Lesson Five: Building Process 2, Practicing the Life of Praise

The Bible describes various attitudes/actions that constitute praise and worship as manifested by God’s people through the ages. Let us look at some of them:

Expressions of Praise in the Bible

A. Boasting in the Lord. (Psalm 34:2; 1 Corinthians 1:31)

An expression of this is when we boast about some extraordinary thing that God has done for us or for someone else. The purpose is to give others the opportunity to know our great God, so they may worship Him also. God’s people demonstrate this throughout the Scriptures.

B. Giving public acknowledgement for what God has done or is doing. (Psalms 105:1; 138:1)

This is what we actually do when we share our testimonies in order to publicly express our appreciation to God.

C. Celebrating the remembrance of God’s past deeds. (Psalm 103:1,2)

This was manifested in the celebration of Jewish festivities. We do the same when we celebrate anniversaries or birthdays. We celebrate God’s faithfulness and goodness.

D. Extolling - giving God a high place of honor. (Psalm 145:1)

This is reflected in how one conducts oneself towards God such as in prayer or worship. We extol God when we give reverence to things or places related to God’s presence like places of worship. We extol God in our own hearts when we give Him priority over every other object of devotion.

E. Ascribing to God the honor due Him.

This involves public display of one’s reverence or praise to God for who He is or what He has done so that He alone receives the glory. The action is a combination of extolling and boasting.