Praying Through Psalms of Praise with Hillsong CreativeSample

After you have completed today’s reading from the Bible, we encourage you to set aside a moment to listen along to the audio guide provided as we pray and allow God to speak to us through His word.

The praise in Psalm 149 is marked by joy. Remember that happiness is a feeling, but joy flows from a choice to embrace the rhythms of God. The psalmist makes it clear that praise is not a somber act but a passion-filled celebration of who God is, an explosion of joy! But does praising God with joy come easily to you? Or does that sound like an impossible proposition? Talk to Him about that now.

Regardless of how you feel, why not make a decision to praise with joy now. Start by thinking of reasons to praise God. Think about who He is and what He has done for you. 

As you think about this, begin to smile. Maybe start with just a subtle grin, lips kept gently together. Slowly but surely let it stretch out across your face into a fully-fledged cheek-aching smile. 

This Psalm talks about praising with singing, dancing, and celebration. Verse 5 says, “Let His faithful people rejoice in this honour and sing for joy on their beds.” This may sound outrageous, but if you’re in your bedroom now, why not do this? It’s likely that no one will see you anyway! Stand on your bed, or wherever you are, and with joy declare praise to God. Sing out or speak out who He is and the good things He has done.

This Psalm concludes with a reminder that praise is a sword in our hands. Worship is warfare. What battles might you be facing in which the praise in your mouth can be a powerful weapon? In the face of those battles, praise Him with joy!

Thank God that as you celebrate and praise Him, He is with you, He’s gone before you, and just as He has been faithful before, He will be faithful again.