Why Should We Praise God and How Should We Do So?
We should praise God because he is worthy of and glorified by our praise (II Sam. 22:4; Ps. 22:23). We should praise him because it is due to his majesty, glory, excellency, greatness, holiness, wisdom, power, goodness, mercy, loving-kindness, truth and his wonderful works (Ps. 96:1,6; Ps. 138:5; Ex. 15:7; I Chron. 16:25; Ex. 15:11; Dan. 2:20; Ps. 21:18; Ps. 107:8; II Chron. 20:21; Ps. 138:2; Is. 25:1; Ps. 89:5). Also on account of his gifts to us as are consolations, judgment, counsel, fulfilling of his promises, pardon of sin, spiritual health, constant preservation, deliverance, protection, answering prayer, the hope of glory, and all temporal and spiritual blessings (Ps. 42:5; Ps. 101:1; Ps. 16:7; I Kin. 8:56; Ps. 103:1-3; Ps. 103:3; Ps. 71:6-8; Ps. 40:11-3 Ps. 28:7; Ps. 28:6; Ps. 118:21; I Pet 1:3,4; Ps. 103:2; Eph. 1:3; Ps. 104:1,14; Ps. 136:25). Such praise of God is obligatory on angels, saints, gentiles, children, high and low, young and old, small and great, all men and all creation (Ps. 103:20; Ps. 30:4, 117:1, 8:2, 148:1,12; Rev. 19:5; Ps. 107:8, 148:1-10). This praise is good and comely (Ps. 33:1; Ps. 147:1), and should be offered with the understanding, soul, heart, with uprightness, joy, gladness, thankfulness (Ps. 47:7, 103:1, 9:1, 119:7, 63:5; II Chron. 29:30; I Chron. 16:4). It should be offered continually, more and more, day and night, forever and forever (Ps. 35:28, 104:33, 71:14; Rev. 4:8; II Chron. 30:26; Ps. 145:1,2). And may be expressed in psalms and hymns, accompanied with musical instruments (Ps. 105:2; I Chron. 16:41,42) and as a part of public worship (Ps. 9:14, 100:4, 118:19,20). In this worship we should glory, triumph, express our joy by it, declare, invite others to it, pray for ability to offer it, be imbued with the spirit of praise under all circumstances, even under afflictions (I Chron. 16:35; Ps. 106:47; Jas. 5:13; Is. 42:12; Ps. 34:3, 51:15; la 61:3). This praise has ever been highly thought of. Thus it has been called the fruit of the lips, voice of triumph, voice of melody, voice of psalm, sacrifice of praise and of joy (Heb. 13:15; Ps. 66:8, 47:1; Is. 51:3; Ps. 98:5; Heb. 13:15; Ps. 27:6).
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