Ways to Praise God (4/6/2025)

“Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being” (Psalm 146:1-2).

As the last section of this magnificent Old Testament book begins, the writer introduces a theme of Praise to God, a theme that is repeated in each of the last five psalms. Some have said these last five were added to the Psalms by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to be a part of what was labeled as “Songs of the Return from the Captivity.” As with other psalms, they were used in daily worship.

The word “praise” means to “express one’s respect and gratitude toward (a deity), especially in song.” Contrary to sometimes meaningless expressions in our day, “praise” is mentioned repeatedly in the Old Testament as a way of expressing deeply felt honor of God. And, of course, it does.

Words of praise, however, are not our only way of showing honor and respect for God. We also praise Him in our daily lives by sharing our faith with others; by helping our fellow Christians when they have special needs; by being faithful in our attendance at worship services; by being honest; by abstaining from acts of immorality—generally by living the lifestyle that Jesus has exhorted us to live.

The bottom line is that the words “Praise God” should never become an empty expression that sounds pious but has little substance: we praise God with our lives.