What Is Praise?

What is praise?

Praise is a heart response which expresses adoration and gratefulness.

Who is to praise?

All creation including you and me. (Ps. 138)

Who is to be praised?

The Lord is to be praised for who He is and what He does.

1. He is majestic (Psalms 96:1, 6)
2. He is glorious (138:5)
3. He is excellent (148:13)
4. He is great (145:3)
5. He is powerful (21:13)
6. He exercises loving kindness (63:3)
7. He provides salvation (18:46)
8. He comforts (42:5)
9. He judges (101:1)
10. He counsels (16:7)
11. He exercises mercy (118:1-4; 136)
12. He forgives (103:1-3)
13. He protects (28:7; 59:17)
14. He delivers (40:1-3; 124:6)
15. He answers prayer (28:6; 118:21)
16. He gives spiritual blessings (103:2)
17. He gives material blessings (104:1, 14; 136:25)
18. He blesses daily (68:19)

Our self-sufficiency may cut us off from these great and constant blessings from the Lord. However, if we are as the blessed man in Psalm 1, we are receiving all of these blessings from the Lord.

When and where do we praise?

At all times and for everything (Ps. 34:1; 1 Thess. 5:18). We are to praise more and more (71:14). Our cold hearts and insensitive spirits need the continual warmth of praise for the Lord Himself and His daily blessings.

1. We praise when we awaken in the morning (Ps. 59:16)

2. We are to praise by silently thanking the Lord for blessings throughout the day. We tell the Lord we appreciate Him, that we are thankful for what He has brought into our life.

3. We praise by speaking to others of our thanks to the Lord (51:15).

4. We praise during church services, Bible class, and chapel if we sing praises from our hearts.

5. We are to enter into the presence of the Lord with praise. Our daily devotions should begin with a prayer of praise.

Why do we praise?

The Lord deserves our praise! We are commanded to praise Him (Ps. 150). The attitude and practice of praise transforms our lives into a psalm of praise which glorifies God.

How do we praise?

1. With understanding (Ps. 47:7).
2. With our whole heart (138:1).
3. With an attitude of praise developed through
A. learning to be grateful for ordinary events.
B. learning to see the benefit in every event in our lives.
C. learning to regularly express gratitude to other people.
D. regularly saying or singing the praises in the Psalms back to God.