Praise Continually in Our Mouths

Praising and thanking God is the chief sacrifice we offer to him – “the fruit of our lips giving praise unto his name.” Praise gives God what is rightly his, for all good comes from him. Praise is the purpose of our existence and of our new existence in Christ (1 Pet. 2:9). Praise is a neglected duty and joy. Like Martha, we are troubled by many things, and forget the main things. Earthly joys rouse our enthusiasm, but God’s love and presence barely raise our pulse.

                David said, “Let your praise continually be in my mouth.” Intentionality is the key to constant praise. If we find in older age, for example, that we need a tank of oxygen to breathe better, we take it with us. It is the same with praise. We live better by praising and are more joyful. Therefore, we must take praise with us.

                Renewed thinking (Eph. 4:23; Rom. 12:1) is also vital to praise. Right thoughts turn to God continually in praise – for help in work and mothering; for safety and wisdom in difficulty; for provision in need; for God’s peace to rule us in adversity. How can we praise God if harps of joy hang upon trees of complaining? Or of thoughtlessness? Or of self-centered thinking? Empty heads lead to empty hearts, and from there to mute mouths. Worldly heads and worldly hearts never kindle a praising heart.

                Praising and thanking God is the single best remedy and replacement for complaining and grumbling. A praising spirit draws him near in loving communion; a complaining spirit provokes and drives him away. Complaining is Jacob as he left Canaan on the run from Esau – Lord, if you will do all these things for me, then you will be my God. When he returned home, he sang a different tune: “I am unworthy of the least of your blessings” (Gen. 32:10). His troubles had taught him to praise God in everything, for he deserved nothing good.

                This is the way we learn to living praising and thanking. Adjust our expectations to reality. We are sinners and deserve nothing good from the Lord. One gift from him, one loving glance, should ignite a praising heart for a thousand years. He is holy, but we are filthy. In grace, he does us constant good, and especially crucifying his beloved Son to forgive our sins. We could do nothing to redeem our souls. He did everything for us. His gift is indescribable. His praise should be continually in our mouths.

                To begin praising and thanking the Lord, awaken each day and think of what Christ Jesus has done for you. Think how little you deserve anything from him except the cat of nine tails that beat him, the hell he endured, the curse he bore for you. Think well that you owe your life to him, and that he freely gave his life for you. For his love, return your loving praise!

He never holds his sacrifice over our heads either. He is not a peevish, selfish Savior, always reminding us of how bad we are. He is always telling us how loved and how forgiven we are in Him. As exalted King, he continues to wash our feet with a thousand daily kindnesses. Should we not praise him constantly? Talk of him in our families? If this is uncomfortable, it is likely due to that our hearts are on worldly life support systems rather than Christ life support. Set your heart on Jesus, loving him, wondering at him, looking unto him. Praise follows in his love.

                It helps us praise to keep lists, or a diary, if you prefer, of what God has done for you. Keep track of the food he gives, the health he restores, the light bills he pays. Remember his answers to prayer, the sins he forgives, and the joys he gives. These are the records we are most to keep and treasure – of his mercy. “Forget not all his benefits.”

Every believer has a large, growing book of God’s benefits. Too few of us give him the return of praise. This is all the return he wants, for he dwells in our praises. When we make the return of praise, we find our fullness of joy in the exchange, for in his presence is fullness of joy. Let us sing and rejoice.