Praise is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, reflecting a heart of gratitude and reverence towards God. The Bible provides numerous examples and instructions on how the saints should posture themselves in praise, emphasizing both the physical and spiritual attitudes that are pleasing to the Lord.

Physical Posture in Praise

The physical posture of the saints during praise is often depicted in Scripture as an outward expression of an inward reality. Various postures are mentioned, each reflecting a different aspect of worship and reverence:

1. Standing: Standing is a common posture in praise, symbolizing respect and readiness to serve. In Nehemiah 9:5, the Levites call the people to stand and bless the Lord: "Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise."

2. Kneeling and Bowing: Kneeling or bowing is a posture of humility and submission before God. Psalm 95:6 invites the faithful to worship in this manner: "O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker."

3. Lifting Hands: Lifting hands is a gesture of surrender and openness to God. In Psalm 63:4, David declares, "So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands."

4. Dancing: Dancing is an expression of joy and celebration in the presence of the Lord. Psalm 149:3 encourages this form of praise: "Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp."

5. Singing and Shouting: Vocal expressions of praise, including singing and shouting, are prevalent throughout Scripture. Psalm 100:1-2 exhorts, "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs."

Spiritual Posture in Praise

Beyond physical expressions, the spiritual posture of the heart is paramount in offering true praise to God. The following attitudes are essential for the saints:

1. Humility: True praise requires a humble heart, recognizing God's greatness and our dependence on Him. James 4:10 instructs, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you."

2. Gratitude: A heart of gratitude is central to praise, acknowledging God's goodness and faithfulness. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 urges believers, "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

3. Reverence: Reverence for God is crucial in praise, reflecting awe and respect for His holiness. Hebrews 12:28-29 reminds us, "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

4. Joy: Joy is a natural outflow of a heart that delights in the Lord. Philippians 4:4 encourages, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

5. Faith: Praise is an expression of faith, trusting in God's promises and His sovereign will. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

In summary, the saints are called to engage in praise with both their bodies and their spirits, reflecting a holistic devotion to God. The physical postures of standing, kneeling, lifting hands, dancing, and singing are outward expressions of the inward spiritual attitudes of humility, gratitude, reverence, joy, and faith. Through these, believers honor God and experience the fullness of His presence.1 Chronicles 23:30
And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Beauty for Ashes
... not always, perhaps, with their hearts as they should, but still ... is the finger of
God." Meanwhile, the saints, comforted by your example, praise and bless ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/beauty for ashes.htm

Confession and Absolution
... Come forward, thou greatest among saints, and answer this question ... above reason,
that the Holy Spirit should teach a man ... they join in a psalm of praise, but the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/confession and absolution.htm

The Christian Honoring God by his Dying Behavior.
... 31:7) and in "whose sight the death of his saints is precious ... how unworthy do I appear
that I should be taken ... me ascend, with love in my heart, and praise on my ...
/.../chapter xxx the christian honoring.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... again, saith he, "Serve the Lord with fear." To praise God is a ... our bondage-state,
so long as is meet we should be so held, which to some of the saints is a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Chapter iv
... at deliverance from pain and danger, praise that Jehovah ... That a voice should be
attributed to blood is not ... Le 17:11), and the death of God's saints is precious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

A Discourse
... with the best of the fathers is faint praise indeed. ... light that is so indeed;[8]
but the saints will not ... primitive state, but to show us how we should be while ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Hebrews 2:8,9), "to whom be praise and dominion ... his word and Spirit, by which they
are created saints, and then ... was a kind of necessity why God should make man ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... he not addicted; that is, of such as suited with his ... give advice in this matter,
no buyer should lay out ... as by the mass, by our lady, by saints, beasts, birds ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Evangelical Revival.
... course we are now to follow; only it should be noted ... When it was seasonable to sing
praise to God, they were ... to fast every Friday till 3 PM All Saints' Day was ...
/.../chapter ix the evangelical revival.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... from heaven and shall seek out all the saints. ... only against this kneeling, but every
posture and office ... fasts, moreover, and stations, no prayer should be made ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Why is praising God important? | GotQuestions.org

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Praise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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