Topical Bible: Praise: Saints should Show Forth

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Praise is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, reflecting the believer's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, goodness, and mercy. The act of praising God is not only a response to His divine attributes and works but also a commandment and privilege for the saints. Throughout Scripture, the call for the saints to show forth praise is evident, emphasizing the importance of this spiritual discipline.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible is replete with exhortations for the saints to engage in praise. In the Psalms, which serve as a rich repository of praise, believers are repeatedly encouraged to lift their voices in adoration. Psalm 150:6 declares, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Hallelujah!" This verse encapsulates the universal call to praise, extending to all creation, but with a particular emphasis on those who have experienced God's redemptive work.

Expressions of Praise

Praise can be expressed in various forms, including singing, speaking, and living a life that reflects God's glory. Ephesians 5:19-20 instructs believers to "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." This passage highlights the communal and personal dimensions of praise, encouraging saints to engage in both corporate worship and individual devotion.

Purpose of Praise

The purpose of praise is multifaceted. It serves to glorify God, edify the believer, and testify to the world of God's greatness. 1 Peter 2:9 states, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." Here, the apostle Peter underscores the identity and mission of the saints as those who are called to declare God's praises, reflecting their transformation and calling.

Praise in Adversity

The call to praise is not limited to times of prosperity and joy but extends to moments of trial and suffering. The apostle Paul and Silas exemplify this in Acts 16:25 , where, despite being imprisoned, they "were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." This account demonstrates the power of praise to transcend circumstances, offering a witness to others and bringing about divine intervention.

Praise as a Lifestyle

For the saints, praise is not merely an occasional activity but a lifestyle. Hebrews 13:15 exhorts, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name." This continuous offering of praise is a reflection of a heart transformed by the gospel, living in constant recognition of God's presence and work.

Conclusion

The call for saints to show forth praise is a central theme in Scripture, underscoring the believer's response to God's majesty and grace. Through praise, the saints fulfill their purpose, strengthen their faith, and bear witness to the world of the living God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 43:21
This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... what should we do if our Lord should not return? ... for the celebration of his nativity,
must praise God; with what shoutings will angels and saints at that ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ii the great preparatives.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... to be adored by all his saints, and then ... with every prayer and supplication we should
mingle thanksgiving ... petition may be agonizing, to mingle exquisite praise. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

Blessedness and Praise
... hearts and stayed the spirits of the saints of old ... and sighs and tears which sometimes
choke our praise. ... Thy loving-kindness.' But, like him, we should even in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/blessedness and praise.htm

God's Works of Providence
... subject of the meditation and admiration of saints in all ... the most sufficient of
them all should evanish, as ... myself, they shall show forth my praise," Isaiah 43 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xx gods works of.htm

Of the New Spiritual Body into which the Flesh of the Saints Shall ...
... Body into Which the Flesh of the Saints Shall Be ... it is fit that the joyfulness of
our hope should utter itself, and so show forth God's praise, and since ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 of the new spiritual.htm

How we Should at all Times Praise God.
... Lord, one thing I should also like to know respecting Thy ... times a thousand spirits
who serve Thee praise Thee to ... me all the holy desires of the saints, and that ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xxv how we should.htm

Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... to be said in his praise, nor because ... in words the difficulty which those saints
then encountered ... resurrection that the slain Christ should show forth so great ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on s ignatius and.htm

2 Cor. Iv. 1, 2
... from mercy only and loving-kindness, should show forth such labors ... For what they
considered to be praise, that he ... they had the character of saints and approved ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily viii 2 cor iv.htm

The Conclusion Sets Forth what Appears to be Our Lord's Principal ...
... Francis [448] to draw souls to praise the Almighty ... would be a strange thing to fancy
we should gain these ... than that by which Jesus and all His saints have gone ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iv the conclusion sets.htm

Of Creation
... It should make Christians ashamed, that both heathens, who ... scripture how the strain
of the saints' affections and ... for,"to show forth his praise, to gather ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xviii of creation.htm