Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Significance:Praise and honor are central themes in the Bible, reflecting the appropriate response of God's people to His majesty, power, and goodness. Praise involves expressing admiration and gratitude towards God, often through words, music, and actions. Honor, on the other hand, involves recognizing and esteeming God's authority and holiness, as well as showing respect to others as an extension of honoring God.
Biblical Foundations:1.
Praise: · The Bible frequently calls believers to praise God for His attributes and deeds. In
Psalm 150:6, the psalmist declares, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!" This verse encapsulates the universal call to praise God, emphasizing that all creation is invited to participate in this act of worship.
· Praise is not only a response to God's actions but also a recognition of His inherent nature.
Psalm 145:3 states, "Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable." Here, the psalmist acknowledges that God's greatness is beyond human comprehension, warranting continual praise.
· The New Testament also emphasizes praise, as seen in
Hebrews 13:15: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name." This verse highlights the idea of praise as a sacrificial offering, made possible through Jesus Christ.
2.
Honor: · Honor in the Bible is closely linked to the concept of reverence and respect.
Proverbs 3:9 instructs, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest." This verse underscores the importance of honoring God through the stewardship of resources, reflecting a heart of gratitude and obedience.
· The Ten Commandments include a directive to honor one's parents, as seen in
Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." This commandment illustrates the broader biblical principle of honoring others as a reflection of honoring God.
· In the New Testament,
1 Peter 2:17 exhorts believers, "Show proper respect to everyone, love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." This verse encapsulates the multifaceted nature of honor, which includes respect for authority, love for fellow believers, and reverence for God.
Expressions of Praise and Honor:·
Worship and Music: The Psalms are replete with examples of musical praise, such as
Psalm 98:4: "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out and sing praises!" Music serves as a powerful medium for expressing praise and honor to God.
·
Prayer and Thanksgiving:Philippians 4:6 encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, highlighting the role of gratitude in prayer as a form of praise and honor.
·
Obedience and Service:Romans 12:1 urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is described as a "spiritual act of worship." This underscores the idea that true honor involves a life of obedience and service to God.
Theological Implications:·
God's Worthiness: Praise and honor are rooted in the recognition of God's worthiness.
Revelation 4:11 proclaims, "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 were created." This verse affirms that God's worthiness is based on His role as Creator and Sustainer.
·
Transformation of the Believer: Engaging in praise and honor transforms the believer's heart and mind, aligning them with God's purposes.
Colossians 3:16 encourages believers to let the word of Christ dwell richly within them, teaching and admonishing one another with wisdom through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in their hearts to God.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not provide a formal conclusion on the topics of praise and honor, it is evident that these practices are integral to the life of faith, serving as expressions of love, reverence, and devotion to God. Through praise and honor, believers acknowledge God's sovereignty and participate in the divine relationship He offers.
