Examples in Scripture of praising God abound. Moses praised God (Exodus 15:1,2), and he also commanded the people of Israel to offer praise to the Lord (Deuteronomy 10:17-21). David praised God (II Samuel 22:1-4; I Chronicles 16:25-27), and he also wrote many of the 160 examples of praise given God in the book of Psalms. The prophet Isaiah spoke of praising God (Isaiah 25:1) as did King Hezekiah (II Chronicles 29:30). In the New Testament the multitudes praised Jesus, the Son of God for His miracles (Luke 19:37). In addition, the apostles Paul and Peter also spoke of praise due God as will be soon noted.
But why? Why should we praise God today as others did in Scripture? The Bible tells us we should praise God because He is worthy to be praised! And although there are many reasons why God is worthy to be praised, let the following three reasons suffice as proof of His worthiness. He is worthy to be praised first of all because He has provided us with our salvation (Ephesians 1:3-7). Second, God is worthy to be praised because we have the opportunity because of Him to be filled with the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:9-11). And third, God is worthy to be praised because He has made us as His children a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people (I Peter 2:9).
Thus, because God is worthy to be praised, King Hezekiah was right when he said we should praise God on earth while we have the opportunity (Isaiah 38:18,19). Truly then, Hebrews (13:15) ought to be practiced every day of our lives. This verse says, “Therefore by Him (Christ) let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
