How can we "praise the LORD" daily as Psalm 147:12 instructs? Psalm 147:12—The Daily Call “Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Glorify your God, O Zion!” Why Daily Praise Matters • Praise is obedience: “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips” (Psalm 34:1). • Praise fixes our memory on His benefits (Psalm 103:2). • Praise invites God’s presence and peace (Philippians 4:6-7). • Praise reminds the watching world whose we are (1 Peter 2:9). Building Morning-to-Night Habits • Begin the day: read a psalm aloud (Psalm 5:3; Psalm 59:16). • Keep a gratitude list on the fridge or phone; add to it at meals. • Set short alarms labeled “Praise break” to pause and thank Him. • End the evening by recounting three mercies of the day (Psalm 92:1-2). Fresh Ways to Express Praise • Sing—alone, in traffic, or with family (Ephesians 5:19). • Speak Scripture aloud—declare a verse that exalts His character (Psalm 145:3). • Journal—write one sentence of praise for every worry you feel. • Serve—turn ordinary tasks into offerings: “Whatever you do…do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). • Witness—drop a word of thanks to God in everyday conversations. Praising Through Every Circumstance • In trials: follow Paul and Silas—sing even at midnight (Acts 16:25). • In abundance: remember the Giver, not just the gifts (Deuteronomy 8:10-11). • In the mundane: fold laundry or mow grass while recounting His attributes. • In grief: pour out lament, then reaffirm trust (Psalm 42:11). Gathered and Scattered Praise • Join corporate worship faithfully (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Host a brief family psalm reading after dinner. • Text a verse of praise to a friend each week to “speak to one another with psalms” (Ephesians 5:19). Guarding Against Praise-Stealers • Forgetfulness—combat by memorizing key praise verses. • Complaining—swap grumbling with gratitude (Philippians 2:14-15). • Hurry—schedule margin; unhurried hearts praise more freely. The Fruit of Continual Praise • Deeper joy (Nehemiah 8:10). • Stronger faith (Romans 4:20-21). • A life that offers “a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15). Every dawn and dusk holds fresh opportunity to echo Psalm 147:12: “Praise the LORD!” |
    |