You may have heard the saying "when praises go up, blessings come down." This idea is found throughout the Bible. When we praise God—through worship, prayer, or thanksgiving—we connect with Him in a special way. The Bible shows us that praise is powerful. It changes us, changes our situation, and invites God's presence into our lives.
The Power of Praise
Praise is more than just saying nice things about God. It's recognizing who He is and what He has done. When we praise God, something amazing happens. Our hearts open up to receive from Him.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
— 1 Peter 2:9
God chose us to praise Him. This isn't a burden—it's our purpose. We were made to worship God and tell others about His goodness. When we do this, we're living out the reason we were created.
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture."
— Psalm 100:1-3
This psalm invites everyone to praise God with joy. Notice the connection—when we remember that God made us and we belong to Him, it's natural to be joyful. Praise reminds us of this beautiful relationship.
Praise Invites God's Presence
One of the most important truths about praise is that God shows up when His people worship Him. The Bible says that God lives in the praises of His people.
"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."
— Psalm 22:3
This verse teaches us that God dwells in our praise. When we worship, we're creating a space for God to be present. It's like we're building a throne for Him with our words and hearts of thanksgiving.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
— Psalm 100:4-5
Notice how we enter God's presence—through thanksgiving and praise. These are the doors that open up heaven's blessings. When we come to God with grateful hearts, we're positioning ourselves to receive from Him.
The Sacrifice of Praise
The Bible calls praise a "sacrifice" (Hebrews 13:15). This might sound strange since we usually think of sacrifices as something hard. But praise can be a sacrifice when we don't feel like praising.
Sometimes life is difficult. We face problems, pain, or disappointment. Choosing to praise God even when things are hard—that's the sacrifice of praise. And this kind of praise is especially powerful because it shows our faith in God even when we can't see what He's doing.
Praise Brings Breakthrough
Throughout the Bible, we see amazing stories of what happened when people praised God in tough situations. Praise doesn't just make us feel better—it can actually change our circumstances.
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose."
— Acts 16:25-26
Paul and Silas were in jail, beaten and in chains. Instead of complaining, they praised God. Their praise brought a miracle—an earthquake that freed them. When praises go up, God can break chains, open doors, and change impossible situations.
"After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.' As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men... who were invading Judah, and they were defeated."
— 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
King Jehoshaphat faced a huge army. His battle plan was unusual—send the worship team out first! When the people praised God, He fought for them. Their enemies were defeated before the army even had to fight. Praise can be our most powerful weapon.
Praise Changes Our Perspective
When we're going through hard times, praise helps us see things differently. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's power. It reminds us that God is bigger than whatever we're facing.
"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion."
— Psalm 103:1-4
David tells himself to praise God and remember everything God has done. When we praise, we remember God's past faithfulness. This gives us hope for the future. We realize that the God who helped us before will help us again.
"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together."
— Psalm 34:1-3
David promises to praise God "at all times"—not just when things are going well. This kind of constant praise keeps our hearts focused on God no matter what's happening around us. And when others see us praising God through difficulties, it encourages them too.
Praise Prepares Us to Receive
When we praise God, we're getting our hearts ready to receive from Him. Praise creates faith. It builds expectation. It opens us up to God's blessings.
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."
— Hebrews 13:15
We should praise God continually—not just once in a while. This doesn't mean we're singing 24/7, but it means having a heart of praise all the time. When praise becomes our lifestyle, we stay connected to God and ready to receive whatever He wants to give us.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Notice it says "in all circumstances," not "for all circumstances." We're not thanking God for bad things, but we're praising Him in the middle of them. This kind of grateful heart keeps us connected to God even when life is hard.
Praise as Spiritual Warfare
Praise isn't just about feeling good or being thankful. It's also a powerful spiritual weapon. When we praise God, we're declaring His victory and His lordship over our situation.
The enemy wants us to focus on our problems and forget about God's power. But when we praise, we're pushing back darkness with light. We're reminding ourselves and the spiritual realm that God is in control. That's why the Bible says to "put on the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair" (Isaiah 61:3).
Practical Ways to Praise
How can we make praise a bigger part of our lives? Here are some practical ideas based on what the Bible teaches:
- Start your day with praise: Before you do anything else, take a few minutes to thank God and worship Him. This sets the tone for your whole day.
- Praise through music: Play worship music in your car, at home, or while you work. Let the words remind you of God's goodness.
- Keep a gratitude list: Write down things you're thankful for. When you're struggling, read this list and let it turn into praise.
- Speak it out: Don't just think grateful thoughts—say them out loud. There's power in speaking praise.
- Praise in community: Join with other believers in worship. Church services, small groups, and even praising with family or friends multiplies the power of praise.
- Praise during struggles: Make a decision to praise God even when you don't feel like it. This is when praise is most powerful.
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."
— Psalm 95:1-2
Praise can be loud and joyful! Don't be afraid to really worship God with energy and enthusiasm. He loves when His children celebrate Him with all their hearts.
The Results of Praise
What happens when we make praise a regular part of our lives? The Bible shows us many wonderful results:
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
— Psalm 28:7
Notice the connection—trust leads to help, help leads to joy, and joy leads to more praise. It's a beautiful cycle. When we praise God, it strengthens our trust in Him, and this trust brings His help into our situation.
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
— Isaiah 55:12
This beautiful picture shows what happens when God's people praise Him. Joy and peace follow. Even creation joins in the celebration. When praises go up, life changes—inside and out.
Conclusion
The Bible is clear: praise is powerful. When praises go up, God moves. He shows up in our situations. He brings breakthrough. He changes our hearts and our circumstances.
Praise isn't just something we do because we're supposed to. It's a gift God gave us so we could connect with Him. It's a weapon we can use in spiritual battles. It's a key that unlocks heaven's blessings. And it's the natural response of a heart that recognizes how good God is.
The amazing thing is that praise helps us as much as it honors God. When we worship, we're strengthened. When we give thanks, we're encouraged. When we lift up God's name, our own spirits are lifted too.
So make praise a part of your daily life. Don't wait until everything is perfect—praise God right where you are. Let your praises go up, and watch as God's blessings, presence, and power come down into your life. As the psalmist says, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Psalm 150:6). That includes you!