God's Word on PrayerSample

PRAISE

Psalm 150:1—To praise God is to acknowledge the glories of His excellent Person. It differs somewhat from thanksgiving, which describes what God has done rather than what He is. Here are some notes about praise to keep in mind:

a. God alone is worthy of our praise (Ps. 18:3; 113:3).

b. It is God’s will that we praise Him (Ps. 50:23; Is. 43:21).

c. Praise should be continuous (Ps. 34:1; 71:6) and, at least at times, public (Ps. 22:25).

d. We are to praise God for His holiness (2 Chr. 20:21), grace (Eph. 1:6), goodness (Ps. 135:3), and kindness (Ps. 138:2).

e. All nature praises God (Ps. 148:7–10).

f. The sun, moon, and stars praise God (Ps. 19:1; 143:3).

g. The angels praise God (Ps. 148:2).

In fact, we are told that on occasion God uses even the wrath of people to praise Him (Ps. 76:10). An example of this is seen in the selling of Joseph into slavery by his brothers (Gen. 37:28). God later used this cruel act to promote Joseph as second ruler over all Egypt. As Joseph would remind his brothers,“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen. 50:20).

This Bible study is an excerpt fromThe OPEN Bible, Published by Thomas Nelson Bibles