"I will give thanks to Thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Thy name forever."
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"
--Psalm 103:2, 63:3, 86:12, 150:6
These verses combined from Psalms stirs the reverent mind. Their words prompt us first to identify
God's many blessings, and then to treasure them. Surely God is worthy of intelligent praise. When we
bless God we are doing more than praising Him. To "bless" is to praise with affection and gratitude.
Having first called upon his own soul, the praiser next calls on all men to praise the LORD. His many
benefits are not to be forgotten, but people are so forgetful that we are continually exhorted not to.
God's "loving kindness" is better than anything to which we might now compare it; thus it is more to be
valued. By "loving kindness" the praiser may refer to the spiritual care God exercises over His children.
Thus, His loving kindness is of greater worth than even the best of our human experiences. In short,
God's loving kindness is "better than life."
We praise Him when we appreciate what God has done for us: His providential assistance, His
deliverance from issues and problems. Even when we ourselves initiate actions which result in
blessings, we should still praise God. All blessings come through the operation of principles learned
from Him.
PRAISE GOD...
For Redemption:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget none of His benefits: who pardons all your iniquities...; who redeems your life from the pit;
who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so
that your youth is renewed like the eagle."--Psalm 103:1-5
For Fatherly Compassion:
"He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high
as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him. As far as
the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has
compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself
knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust."--Psalm 103:10-14
For Everlasting Loving kindness:
"But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and his
righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant, and who remember His precepts
to do them."--Psalm 103:17,18
For Enduring Righteousness:
"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and
in the assembly. Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid
and majestic is His work; and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonders to be
remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate."--Psalm 111:1-4
For Blessing the Reverent:
Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His
commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light arises in the darkness
for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous."--Psalm 112:1-4
For His Righteous Works:
"Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to
my God while I have my being. Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. How blessed is he whose
help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God; who made heaven and earth, the sea and
all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the
hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD raises up
those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous."--Psalm 146:1-8
CHRISTIAN PRAISE
"Praise" (in its various forms) appears only 33 times in the King James New Testament. Christians are
exhorted to praise God, to consider why we praise Him, and to communicate our hope to praise Him
better. New Testament writers often quoted psalms that encourage worshippers to praise God. The
psalmists often praised God for caring for their daily needs, and for protecting Israel. Peter suggests a
higher order of praise for Christians: "...that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light."--1 Peter 2:9 KJV
The Hebrews' author seems to have built upon that idea. He wrote that declaring God's praises is a
sacrifice. It is part of the devotion that we give to God if we are dedicated to serving and pleasing Him.
"By him therefore [by Jesus, who "that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered
without the gate"] let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips,
giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God
is well pleased."
It seems as though that author regarded "the sacrifice of praise to God continually" as so essential that
he had to caution us not to forget other sacrifices: "to do good and to communicate."--Hebrews 13:15,16
"Christian" is a name by which God's dear children are now called-- even though all who call
themselves Christians may not be God's dear children. He has taken us for His own. He graciously
promised to lead us through life's wilderness while holding us by the hand. We have no pillar of cloud
or fire going before us (Exod. 13:22). We have instead His Word, His assurance of guidance. That Word
answers every purpose. His Word is the fire and cloud which precede us. It directs us whether to turn
right or left down life's pathway. If we listen to His word with confident trust it will guide us.
When we see little or nothing of life's pathway before us, the guidance that comes from the Bible is truly
wonderful. It acts like a pillar of fire, illuminating our every step.
One way to praise the LORD is to thank Him daily in prayer for supplying our daily physical needs. We
should also thank Him for the satisfying and refreshing bread and water of life. Songs of worship and
thanksgiving also praise God. It is good to sing aloud at Christian gatherings. All are praising the same
God with the same words, thinking the same thoughts, singing the same tune. All come before God in
the name of the same Savior, filled with the influence of the same spirit. This is Christian unity as it is
commonly experienced at its sweetest. However, the child of God can experience even sweeter joys.
The fourth chapter of Ephesians might be considered the Bible's "unity chapter." There Paul explains
what full spiritual unity means. If we continually live in that spiritual unity we could live all our lives in
a state of spiritual exaltation just like that which we feel when we join our hearts in song with other
believers-just like it, but permeating every fiber of our being and every moment of life.
WHAT ABOUT GOD?
We praise the LORD when we tell the truth about Him. Many people do not understand how a
powerful, loving God can witness all of earth's sorrow and not put an immediate stop to it. Even worse,
many teach things about God which are utterly untrue.
If someone tells a lie about us, do we not appreciate it when a friend defends our good name? If someone
were to say something false about our father or mother, would we not be indignant and hasten to
contradict it? Would we not be shocked that anyone could suggest our loving parents were guilty of
thinking or saying what others attributed to them?
What about God? Does He not hurt when millions of His professed children circulate the report that He
is a cruel monster, who will torment for all eternity the majority of the human race? Does He not want
those who know better to actively counteract such false charges?
It is sad that billions know not God. And they have never heard of the loving Savior who died for them.
But He knows of all of them! He who is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) will one day call them
forth (John 5:28,29). They are all His. He died for them. He bought them with His own precious blood (1
Cor. 6:20, 1 Pet. 1:18,19). We need not worry about them.
Proclaiming the resurrection praises Him who purposed to redeem all people through His beloved Son. I
would not mind if someone said something good about me. I would not mind if someone said a dear
friend had made sacrifice in order to help feed or shelter impoverished children or refugees in Somolia,
the Balkans, or elsewhere. I would be proud of them!
And, I am proud of God! I want everybody to know about Him. I want all to know how good and kind
and loving God is (John 3:16, 1 John 4:8,16). I want all to know that God has the power to put His
goodness into operation. He has the power to "keep" His children now and to deal with the dead in due
time. So far, the world has seen little of how God uses His goodness and power. There is goodness, but
it is manifest mostly in humiliation. There is power, but it is used mostly by the selfish. It will be a
glorious day when our all-powerful God uses His goodness to bless all mankind with life and peace.
SUMMARY
Many die without knowing enough about God's goodness so as to have reason to praise Him. That is
sad. But knowing that God has good in store for them is true comfort. The constant repetition of
falsehoods does not make those falsehoods true. God will not torment anyone, all contrary statements
notwithstanding. His true character will some day be known by all mankind.--1 Tim. 2:4
Spread the knowledge of God's goodness! We have no great power or influence, but we have a tongue
that can put in a good word for the LORD of hosts. We have a hand that can publish His truths. We
have feet that can distribute the message of His love (Isa. 52:7, Rom. 10:9-15). It is joy to share the
comfort by which we are comforted. Rejoice!
God fills the mouth of His people with praises! "Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Oh, that all men knew of the goodness of the Lord,
and so join in His praise!
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"
--Psalm 103:2, 63:3, 86:12, 150:6
These verses combined from Psalms stirs the reverent mind. Their words prompt us first to identify
God's many blessings, and then to treasure them. Surely God is worthy of intelligent praise. When we
bless God we are doing more than praising Him. To "bless" is to praise with affection and gratitude.
Having first called upon his own soul, the praiser next calls on all men to praise the LORD. His many
benefits are not to be forgotten, but people are so forgetful that we are continually exhorted not to.
God's "loving kindness" is better than anything to which we might now compare it; thus it is more to be
valued. By "loving kindness" the praiser may refer to the spiritual care God exercises over His children.
Thus, His loving kindness is of greater worth than even the best of our human experiences. In short,
God's loving kindness is "better than life."
We praise Him when we appreciate what God has done for us: His providential assistance, His
deliverance from issues and problems. Even when we ourselves initiate actions which result in
blessings, we should still praise God. All blessings come through the operation of principles learned
from Him.
PRAISE GOD...
For Redemption:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget none of His benefits: who pardons all your iniquities...; who redeems your life from the pit;
who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so
that your youth is renewed like the eagle."--Psalm 103:1-5
For Fatherly Compassion:
"He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high
as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him. As far as
the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has
compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself
knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust."--Psalm 103:10-14
For Everlasting Loving kindness:
"But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and his
righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant, and who remember His precepts
to do them."--Psalm 103:17,18
For Enduring Righteousness:
"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and
in the assembly. Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid
and majestic is His work; and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonders to be
remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate."--Psalm 111:1-4
For Blessing the Reverent:
Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His
commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light arises in the darkness
for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous."--Psalm 112:1-4
For His Righteous Works:
"Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to
my God while I have my being. Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. How blessed is he whose
help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God; who made heaven and earth, the sea and
all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the
hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD raises up
those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous."--Psalm 146:1-8
CHRISTIAN PRAISE
"Praise" (in its various forms) appears only 33 times in the King James New Testament. Christians are
exhorted to praise God, to consider why we praise Him, and to communicate our hope to praise Him
better. New Testament writers often quoted psalms that encourage worshippers to praise God. The
psalmists often praised God for caring for their daily needs, and for protecting Israel. Peter suggests a
higher order of praise for Christians: "...that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light."--1 Peter 2:9 KJV
The Hebrews' author seems to have built upon that idea. He wrote that declaring God's praises is a
sacrifice. It is part of the devotion that we give to God if we are dedicated to serving and pleasing Him.
"By him therefore [by Jesus, who "that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered
without the gate"] let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips,
giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God
is well pleased."
It seems as though that author regarded "the sacrifice of praise to God continually" as so essential that
he had to caution us not to forget other sacrifices: "to do good and to communicate."--Hebrews 13:15,16
"Christian" is a name by which God's dear children are now called-- even though all who call
themselves Christians may not be God's dear children. He has taken us for His own. He graciously
promised to lead us through life's wilderness while holding us by the hand. We have no pillar of cloud
or fire going before us (Exod. 13:22). We have instead His Word, His assurance of guidance. That Word
answers every purpose. His Word is the fire and cloud which precede us. It directs us whether to turn
right or left down life's pathway. If we listen to His word with confident trust it will guide us.
When we see little or nothing of life's pathway before us, the guidance that comes from the Bible is truly
wonderful. It acts like a pillar of fire, illuminating our every step.
One way to praise the LORD is to thank Him daily in prayer for supplying our daily physical needs. We
should also thank Him for the satisfying and refreshing bread and water of life. Songs of worship and
thanksgiving also praise God. It is good to sing aloud at Christian gatherings. All are praising the same
God with the same words, thinking the same thoughts, singing the same tune. All come before God in
the name of the same Savior, filled with the influence of the same spirit. This is Christian unity as it is
commonly experienced at its sweetest. However, the child of God can experience even sweeter joys.
The fourth chapter of Ephesians might be considered the Bible's "unity chapter." There Paul explains
what full spiritual unity means. If we continually live in that spiritual unity we could live all our lives in
a state of spiritual exaltation just like that which we feel when we join our hearts in song with other
believers-just like it, but permeating every fiber of our being and every moment of life.
WHAT ABOUT GOD?
We praise the LORD when we tell the truth about Him. Many people do not understand how a
powerful, loving God can witness all of earth's sorrow and not put an immediate stop to it. Even worse,
many teach things about God which are utterly untrue.
If someone tells a lie about us, do we not appreciate it when a friend defends our good name? If someone
were to say something false about our father or mother, would we not be indignant and hasten to
contradict it? Would we not be shocked that anyone could suggest our loving parents were guilty of
thinking or saying what others attributed to them?
What about God? Does He not hurt when millions of His professed children circulate the report that He
is a cruel monster, who will torment for all eternity the majority of the human race? Does He not want
those who know better to actively counteract such false charges?
It is sad that billions know not God. And they have never heard of the loving Savior who died for them.
But He knows of all of them! He who is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) will one day call them
forth (John 5:28,29). They are all His. He died for them. He bought them with His own precious blood (1
Cor. 6:20, 1 Pet. 1:18,19). We need not worry about them.
Proclaiming the resurrection praises Him who purposed to redeem all people through His beloved Son. I
would not mind if someone said something good about me. I would not mind if someone said a dear
friend had made sacrifice in order to help feed or shelter impoverished children or refugees in Somolia,
the Balkans, or elsewhere. I would be proud of them!
And, I am proud of God! I want everybody to know about Him. I want all to know how good and kind
and loving God is (John 3:16, 1 John 4:8,16). I want all to know that God has the power to put His
goodness into operation. He has the power to "keep" His children now and to deal with the dead in due
time. So far, the world has seen little of how God uses His goodness and power. There is goodness, but
it is manifest mostly in humiliation. There is power, but it is used mostly by the selfish. It will be a
glorious day when our all-powerful God uses His goodness to bless all mankind with life and peace.
SUMMARY
Many die without knowing enough about God's goodness so as to have reason to praise Him. That is
sad. But knowing that God has good in store for them is true comfort. The constant repetition of
falsehoods does not make those falsehoods true. God will not torment anyone, all contrary statements
notwithstanding. His true character will some day be known by all mankind.--1 Tim. 2:4
Spread the knowledge of God's goodness! We have no great power or influence, but we have a tongue
that can put in a good word for the LORD of hosts. We have a hand that can publish His truths. We
have feet that can distribute the message of His love (Isa. 52:7, Rom. 10:9-15). It is joy to share the
comfort by which we are comforted. Rejoice!
God fills the mouth of His people with praises! "Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Oh, that all men knew of the goodness of the Lord,
and so join in His praise!
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