Who do you sing the praises of? How do you praise? Does your praise include raising your hands, raising your voice, and your spirit soaring? Or is your praise more subtle, just a lifting of your spirit while being subdued on the outside? Does your praise include tears?
We all praise in different ways, whether we are praising our children or praising God. We see some lifting their hands in praise while singing or while praying. We hear some sing out with a loud voice while others are quieter. Regardless of how we praise, God loves it.
Praising God is what we were made for. Many people search their entire lives for their purpose. Our purpose is to praise God. It is really that simple. We make it far more complicated than it needs to be. We get wrapped around our purpose being a profession or a relationship or our giving. Though those are important, they are not our purpose.
The Psalmist tells us to sing a new song. Have you ever started singing words of praise that came to you? Singing, even if only in private, is a great way to praise God. It is a great way to fulfill our purpose. Though we can praise God in prayer, when we sing, our emotions and heart are revealed more powerfully.
The Psalmist also says our praise is to happen in the assembly of the faithful. That assembly is when we come together in worship. It is when we come together, lifting our voices in praise that our praise is multiplied. We become greater than the assembled parts and our praise is multiplied in it. So, praise God together in the assembly.
I pray we all choose to praise God. I pray we sing a new song, if only within our hearts. I pray each one of us will be part of the assembly to worship God together with one multiplied voice. Praise God. Sing a new song. Join in the assembly. Multiply your praise with others.
Psalm 149:1
Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Marty Pressey 