – “Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.”
- Psalm 96:11-13 – “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord.”
- Psalm 148 – Speaks of sun, moon, stars, heavens, waters, sea creatures, stormy winds, mountains, trees, animals, kings, peoples, and angels all praising the Lord.
- Psalm 150 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (verse 6)
All of creation is called on to join together in chorus to praise God.
Psalms That Model How to Praise God
In addition to calling God’s people to praise, certain psalms provide a model of how to praise God. For example:
- Psalm 9:1 – “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
- Psalm 111:1 – “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.”
- Psalm 138:1 – “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise.”
These psalms demonstrate praising God enthusiastically, corporately, and wholeheartedly.
Psalms as a Songbook for Praising God
In summary, the book of Psalms serves as a songbook for the people of God to sing His praise. The psalms provide words to guide in praising God for who He is as Creator, King, Redeemer, Helper, and Lover of His people. They demonstrate praise that is heartfelt, genuine, thankful, and all-encompassing. The psalms cover the range of human emotions yet always return focus to praising God in song. This allows people to honestly express themselves before God, while being reminded of His goodness and greatness. The psalms model raw, authentic praise that connects people to God in intimate worship. For millennia, God’s people have sung these God-breathed songs as their heartfelt response to who He is and what He has done.