Topical Encyclopedia
The praise and glorification of God are central themes throughout the Bible, reflecting the acknowledgment of His supreme authority, majesty, and holiness. These acts of worship are not only expressions of reverence and adoration but also responses to God's character and deeds. The Bible presents praise and glorification as both a duty and a delight for believers, emphasizing their importance in the life of faith.
Old Testament FoundationsIn the Old Testament, praise is often associated with music, singing, and the use of instruments. The Psalms, in particular, are rich with expressions of praise.
Psalm 150:1-6 exhorts, "Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness." This passage highlights the comprehensive nature of praise, encompassing God's dwelling, His deeds, and His inherent greatness.
The Hebrew word for praise, "halal," from which "Hallelujah" is derived, signifies a boastful celebration of God's attributes and works. The Israelites were commanded to praise God continually, as seen in
Deuteronomy 10:21 : "He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome wonders your eyes have seen."
New Testament ContinuationIn the New Testament, the praise and glorification of God continue as central elements of Christian worship. Jesus Himself exemplified a life of praise, often giving thanks to the Father (
Matthew 11:25). The early church followed this pattern, as seen in
Acts 2:46-47 : "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."
The Apostle Paul frequently encouraged believers to live lives characterized by praise. In
Ephesians 5:19-20 , he writes, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Theological SignificancePraise and glorification of God are not merely ritualistic acts but are deeply theological, reflecting the believer's understanding of God's nature and works. Praise acknowledges God's sovereignty, as seen in
Revelation 4:11 : "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and came to be."
Furthermore, praise is an act of obedience and a response to God's grace and salvation.
Hebrews 13:15 instructs, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name."
Practical ExpressionsThe Bible encourages various expressions of praise, including singing, shouting, dancing, and the playing of instruments.
Psalm 98:4-6 declares, "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious song. With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King."
Praise is also expressed through prayer, thanksgiving, and the proclamation of God's Word.
Colossians 3:16 emphasizes the role of Scripture in praise: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Eternal PraiseThe Bible presents praise as an eternal activity, with the heavenly hosts continually glorifying God.
Revelation 7:9-10 provides a glimpse of this eternal praise: "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"
In summary, the praise and glorification of God are foundational to the biblical narrative, reflecting the believer's response to God's majesty, grace, and redemptive work. Through praise, believers participate in a timeless and divine chorus, joining with all creation in exalting the Creator.
