What is the most common sound in the world? If you try listening now, you will notice there is more than silence. You may hear traffic noise, birds calling, or conversations around you. However, there is a sound that drowns out all others. Do you hear it? It’s the sound of praise to God.
The Bible declares that day after day, the whole universe proclaims the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4). All creatures in the heavenly realms and on earth rejoice and continually ascribe glory to God (Psalm 96). There are futile attempts to suppress this sound. The Pharisees tried to silence the jubilant praises of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem, which we remember every Palm Sunday. But Jesus tells them, “You can’t stop the rocks from crying out” (Luke 19:40). Therefore, the Bible frequently commands us to join our voices to this universal, unstoppable thundering chorus. Through praise, our eyes are lifted to see God’s majesty, glory, and power, reminding us that he alone is God.
Praise is more than just a duty; it fills us with joy. Whenever we praise God, we relish His goodness, His benefits, and His love for us in Christ Jesus. As Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name”. C.S. Lewis explains, “Therefore praise not merely expresses but completes enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation… In commanding us to glorify him, God is inviting to enjoy him.”
Through praise, our eyes are lifted to see God's majesty
On Sundays, it’s often easier to praise God because we are immersed in the corporate singing, prayers and reading of God’s word. On other days, however, we can become less attuned to praising God, distracted by the voices and demands of the world, and overwhelmed by suffering. Yet, there are many small things we can do to live daily in praise of God:
Give thanks. Recounting God’s blessing in our prayers shifts our hearts toward contentment and trust. Talking with others about how God has been good proclaims the excellencies of him (1 Peter 2:9) .
Daily Bible reading. The Bible offers countless reasons to praise God.
Sing in suffering. Like Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25), singing songs rich in God’s truth does not deny our pain, but teaches us to hold together both discomfort and trust.
Spend time in nature. Sometimes, we need the rest of creation to remind us of God’s greatness and our finitude, and his sovereign rule and care.
As you go about your day, let praise rise naturally from your heart, in joy and in trial, in plenty and in need. Return to the Lord often, until his praise becomes your constant song. “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psalm 34:1).
