(Hebrews 13:15 NASB)…..Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
As Christians, it is our obligation to praise God. However, do we understand what it means to praise God? Do we know what we are doing when we offer “the sacrifice of praise” from our lips? Do we think about what we are saying when we do praise our God? Praising God is an important part of the faithful Christian’s life. In the Old Testament, there are different Hebrew words for “praise.” There are at least five concepts behind the words for praise: thanksgiving, joy or rejoicing, adoration or worship, blessing and boasting.
When we praise God we give thanks. The Bible is filled with the language of gratitude, (Psalm 106:1) says…..“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Hebrews 13:15) also teaches the relationship between thanksgiving and praise: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” So we see that praise involves thanksgiving. But praise also involves joy. (Psalm 98:4) tells us to “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” When the Christian appropriately praises the Lord, he does so with joy in his heart.
When we praise God we boast of His greatness. Just think of how great He is. With that thought, how can we not go right to praise. The Psalmist writes, (Psalm 44:8)…..“In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever.” Consider Paul’s words in (Romans 11:33)…..“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Here is a praise that boasts of God’s greatness. God is truly worthy of our boasting. One of my favorite verses in Scripture is in (Jeremiah 9:24) where he wrote by inspiration, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
We can give God praise in many different ways such as, reading His word, in prayer, in preaching, in fellowshipping with one another, etc. But when it comes to worship or praise we mostly think towards the act of singing. This is truly a great way to worship God. He certainly loves to hear us sing praises to Him. Now it is no secret that when it comes to singing I prefer the old hymns over most of what is called worship songs today. Now don’t misunderstand me here. I like some modern day praise songs, but what I look for in worship songs is doctrine, you know songs that preach the word of God to us as we sing. Let me give you an example of what I mean, a song that causes us to boast of God’s greatness.
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” This is probably a song that many people have heard, and could even sing without a hymnal. While many hymns are produced out of a particular dramatic experience, the above titled hymn is simply the result of the author’s “morning by morning” realization of God’s inherent faithfulness. I have added some Scriptures for you to study to emphasize the point.
“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father (Lamentations 3:23).
There is no shadow of turning with Thee (James 1:17).
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not (Malachi 3:6).
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be (Lamentations 5:19) (Psalm 9:7).
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest (Genesis 8:22).
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above (Genesis 1:14-18).
Join with all nature in manifold witness (Romans 1:19-20) (Acts 14:17).
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love (Psalm 57:10) (Psalm 89:1-2).
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth (Jeremiah 31:34) (Hebrews 10:16-17.
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide (John 16:13-14,33).
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow (Philippians 4:13) (Titus 2:13).
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside (Ephesians 1:3) (Malachi 3:10).
Great is Thy faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:23).
Morning by morning new mercies I see (Lamentations 3:23).
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided (Acts 17:24-25).
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! (Psalm 69:13).
When you praise Him, whether it is through the reading His word, in prayer, in preaching, in fellowshipping with one another, etc. do it with thanksgiving, joy, rejoicing, adoration, and boasting in Him.