WHY PRAISE GOD?

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies – Psalm 18:3

Today, let’s meditate on this very important question: Why praise God? Here are four out of many reasons to praise God:

God is worthy of our praise: “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised” (Psa.18:3). Revelation 5:11-12 says: “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

Praise is a Calling: We are called to praise and worship God: “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Pet.2:5, 9).

Praise is Evidence of Life. It is the Living that Praise God: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD”! (Psa.150:6). God’s Praise from your heart and on your lips is proof of His breath in your life! And, the more you praise Him, the better life becomes. Praise changes you! In fact, you become like the One you praise. Idolaters become like their idols (Jer.2:5b). If you praise and worship superficial things, your life becomes superficial. If you praise and worship perverted things, your life becomes perverted. When you praise and worship the True and Living God, you become like Him (2 Cor.3:18).

Praise puts evil to flight. Praise defeats your enemies: “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Psa.8:2 NIV). Ps 149:5-6 declares: “Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand” 

Now you know WHY. If you don’t know HOW, simply begin to praise Him from the Psalms. Begin to sing with the Psalmist. That is chief among many books in the Holy Scriptures that tell and teach us how to praise God. Pick up a Christian Hymn Book, and begin to add voice and melody to the words that saints over the ages have been inspired to script to His Glory!