Topical Bible: Praise: should be offered with Uprightness of Heart

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Praise, as an expression of reverence and adoration towards God, is a central theme throughout the Bible. It is not merely an outward act but is deeply rooted in the condition of the heart. The Scriptures emphasize that praise should be offered with uprightness of heart, reflecting sincerity, integrity, and a genuine devotion to God.

Biblical Foundation

The call to praise God with an upright heart is woven throughout the biblical narrative. In Psalm 111:1 , the psalmist declares, "Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly." This verse highlights the importance of wholehearted praise, suggesting that true worship arises from a heart aligned with God's righteousness.

Similarly, Psalm 119:7 states, "I will praise You with an upright heart when I learn Your righteous judgments." Here, the psalmist connects the act of praise with the understanding and application of God's righteous decrees, indicating that uprightness is cultivated through engagement with God's Word.

Characteristics of Upright Praise

1. Sincerity: Genuine praise is marked by sincerity, free from hypocrisy or pretense. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their outward displays of piety that lacked true devotion (Matthew 15:8-9). True praise flows from a heart that is honest before God.

2. Integrity: Uprightness involves living a life consistent with God's commands. Proverbs 11:20 states, "The LORD detests those of crooked heart, but He delights in those whose ways are blameless." Praise that pleases God is offered by those who strive to live in accordance with His will.

3. Humility: An upright heart acknowledges its dependence on God. Psalm 51:17 reminds us, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Humility before God is essential for authentic praise.

4. Joyfulness: While uprightness involves seriousness about sin and righteousness, it also encompasses joy in the Lord. Psalm 32:11 encourages, "Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart." Joyful praise is a natural response to God's goodness and faithfulness.

Examples of Upright Praise

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who praised God with upright hearts. King David, despite his flaws, is often highlighted for his sincere worship. In 1 Chronicles 29:17 , David acknowledges, "I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart." His example demonstrates a heart fully devoted to God, even amidst personal failures.

Another example is found in the life of Daniel, who maintained his integrity and devotion to God despite living in a foreign land. Daniel 6:10 records his practice of praying and giving thanks to God three times a day, illustrating a consistent life of praise rooted in uprightness.

Conclusion

The biblical call to offer praise with an upright heart is a reminder that God desires worship that is authentic and rooted in a life of integrity. As believers seek to honor God, they are encouraged to cultivate hearts that are sincere, humble, and aligned with His righteous standards.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:7
I will praise you with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned your righteous judgments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Psalm LI.
... say, "In me are, O God, Thy vows, which I will render of praise to Thee ... he despiseth
bull, he-goat, ram: now is not the time that these should be offered. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm li.htm

Covenant Duties.
... I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it ... time; and prayer to God: for
this, should all be ... in solemn individual and public vows, be offered to God. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Epistle Xl. To Mauricius Augustus.
... in writing against bishops had been offered to the ... wonder then if a Christian emperor
should condescend to ... perhaps He will blame what you praise, and praise ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xl to mauricius augustus.htm

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... Are they not pardoned because satisfaction has been offered for sin by Christ ... a wonder
if God should vow that the devils should yet sing his praise; but I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
... saints need still to have this prayer offered for them ... have loved much, to God's
grace be the praise; but we ... abiding in Christ to the full, we should abide in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/our lords prayer for his.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... clean by the priest, or that prayers were offered on the ... of the altar, and that the
rest should be poured ... holder of that office is mentioned with praise in the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... further, amid all the various worships offered to his ... against the inhabitants thereof,
that they should become a ... whole ritual is the very praise bestowed on ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Article iii: of Christ.
... righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, ie, the remission of sins is
freely offered. ... [And why should Paul so highly extol and praise grace?] For ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 2 article iii of.htm

The Old, Old Story
... O God: thy law is my delight;" and having offered both an ... Yet this one thing I remember
to the praise of God's ... If they should take a leaf out of some divinity ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the old old story.htm

The Excellencies of the Saints' Rest.
... song, with David in his psalms of praise, and with ... Not that we should cast off hearing,
reading, and conference ... I know, if it were offered to thy choice, thou ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iii the excellencies of.htm