Topical Bible: Praise: should be offered in Psalms and Hymns

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Praise, as an expression of reverence and adoration towards God, holds a significant place in Christian worship and daily life. The Bible emphasizes the importance of offering praise through psalms and hymns, which serve as vehicles for believers to express their gratitude, devotion, and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness.

Psalms as a Medium of Praise

The Book of Psalms, often referred to as the hymnbook of ancient Israel, is a collection of songs and prayers that capture the full range of human emotions and experiences in relation to God. The psalms are replete with calls to praise the Lord, highlighting His attributes, mighty works, and faithfulness. Psalm 150:1-2 exhorts, "Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness."

The psalms encourage believers to praise God in all circumstances, whether in times of joy or distress. Psalm 34:1 declares, "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips." This continuous offering of praise reflects a heart that trusts in God's unchanging nature and His providential care.

Hymns as Expressions of Worship

Hymns, like psalms, are an integral part of Christian worship, serving as expressions of theological truths and communal faith. The New Testament encourages the use of hymns in the life of the church. In Ephesians 5:19 , believers are instructed to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord."

Hymns often encapsulate the core doctrines of the Christian faith, celebrating the redemptive work of Christ and the hope of eternal life. Colossians 3:16 further emphasizes the role of hymns in teaching and admonishing one another: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

The Role of Praise in the Believer's Life

Praise through psalms and hymns is not merely a ritualistic practice but a profound expression of a believer's relationship with God. It is an act of obedience, as Scripture commands believers to praise the Lord continually. Hebrews 13:15 states, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name."

Moreover, praise serves to edify the church, uniting believers in a shared declaration of God's glory and grace. It fosters a spirit of unity and encouragement, as the community of faith joins together in worship. The act of praising God through psalms and hymns also serves as a witness to the world, proclaiming the greatness of God and His deeds among the nations.

In summary, the offering of praise through psalms and hymns is a vital aspect of Christian worship and life, deeply rooted in biblical instruction and tradition. It is a means by which believers honor God, edify one another, and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 105:2
Sing to him, sing psalms to him: talk you of all his wondrous works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hymns of Praise and Worship.
... retired in poverty to a home kindly offered him by ... Ia thousand hearts to give, Lord,
they should all be ... each heart and tongue His endless praise proclaim, And ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter i hymns of praise.htm

Liturgical Hymns
... regard the true hymn as a prayer offered in direct ... Among ancient liturgical hymns
the Te deum should be mentioned ... to unite in the spirit of praise as expressed ...
/.../messenger/christian hymns of the first three centuries/iv liturgical hymns.htm

A Practical Discourse on Some Principles of Hymn-Singing
... are also more properly used when offered as inspiring ... singing, the more general and
simple should be the ... fitting themes are those of simple praise, prayer, or ...
/.../a practical discourse on some.htm

Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies.
... and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name ... a Homily or Sermon, explanatory,
it should seem, of the ... his discourse with a doxology in praise of the ...
/.../various/early liturgies/introductory notice to the early.htm

Praise to Thee from Every Mouth on this Day of Thy Birth!
... has life had escaped, that it should come to ... buds they destroyed,"unblemished oblations
he offered, the persecutor ... stone cried out and gave praise, who had a ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvii praise to thee.htm

On the Psalms. I.
... words, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord ... read the books of Kings,
it should come properly ... let the account which we have offered, following the ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... His own prayers had not been offered without thanksgiving ... to make melody unto the
Lord with psalms, and hymns ... unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

Sailors' Hymns.
... Praise to God the Father, Son and Spirit be ... farmer's wife, Mrs. Jane Lowrie Moore,
offered them refreshments ... That the veteran's death-song should be perpetuated ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter x sailors hymns.htm

Contemporary Pagan and Heretical Hymns
... Once more the chart and compass offered by the direct extant ... Thee it is meet that
mortals should invoke, For we ... 51] From this source a hymn of praise is derived ...
/.../v contemporary pagan and heretical.htm

The Anglican Reform
... or pleading of that which was once offered upon the ... was more business to find out
what should be read ... Praise, then, the ascription of honour to GOD, simply and ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/chapter i the anglican reform.htm