We’ve all seen movies or shows where the press is hounding someone for a scoop of information. Eventually the person talks and then says, “You can quote me on that.”’ It’s like adding an exclamation point to the statement and giving validity to the truth behind it. Have you ever been quoted? It might be something you said or maybe a story you wrote. It feels a little weird hearing your words in someone else’s mouth or seeing them in print. At the same time, it’s also encouraging and pretty cool to know that something from you is being used by someone else. It makes humility difficult as you want to share, but don’t want to get too puffed up.

Praising God for what he has done is very important as it helps remind us who is in control, and provides, and comforts, and protects, and guides, etc. The Bible is full of commands to praise God (especially in Psalms). In Luke as Jesus is having his “triumphal entry” to Jerusalem, the Pharisees tell Jesus to stop his followers from rejoicing and praising. Jesus responds with, “I tell you, if they were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:40.

Praise is not the same thing as worship or thanksgiving, although it can be part of both. Worship often starts as praise, but goes deeper into focusing on God and who He is and aligning ourselves to His plan- giving ourselves up to and glorifying him. Thanksgiving is literally thanking God for providing and being true to his nature – showing we appreciate him. Praise is joyfully recounting what God has done (Psalm 9:1). To put it more modernly, it’s saying, “Wow God, you are so awesome! You did this and then you worked that out. You alone are worthy as no one else could have handled that.”
When and where should we praise God? Psalm 146:2 says, “I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” Are you alive? Then find something to praise God about. Are you too low and feeling depressed or going through some rough times? Praise God! Focus on Him and what He has, is and will do instead of circumstance. On my way home from the hospital after seeing a sonogram of my unborn son who no longer had a heartbeat, I was in a low spot. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:5. My options were to focus on my hurt, or to praise God for working in ways I can’t imagine. Whether you’re on the mountain top or in the deepest valley of despair, Praise God!

Why praise God? “For great is the Lord and worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” Psalm 96:4. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you have created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11. Frankly, praise God because only He is worthy of our praise. However, He also enjoys hearing us and even calls it pleasant or lovely when we sing praises to God (Psalm 147:1). As Christians, God’s special possession, we alone are able to praise God for who He is and what He has done, so it’s our duty to declare His praises (1 Peter 2:9).

How to praise? Sing, dance, raise hands, keep from raising hands, kneel, whatever you feel led to do, Praise God! Focus on who He is and what He has done. Just like we enjoy hearing someone quote us, quote God. He loves to hear his Word on our lips. Read the book of Psalms, it’s basically a huge praise book for us to reflect on and copy. If you don’t know where to start, read the Psalms out loud back to him. Try it now with me, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm‬ ‭63:1-4‬. Memorize the Psalms so you can always Praise God!