Praising the Lord is a central theme throughout the Bible. It involves expressing worship, gratitude, and adoration to God for who He is and what He has done. Here is an overview of some key points about praising the Lord from a biblical perspective:
The importance of praising God
The Bible encourages praising God in many places. Psalms 150:6 states, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” We are created to praise God and give Him glory (Isaiah 43:21). When we praise God, we align ourselves with His purposes and delight in who He is. “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
Praise is connected to thanksgiving. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4). Gratitude flows out of recognizing God as the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17).
The Bible records many instances of praise in response to God’s work and character. The Psalms, in particular, contain many examples of praising God’s greatness, goodness, and faithfulness. Revelation also depicts praise continuously being given to God in heaven for who He is and what He has done (Revelation 4:8-11).
Why we should praise God
Here are some key reasons why we should praise God:
- He is great: “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3). We praise God because He supremely deserves all glory and honor.
- For His mighty works: “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting” (Psalm 147:1). We praise God for His acts of creation and redemption.
- For His surpassing greatness: “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven” (Psalm 148:13). God is greater than anyone or anything else.
- For His holiness: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:1-2). We praise God because He is completely set apart and perfect.
- For His mercy and truth: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 89:1). God is abundant in love and truth.
- For His salvation: “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). We praise God for redeeming us through Christ.
- He inhabits the praises of His people: “But you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). When we praise God, we draw near to His presence.
How to praise God
Scripture contains many exhortations on how we can praise God:
- With joy and gladness: “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:2). Our praise should be genuine and heartfelt.
- With music and song: “Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!” (Psalm 98:5). We can praise God through worship music.
- With our whole being: “My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:21). Praise should engage our mind, heart, and body.
- In community: “I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you” (Psalm 35:18). Praising God together magnifies His glory.
- Through our lives: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). We live to honor God.
- In word and deed: “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name” (Hebrews 13:15). Our actions should align with praise.
- In all circumstances: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1). We can praise God through seasons of joy or sorrow.
Results of praising God
Praising God leads to many positive results and benefits, including:
- Bringing glory to God: “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:2)
- Alignment with God’s will: “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Praise focuses us on God’s kingdom purposes.
- Defeating the enemy: “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) Praise silences the enemy.
- God’s presence: “But you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3) Praise ushers us into God’s presence.
- Spiritual warfare: “Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.” (Psalm 103:20) Praise releases angels to do spiritual warfare.
- Healing: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3) Praise can bring emotional and physical healing.
- Deliverance: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” (Psalm 91:14) Praise activates God’s protection.
- Breakthrough: “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.'” (2 Chronicles 20:21) Praise precedes breakthrough.
In summary, praising God realigns our posture toward Him as rightful King and centers us on His surpassing worth and greatness. As we praise God for who He is and what He has done, we unlock breakthrough, victory, and blessing in our lives and world. Our praise brings Him glory and activates His power and presence. May we continually cultivate a heart of praise toward God.
And again I say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1)
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God! (Psalm 50:23)
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6)
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Hebrews 13:15)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107:1)
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. (Psalm 104:33)
From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! (Psalm 113:3)
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. (Psalm 145:1-2)
Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! (Psalm 47:6)
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 95:1-2)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. (1 Chronicles 16:36)
Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your glory all the day. (Psalm 71:8)
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. (Psalm 145:21)
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! (Psalm 145:10)
I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you. (Psalm 22:22)
I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. (Psalm 119:7)
But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord! (Jonah 2:9)
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. (Psalm 118:21)
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. (Psalm 63:3)
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. (Psalm 69:30)
Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; give praise, O servants of the Lord. (Psalm 135:1)
At thesetName Jesus every kneeshould 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 2:10-11)
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9)
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! (1 Chronicles 16:8)
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. (Psalm 108:3)
All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name. (Psalm 66:4)
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. (Psalm 107:31-32)
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! (Psalm 150:1)
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! (Psalm 95:2)
My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. (Psalm 71:23)
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. (Psalm 59:16)
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. (Psalm 34:1-2)
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! (Psalm 105:1)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (Psalm 100:4)
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. (Psalm 146:1-2)
I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you. (Psalm 144:9)
From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. (Psalm 22:25)
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6)
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! (Psalm 149:1)
I will praise you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4)
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. (Luke 1:46-47)
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. (Psalm 33:1)
But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. (Psalm 71:14)
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. (Psalm 63:3)
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name forever. (Psalm 86:12)
My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. (Psalm 71:8)
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. (Psalm 30:4)