Let’s start our discussion with a definition:

Praise - “to commend; to applaud; to express approval or admiration of; to extol in words or in song; to magnify; to glorify.”

Similar v. Identical:

Today, we are so used to combining the two phrases “Praise & Worship” as if they are one in the same.  This is not really the case, Praise and Worship can be two cooperative activities and sometimes look the same but they are two seperate entities with often times two separate manifestations, and they are used in different ways as well. Each act, praise and worship have their own nature and purposes and they both have different dynamics that we can grow in and learn about.  We’ll talk about worship later on.

So, What You’re Saying Is…:

Okay, try and picture it this way: we praise everyday. If you Google “Praise” about 99% of the search results or images that return will be regarding some type of religious site or pictures of what we would consider “praise and worship services”.  But, to help us understand it, let’s take a step back and just think about the word “praise” on a basic, human, realistic level.

Parents praise their kids when they get good grades.

Coaches praise their players when they do well during a game.

Band leaders praise their musicians when they have done well.

You praise your dog or cat when it fetches or rolls over.

For our purposes within the body of Christ, praise is “preoccupied with who God is and what He has done”.  When we praise God, what we are doing is we are essentially applauding the Lord for who he is and for what he has done.  It’s us, you and me outwardly saying to the Lord, “You are you, and you are amazing and the things you did, are doing and will do are incredible!”

Silence Isn’t Golden:

Meditation is not praise.  Psalm 66:8. “Let the sound of his praise be heard.“  Praise is outward and it has to be expressed outwardly in order to be praise.  Think of it within the contexts of our examples.  Until a mother or father tells their kid that they did good or that they are proud of them, they have not really praised them.  They could be thinking it all day, but until they actually open their mouth and say “great job”, it isn’t praise.  (We’ll talk about worship later). Or, if you’ve ever played sports, there exists the general understanding that a pat on the rear means “good game”.  But, as a teammate I could be thinking you did great on that play but you will never be praised until I put my thoughts into action by laying a firm one on your behind.

Praise is characterized by celebration, energy, dancing, singing, shouting, rocking out on instruments, just all out, over-the-top, head-over-heels, exhilaration.  I want to take my delight in Him. Luke 19:40 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, if they keep silent, the rocks will cry out.”.

Let’s not let the rocks cry out in our place!  If there is truth in your heart that He has spoken to you, and if you have been redeemed, then we all have reason to praise.  The air you’re breathing right now as you read this is reason to praise.  Enter his courts with thanksgiving!  Enter his gates with praise!

Sorge, Bob.  Exploring Worship.   Chapter 1: “What Is Praise”.