For most of my adult life, as I considered the four basic kinds of prayer (Asking, Confessing, Thanking and Praising), I’ve been a little nervous about the Praise part. I have feared that I was getting things wrong.
Clearly the Bible talks about praising God and thanking God as two different kinds of prayer. But it seems like many people praise God for the ways he had helped them. Isn’t that just thanking him? And isn’t that self-serving?
For example: “I praise you for your power to protect us from harm”
Isn’t that awfully close to just saying, “Thanks for protecting us from harm”? Is it okay for us to praise that way?
So I did a biblical search for the reasons people praised God. It was illuminating for me and since last week’s Fighter Verse is about Praise, I’m posting these passages (with the reasons people praised God) here. I’ve put a summary at the end.
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Reasons Why People In The Bible Praise God
For saving them from their enemies
who brought me out from my enemies;
you exalted me above those who rose against me;
you delivered me from men of violence.
“For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
2 Samuel 22:49-50
Because their church building is built
And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD,
“For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”
And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Ezra 3:11
Because God has given them a child
And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.
Genesis 29:35
Because God lives forever
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
Daniel 4:34
Because Jesus was innocent of sin
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
Luke 23:47
Because a person’s faith is genuine
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:7
When you are cheerful
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
James 5:13
When a blind man receives sight
And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Luke 18:43
When you see mighty works done.
As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,
Luke 19:37
When God has dealt wondrously with you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
Joel 2:26
Because Gods ways are right and just
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble
Daniel 4:37
When God gives you wisdom and might
To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”
Daniel 2:23
Because he saved the needy person from the evildoer
Sing to the Lord;
praise the Lord!
For he has delivered the life of the needy
from the hand of evildoers.
Jeremiah 20:13
Because he delivered you from your enemies
who delivered me from my enemies;
yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
you rescued me from the man of violence.
For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing to your name.
Psalm 18:48-49
Because he has done wonderful things
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
Isaiah 25:1
Because his steadfast love is better than life
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
Psalm 63:3
Because God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah
Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.
For God will save Zion
and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it;
Psalm 69:34-35
Because God can heal
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
Luke 17:15
A few things to note:
1. This is not the full list. As I went through Psalms, I only got through 105. But it does give a flavor, does it not?
2. May none of us be like the nine lepers in the last passage who didn’t praise God.
3. There are many different true things about God that cause people to praise him. What truths could you be praising him for?
4. The answer is “Yes” (here is my main point) – “Yes”, you can praise God for good things he has done for you. It is abundantly clear that God accepts and encourages this kind of praise.
So praise him for who he is and what he’s done for you. And sometimes both.
In case you’re curious, here is a list of other posts on my blogs which show a whole category of items from the Bible.
Fighter Verse Songs 