Praise is invaluable in the life of a Christian. God breathed an entire book of Psalms in His Word through the writings of great men like King David and others, which shows us how important our praise is to him. Living life as a victorious Christian and in our true identity requires a lifestyle of praise, which every Christian is called to (1 Peter 2:9)!

So how exactly is praise defined?

Praise can be defined as “fleshly expressions of love and adoration for God.” You might ask, “why is the word fleshly used to define praise?” God’s Word teaches every person is tripartite in being–a person is a spirit (also sometimes called the “heart” of a person, or the truest, most “living” part) that has a soul (mind, will, and emotions) and is housed in a flesh (physical body). Praise originates in our spirit since our spirit wants to always please God. On the other hand, our flesh is like a jacket we wear that, by its own volition, does not please God.

Moreover, our soul will either fall in line with our spirit or our flesh, and we’ve got to train our soul to do what the spirit desires! This is why the psalmist David said, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul” (Psalm 103:1). His spirit was commanding his soul to praise! When we praise God, our spirit commands our soul to do it, but it actually manifests in our flesh. It manifests with our physical body singing, shouting, lifting hands, dancing, running, etc.  When our flesh begins to engage in these acts out of a love and adoration for God, that is the moment where we have begun to truly praise. Until then, we actually aren’t praising God because it’s required that these expressions be fleshly.

Why do we praise?

Most importantly, praise is for God and nobody else. We praise God because He’s simply worthy of it. He is the Alpha and Omega, who was, is, and always will be. He’s the eternal Creator and King of the Universe. Jesus is the name above all names–there is nobody greater. He sacrificed himself on the Cross and rose again so that we might have life everlasting. And he is a good God, and he’s been so good to us. He is worthy, and these reasons alone make him so.

However, although praise is ultimately for God, praise holds benefits for us, as God is so selfless that everything he commands his people to do ultimately is with our best interest in mind. One such benefit is that praise brings spiritual strength to us. David wrote in the Psalms that God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). So, God’s presence is attracted to where he is offered praises from the heart of people that love him. The almighty King of all Kings meets us when we simply offer him up praise from our hearts. What an incredible privilege of our relationship with the Father!

David also wrote that where His presence is, there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). The very presence of God infuses into us supernatural joy that can overcome depression, anxiety, and worry. When we stay connected to His presence through praise, we stay connected to the purest, lasting wellspring of joy, which is superior to anything the world can offer.

Finally, the book of Nehemiah says that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). The supernatural joy we receive in His presence through our praise offers us the strength we need to walk in victory and fulfill our divine destiny and calling. This Grace that God gives by His Spirit is greater than any natural strength we could receive by natural means. As the apostle Paul said, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).

Praise God today!

Let us live as people of praise! Ultimately God is worthy of our praise, and that is enough reason to engage in it. How wonderful that when we praise with our whole heart, he imparts spiritual strength to our spirits, which can cause us to reach greater heights in what God has called us to do. Take some time today and praise the Lord. Then, watch him show up in ways you may never have thought possible!