Introduction

Glorifying God is a central theme in Christian theology and practice, reflecting the believer's response to God's majesty, holiness, and love. One of the primary ways believers glorify God is through praise, an act that acknowledges His supreme worth and attributes. The Bible provides numerous examples and exhortations to praise God, emphasizing its importance in the life of a believer.

Biblical Foundation

The act of praising God is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is both a command and a natural response to His greatness. The Psalms, in particular, are replete with calls to praise. Psalm 150:6 declares, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!" This verse encapsulates the universal call for all creation to glorify God through praise.

Old Testament Examples

In the Old Testament, praise is often associated with worship and thanksgiving. The Israelites praised God for His mighty acts and deliverance. After crossing the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise, saying, "The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation" (Exodus 15:2). This act of praise was a direct response to God's intervention and salvation.

The Psalms serve as a hymnbook for the people of Israel, with many psalms dedicated to praising God. Psalm 103:1-2 exhorts, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds." Here, praise is both a personal and communal act, reminding believers of God's goodness and mercy.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, praise continues to be a vital expression of glorifying God. The early church is depicted as a community that regularly engaged in praising God. Acts 2:46-47 describes the early believers, "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 encourages believers to praise God. In Ephesians 5:19-20 , he instructs, "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." Praise is portrayed as an integral part of the Christian life, fostering unity and gratitude among believers.

Theological Significance

Praising God is not merely a ritualistic act but a profound theological expression. It acknowledges God's sovereignty, holiness, and love. Praise is an act of worship that aligns the believer's heart with God's will, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. It is both a response to God's revealed character and an anticipation of His future promises.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a lifestyle of praise, integrating it into daily life. This can be achieved through personal devotion, corporate worship, and spontaneous expressions of gratitude. Praise can be expressed through song, prayer, and proclamation, each serving as a means to glorify God.

Conclusion

While this entry does not include a conclusion, it is evident that glorifying God through praise is a foundational aspect of the Christian faith, deeply embedded in both the Old and New Testaments. It is a response to God's character and works, and a vital practice for believers seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life.Psalm 50:23
Whoever offers praise glorifies me: and to him that orders his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.
Nave's Topical Index

Carried by Four
... who were looking for opportunities of praising him anew, were ... UP WILL NEED MUCH THOUGHT
BEFORE THE DESIGN IS ACCOMPLISHED. ... Who else united in glorifying God? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/carried by four.htm

Proofs of the Foregoing, Drawn from the Gospels of Mark and Luke.
... he adds: "The shepherds returned, glorifying God for all ... shepherds did not glorify
another god, but Him ... days of purification were accomplished, they brought ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x proofs of the foregoing.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.
... And when all were glorifying God, and wondering at the ... O Lord, when I have accomplished
Thy stewardship ... praising and blessing the benignant God; because to Him ...
/.../acts of the holy apostle.htm

A Statement of the Manner in which Luke's Procedure is Proved to ...
... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the ... And when eight
days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His name was ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter v a statement of the.htm

General Service for the Festivals of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
... ye Godly-wise, let us clap our hands, glorifying the God ... pure one, is that of the
mystery of God and the ... the working of the Holy Spirit was accomplished as a ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter i general service for.htm

The Gospel According to St. Luke
... painter, and attributes to him a certain ... these things be accomplished," evidently
including ... such expressions as "glorifying God," "praising God," "blessing God ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter v the gospel according.htm

The General Service to a Monk-Martyr.
... cut up the intellectual Ethiopians, and having accomplished the law ... as upon His holy
throne; for God is become ... the life of a bodiless one, glorifying with the ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xviii the general service.htm

Ebenezer!
... we may discover some happy incidents, refreshing to ourselves and glorifying to
our God. ... strength of man will equal this which has been accomplished by God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... exercises of vowing and swearing to him are glorifying, certainly when ... moreover appears
from the end to be accomplished by the shining of God's face upon ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... We are not, however, glorifying our own power, but the ... Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all ... in conforming one's life to it, nothing has been accomplished. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

What does it mean to glorify God? | GotQuestions.org

How can I glorify God in everything I do? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about worship? | GotQuestions.org

Glorifying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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