We are commanded to praise God (Ps 150). We praise him for what he does for us but more especially, for who he is: God above all gods, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, mighty God and our creator. His love never fails and his mercy endures forever.

If you look at the Greek and Hebrew words for praise, we are told to praise him with our voices (Ps 149) and uplifted hands (Ps 63:4), to rejoice with exuberance and to make a very loud noise (Ezra 3:11). In Psalm 150 we read that: "everything that hath breath" should praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6; KJV). We should praise God using all kinds of musical instruments and also with the dance (Ps 149). God says he takes pleasure in his people of praise (Ps 149).

Our praise should perhaps take a cue from God's expression of joy over us as given in Zephaniah 3:17. Here it says he rejoices over us with joy, love and singing; He dances and spins for joy with an indescribable intensity. Praise comes from the heart (John 4:23). We should praise God at all times and in all circumstances (Ps 34:1). There is power in praise because God is enthroned in the praises of his people (Ps 22:3). There is power to break every bondage that holds us, power to lift us up and open doors to set us free (Acts 16:25-26).

If you are down today, then praise God and he will lift you up.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.