Definition of Praise
What is Praise? Let me give you a quick definition: praise is giving honor in verbal or physical expression to someone or something.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s describes praise in two forms:
1. A verb (verb is a word that is grammatical center of a predicate and expresses an act—action or inactivity of a person, place, or thing) Form: praised; praising 1: to express approval of: commend.
2. A noun (noun is a word that is the subject of discourse—person, place, or thing) Form: praise 1: to glorify (a divinity or a saint) especially in song.
In other words, it means to admire, commend, extol, honor, worship, and glory given to a superior being or a saint; a person who met certain quantifications as the standard’s by man. In scripture (the bible), the word is used at random to refer to renown, fame, or glory given to idols, material things, or to the true God.
Purpose of Praise
Every created being living on planet earth were created with a instinct to praise and worship. These created things—a person, the sun, moon, and stars, heavens, all kinds of animals, and so on was place here on earth to praise God Almighty. We were pre-wired that way by Him. He created and made these things for His good pleasure. In return we praise Him. If you need a scripture reference for this, look in Psalm 148; which contains a list of created things who praise God. Yes, it is our duty and a privilege for being alive today. Why?
Psalms 115:17 states, “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” And look at, Isaiah 38: 18, which states, “For the grave cannot praise thee; death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit can hope for thy truth.” These verses show that praising the Creator is our purpose in this life, not the dead. But they also explain how living people in dead traditions tend not to praise God any more than literal corpses do. Do you want to be followers of dead traditions of men? Hope not. We are alive unto righteousness, and serve a living God. Just think about His goodness!
God is good to all, who call on Him in truth. Gary Oliver, a psalmist and pastor of Tabernacle of Praise, once said, “The highest praise is not worship but obedience.” Are you obeying the call to praise and worship to the Most High God today? You need to praise Him in obedience to the truth. The truth is found in God’s Word, and is sung or recited. If you know the truth, you will began to praise Him, not for what He has done, but for who He is to you.
Are you moving and in your right state of mind? Have food to eat? You have a nice place to live in? You should have a praise in your mouth that will helpfully show in your actions, after declaring the goodness of God.
Take Some Time to Praise the Lord Right Now
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” - Psalm 34:1 KJV
Can you praise God with a pure heart? The attitude of the heart is the heartbeat of praise. In other words, LaMar Boschman, a General of Praise & Worship, and the Founder of the Worship Institute, expresses it this way,” When I worship, I would rather my heart be without words than my words be without heart.” If you feel this way, it is alright. Get your attitude to align with your heart, then you will see praise come forth. Without the inward attitude of the heart, you cannot praise God the way you should. All the art forms—singing, dancing, playing of musical instruments, etc.—cannot express your attitude of the heart, but can be used to help in the expression of your truth in worship. Just be genuine in your attitude of worship! God is looking for genuine people, giving their heart and soul, to Him freely in their expressions. A pure heart is nothing more than being real with God, and not pretending to honor and adore Him.
If you do not know how to praise the Lord, lets pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank you on this day that I have the desirer to praise and worship with a pure heart. You will receive my praise as a sweet smelling savor and heard the sound of my heartbeat from now on. I will praise you continually; for this is what I was created to do—praise the Lord. In Jesus’ Name.
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