“Praise is a duty that affects the whole soul.”

Thinking Hard about God

“Praise is a duty that affects the whole soul.”

Stephen Charnock (1628-1680)
Discourses Upon the Existence and Attributes of God

Praising God changes us. Praise ended the depression of the psalmist in psalm 73. God is enthroned on the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3). Praise befits the righteous (Psalm 33:1). Asaph had his perspective on the confusions of life restored when he went into the temple to worship the living God (Psalm 73:16-17). And as Psalm 150 sums up the psalter, praise for our God is suitable at all times, places, with every instrument imaginable, by everything and person in the universe. Here’s some help. Take a pause and give Him your praise.

If our heart doesn’t recognize it, that is our problem. It speaks to our dullness of heart not to the magnificence of our God. It is like the people of Paris, who live near the Louvre Museum of Art but have never stopped to peer inside at the wonders of displayed there. So we, fascinated by all the screens and distractions of modern life, never stop to look and contemplate the greatness of our God. We are the poorer for it.