Praise is an act of worship, whether in prayer, song, dance, or declaration. In praise, I thank God for all He has done, but more importantly, I worship Him for who He is. Praise is an action! It is meant to flow naturally from a heart of gratitude and awe.
Many words are often used as synonyms in parallel with “praise. ” These words help point to its meaning: “bless, ” “exalt, ” “extol, ” “glorify, ” “magnify, ” “thank, ” and “confess.” To praise God is to call attention to his glory.
From Genesis to Exodus the theme of praise runs through the pages of the bible. I am reminded constantly that life is not meant to be lived in self-focus, but rather with head and heart tilted upward, and eyes fixed on Someone far greater!
Did you know our core purpose is to give God praise?
“The people whom I formed for Myself
Will declare My praise.”
Isaiah 43:21
Psalms of Praise
It is no surprise to discover the Hebrew title for The Psalms is “Praises”.
Giving God glory and adoration is more than an obligation, it is a delight!
“I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
Psalm 63:2-5
God is holy and fully good! He doesn’t need our worship! He is worthy of it!
Reasons for Praising God
It is impossible to quantify the many reasons God is most worthy of such adoration! Let me name just a few!
God is faithful to every one of His promises:
He is the One and only true God.
God is crowned with glory, honour, and splendor.
He is inerrantly good!
His word is faithful and true.
His love endures forever: His grace is beyond comprehension,
and His mercies are new each morning.
The Lord reigns in majesty and power.
He is a covenant keeping God –
our Deliverer, our Saviour,
our Rock and our Defender.
God is a Righteous Judge, a Mighty Warrior,
and Gentle Shepherd.
He is the Creator of all and Redeemer of people.
And that is just the “tip of the iceberg”!
Unchanging God
The same God that delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt and made a way through the Red Sea is with us today! He is for us, not against us! He is still Healer, Restorer, Comforter, and our Anchor of Hope.
Every anthem of praise still applies!
“Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Do you notice how each one of these words are actions? Praise is not quiet nor passive acknowledgement of God’s goodness and greatness.
“Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!”
God is still great! He is still present! He is worthy of highest acclaim!
The Best Time
Often the best time to give God praise is before the breakthrough, before the healing, before the dawn breaks forth or the storm ends. As we choose to pronounce His attributes, peace, confidence, and strength begins to fill us. God dwells in the midst of our praise!
“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”
Habakkuk 3:17-18
Habakkuk has the right idea!
In the light of a palace Solomon wrote the proverbs. In the darkness of the wilderness, fleeing from his enemies, David wrote the psalms.
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
Hebrews 2:12
Yes! Worship God in your local church, but don’t limit your worship to these beautiful corporate times.
How to Praise
Some lifted up shouts of praise and singing
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
…and the sound of singing.”
Psalm 98:4-5
Miriam picked up a tambourine and led women in a dance of praise rejoicing on the freedom side of the Red Sea. (On a side note, remember Miriam was well into her eighties at this time!) Miriam’s dance of worship may have been the first mentioned in bible, but it wasn’t the last. Decades later, David danced in the streets.
“Wearing a linen ephod,
David was dancing before the LORD with all his might,”
2 Samuel 6:14
A man healed gave a different kind of praise:
“He jumped to his feet and began to walk.
Then he went with them into the temple courts,
walking and jumping, and praising God.”
Acts 3:8
The way your walk, the way you talk and where you chose to go, can demonstrate praise.
Children and adults alike waved palm branches in jubilant exaltation as Jesus entered Jerusalem
“They took palm branches and went out to meet him,
shouting, “Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
John 12:13
More important than the method we chose is a heart fully devoted to honour and glorify God. Praise is one of the few things we rehearse on earth and do perfectly in heaven. Around God’s throne over seven thousand different nations, tribes and tongues will join together in one glorious anthem. Let’s be ready!
May praise be active daily as we proclaim to our world, God is worthy! Whether on your own or combining your voice with others, declare it, “God is worthy of all praise!”