How can church leaders encourage congregational praise as seen in Psalm 107:32? Setting the Scene in Psalm 107:32 “Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.” (Psalm 107:32) • Two spheres appear: “assembly of the people” (whole congregation) and “council of the elders” (spiritual leadership). • God expects united, vocal exaltation—leaders and people together lifting their voices. Key Insights for Today’s Leaders • Praise is public. It belongs in the gathered meeting, not just private devotion. • Elders model praise. Their visible participation legitimizes and energizes congregational worship. • Exaltation is intentional. The verb “let them” signals a call to action, not a mere suggestion. Practical Ways Leaders Can Stir Praise 1. Live it out first – Stand, sing, and testify with genuine fervor (Psalm 34:3; 1 Chronicles 16:4). – Share brief, personal thanksgivings between songs or readings. 2. Cultivate Scripture-saturated services – Read aloud praise-laden passages (Psalm 95; Colossians 3:16). – Weave verses into transitions so that God’s Word fuels every response. 3. Highlight God’s works regularly – Invite short testimonies of answered prayer (Psalm 107:31). – Use visual aids—photos, slides, reports—to showcase God’s faithfulness. 4. Encourage all-age participation – Alternate upbeat congregational songs with moments for children’s or youth choirs (Psalm 148:12-13). – Train ushers and greeters to greet with joyful expectation, setting a praise-filled tone at the door. 5. Lead with musical excellence and doctrinal depth – Select songs rich in gospel truth (Ephesians 5:19). – Rehearse teams thoroughly so distractions fade and Christ is central. 6. Embed praise in the church calendar – Begin leadership meetings with sung worship (the “council of the elders”). – Mark anniversaries, baptisms, and missions updates as “praise Sundays.” 7. Practice corporate reading and responsive declarations – Use leader/people readings of psalms (e.g., Psalm 136) to engage every voice. – Conclude sermons by inviting the congregation to voice a short doxology together (Romans 11:36). Supporting Biblical Examples • 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 – Priests and people together praise; God’s glory fills the temple. • Ezra 3:10-11 – Leaders direct praise during a pivotal rebuild, uniting old and young. • Acts 2:46-47 – Early believers continually praise God; leaders keep the Jesus focus. • Hebrews 13:15 – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise…” Overcoming Common Hindrances • Formalism: remind hearts why we sing—salvation’s story, not empty ritual (Psalm 103:1-5). • Self-consciousness: teach that God, not human opinion, is the audience (Galatians 1:10). • Weariness: open services with Scripture calls to worship that lift eyes to God’s greatness (Isaiah 40:28-31). A Vision of a Praising Congregation When elders and people bond in wholehearted exaltation, the church mirrors heaven’s continuous worship (Revelation 5:11-13). Voices blend, testimonies abound, and visitors sense the living presence of God. Leaders who embrace Psalm 107:32 ignite this reality, turning every gathering into a vibrant celebration of the Redeemer’s goodness. |
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