Praise, reasons for

Scripture treats praise as the natural response of believers to God's person and actions.

Praise is commanded of God's people

Psalm 68:32; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 19:5 See also Psalm 30:4, Psalm 150:6; Isaiah 42:10; Philippians 2:9–11

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord— Selah

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!”

Praise is due to God alone

Deuteronomy 10:21; 1 Chronicles 16:25; Isaiah 42:8 See also Psalm 66:4, Psalm 118:15–21, Psalm 148:13; Revelation 4:11

He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome wonders that your eyes have seen.

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.

Praise is pleasing to God

Psalm 69:30–31 See also Psalm 135:3, Psalm 147:1; Isaiah 43:20–21, Isaiah 61:10–11; Jeremiah 13:11

I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving. And this will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves.

Praise as an act of witness

Psalm 9:11 See also 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 34:1–3; Isaiah 42:12; 2 Corinthians 9:13

Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; proclaim His deeds among the nations.

Praise in response to God's nature

For his greatness

Deuteronomy 32:3; Psalm 150:2 See also 1 Chronicles 16:25; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalm 104:1; Matthew 9:8

For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Ascribe greatness to our God!

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness.

For his righteousness

Psalm 98:8–9 See also Daniel 4:37

Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.

For his faithfulness

Psalm 57:9–10, Psalm 138:2 See also 1 Kings 8:15–20, 1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 89:1

I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples. For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness to the clouds.

I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

For his strength

Psalm 59:16 See also Psalm 28:7, Psalm 81:1

But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Praise in response to God's deeds

For deliverance from enemies

Exodus 18:10; Psalm 18:46–48 See also Genesis 14:20; Judges 16:24; Psalm 43:1–4, Psalm 124:1–7

Jethro declared, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians.

The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock! And may the God of my salvation be exalted— the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me, who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.

For answered prayer

Psalm 28:6 See also Psalm 66:19–20

Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy.

For sending his Son, Jesus Christ

Luke 1:68–69; Ephesians 1:3 See also Luke 2:10–14, Luke 2:25–28, Luke 24:53; 1 Peter 1:3–6

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.