God Is Worthy of Our Praise

The Bible Overflows With Praise to the Almighty

The word praise occurs in more than 360 verses in the Bible. Most of these refer to praising God. They tell of people who praise God and their need to do so. Consider the short, six-verse Psalm 150. It’s filled with praise.

The word occurs thirteen times. In fact, 15 percent of the words in the Psalm are the word praise. That’s a lot of praise.

Psalm 18:3 reminds us that God is worthy of our praise. And it’s a good reminder. At least it’s a reminder I need.

Though I talk to God daily, and on some days more than others, our conversation sounds like a monologue with me asking for stuff.

Yes, my requests have a noble motivation—most of the time. And I strive to thank him for each answer he provides.

Yet thanking God is not the same as praising God. Praise is largely missing in the time I spend with him. At least in the verbal sense.

Praise God in Our Spirit

Yes, sometimes I sit in awe of his presence, and this is a form of praise. Perhaps it’s the best praise I can offer. Though sometimes I’m moved to praise God with words, I too often find that my vocabulary falls short.

My words are inadequate or even nonexistent. And for a writer, not being able to find the right words is most frustrating.

It’s easiest for me to praise God when I’m in the middle of his creation, far away from other people and our creations. It seems he’s all around me.

My mind floods with an attitude of praise. Even though specific words evade me, it could be I’m praising him in my spirit.

Yet in my normal prayers, I fail to offer my appreciation to the Creator. This is the praise God is worthy to receive. The praise he deserves. The praise I fail to give. Ouch!

Though the Almighty is worthy of my praise, fortunately my relationship to him isn’t contingent on me remembering to praise him every day.

He loves me the same, regardless of what I do or don’t do. And he loves us the same, regardless of what we say and do.

Even so, I can’t escape this feeling that when I neglect to praise him—the praise he is worthy of—that I’m letting him down. Maybe I’m letting me down.

[Read through the Bible this year. Today’s reading is Psalm 145-150, and today’s post is on Psalm 150:6.]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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