Praise Basics: Where, Why, How & Who We Should Praise

By Harold Vaughan

Praise plays a dominant role throughout the entire Bible. In the book of Psalms alone, the word “praise” appears 214 times. The familiar refrain “Praise ye the Lord” is repeated 35 times in Scripture. This repetitive emphasis tells us something important—praise is not a side note in the life of faith; it is central.

David, Israel’s greatest hymn writer, didn’t just speak about praise—he lived it. “Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments,” he wrote in Psalm 119:164. Imagine that—seven times every single day, David lifted his heart and voice to God in praise. This wasn’t a weekly ritual or an occasional burst of devotion. It was a lifestyle. David didn’t just write about praise—he practiced it. He mastered it. And the good news? We can too.

Though David wrote many of the Psalms, others also contributed to this inspired hymnbook of Israel. Psalm 150, which closes the Psalter, doesn’t name its author. Some scholars suggest it functions as a kind of grand finale—a musical doxology that captures the heartbeat of the entire book. Regardless of who penned it, Psalm 150 offers a compelling picture of what praise looks like—where it happens, why it matters, how it’s expressed and who is called to participate.

Where Should We Praise?

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power (Psalm 150:1).”

The word praise in Hebrew carries rich meaning. It can be translated “to shine, to boast, to rave, or to celebrate.” The psalmist begins by identifying two specific locations where praise is appropriate: the sanctuary and the firmament (heavens).

The sanctuary refers to a sacred, holy place. Under the Old Covenant, Israel gathered at the Tabernacle and later at the Temple to worship corporately. In the New Testament era, believers met publicly—in homes, synagogues and other open settings. Praise has always been a corporate activity. God’s people come together to collectively lift their voices in honor of His name.

But the text also instructs us to praise God in “the firmament of his power”—that is, the open heavens.

Praise is not limited to stained-glass sanctuaries or worship centers. It belongs under blue skies and starlit nights.

I remember walking outside on a clear day, sunlight pouring down, and realizing afresh that the heavens above me were an appropriate platform for praise. Whether inside the church or outside in creation, God is worthy to be worshipped.

Praise has both a corporate and individual application. It takes place in the closet as well as the congregation. The psalms were sung both personally and communally. True corporate worship always begins at the individual level. Paul describes one effect of the Holy Spirit’s fullness as this: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).” Wherever we are—whether in a sanctuary or under the firmament—we are called to praise.

Why Should We Praise?

“Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness (Psalm 150:2).” 

This verse offers us two primary reasons to lift our voices in praise. First, we praise God for what He does—His mighty acts. His creative power defies imagination. The wonders of His works are unsearchable. Who can adequately describe His deeds, especially the mercy and power displayed at Calvary? The cross, the resurrection, the outpouring of the Spirit—these are mighty acts beyond comprehension.

Think, too, of the ways God has intervened in human history through revivals and awakenings. These mighty movements of His Spirit have reshaped nations and revived churches. Without such divine interruptions, many of us would not have come to faith. We would be wandering in darkness. But God stepped in. He moved, He revived, He restored. Praise Him!

Second, we praise God for who He is—His excellent greatness. His immensity is beyond human measure. His holiness is unutterable. His presence is overwhelming. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere at once). These “omni” attributes proclaim His unparalleled majesty. The living God, sovereign over all creation, is more than deserving of our continual praise.

How Should We Praise?

“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp…(Psalm 150:3–5).”

The psalmist now turns our attention to the manner and means of praise. The list of instruments is striking: trumpet, psaltery, harp, tambourine, stringed instruments, organ, cymbals—both loud and high-sounding. What’s clear is that God desires musical praise, and He enjoys variety.

This is not a somber funeral dirge. These instruments were used in celebratory, joyful occasions. The trumpet is blasting, the cymbals are clashing and the rhythm is full of life.

Biblical praise is not dry or dull—it’s exuberant and expressive.

Sometimes our personal preferences or cultural backgrounds cause us to minimize the role of music in worship. But Psalm 150 encourages us to embrace it wholeheartedly. Even those of us without musical skill are not excluded. Praise is not limited to the talented. It’s about the heart, not the performance.

We also notice that praise in Scripture includes more than music—it includes physical expression. “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph (Psalm 47:1).” The word “shout” implies a volume that figuratively splits the ears. It speaks of victory and joy. The psalm even mentions dance. David, overcome with joy, danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). He wasn’t putting on a show—he was expressing his heart.

Scriptural praise is not about exhibitionism. It’s not a display of talent or emotion for its own sake. Rather, it’s the outward overflow of inward esteem for God. Praise that starts in the prayer closet naturally expresses itself in public worship. “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright (Psalm 33:1).”  Lively praise honors God—and it always begins in the heart.

Who Should Engage in Praise?

“Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD (Psalm 150:6).”

This is the final crescendo of Psalm 150—a universal call to all living beings. The qualification for praising God is simple: breath. Put your hand to your mouth. Feel the air? If you’re breathing, then you’re called to praise.

Praise is not optional for the believer. It is the right response to God’s greatness.

Every breath is an opportunity to honor the One who gave it.

Hebrews 13:15 affirms this ongoing call: “Therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Christ died to redeem us, and because of that great act of love, we now live to glorify Him. Praise is the continual offering we bring to a worthy King.

Psalm 150 ends as it began—with a clear and simple instruction: “Praise ye the LORD!”

Let us echo that command.

• Praise Him in the sanctuary.
• Praise Him under the sky.
• Praise Him for what He’s done, and for who He is.
• Praise Him with instruments, with your voice, with your whole being, and with joy.
• Praise Him privately and publicly.
• If you have breath, use it to praise the Lord.

This excerpt was taken from chapter six of Harold’s book “ABLAZE! The 21-Day Praise Challenge.“

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