Psalm 34

Have you ever seriously thought of the value of praise to the Lord? The Bible is filled with expressions of praise and often exhorts us to praise the Lord. Praise is a valued experience for the Christian. Its value is seen in what it does for the Lord as well as for us as praising individuals. It may be true that many of us need to learn the art of praising the Lord.

Because of the value of praise, we need to lift our voices with the Psalmist and say, “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Why is praise so important?

• Praise exalts the Lord
  • It exalts Him before men
    • This reveals the being of the God whom we love and serve
      • Holy
      • Loving
      • Compassionate
      • Kind
  • It exalts Him in our own life
    • God will be praised! Jesus said the very stones would cry out if man kept silent.
      • Praise brings to remembrance what God is doing for us
      • Praise creates greater love for God
    • Praise is a continuing reminder of God’s mercy (Psalm 34:4-6)
• Praise centers our thoughts on God
  • There are many distractions in this life, but praise is one of the richest ways to keep our minds centered on God.
    • “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)
    • This helps us remember God’s beneficence (Philippians 4:6)
    • This brings peace (Psalm 34:7)
    • Gives us worthy things to contemplate (Psalm 34:8)
• Praise gives a proper perspective to life
  • Shows us that God can be praised at all times (Psalm 34:1)
  • God’s mercy is known even in trouble (Psalm 34:7)
    • David was fleeing from Saul and could give this testimony of praise
  • In days of unrest, we need this perspective for living
    • “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Therefore, it is a good thing to give praise to the Lord at all times. If we keep life centered on self, we soon become spiritual prunes. We dry up from within, but a life that praises the Lord becomes vital and radiant and honors the Lord. Praise is one means of Christian growth. We conclude with the words of David, “O Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”