What Praising God Means in the Bible
In Scripture, praise is more than a pleasant feeling. It is a response to who God is and what he has done. The Psalms use many words for it: to bless, to thank, to extol, to magnify, to sing. These words overlap, and together they describe people acknowledging God’s greatness out loud and often together.
Praise and thanksgiving are closely related. Thanksgiving usually looks back at something God has given or done. Praise often looks at God’s character as well, such as his goodness, power, and faithfulness. Many passages combine the two, and you will see that in the verses below.
Psalms That Call Everything to Praise
The Psalms are the main place to begin. A few well-known examples:
- Psalm 150:6. The last verse of the Psalter reads, in the KJV, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.” The whole psalm lists places and instruments of praise, from the sanctuary to the cymbals.
- Psalm 100:4. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise” (KJV). The psalm is a call to gather and give thanks.
- Psalm 34:1. David writes that he will bless the LORD “at all times.” The psalm is traditionally linked to a time of danger in David’s life, which shows that praise is not limited to easy days.
- Psalm 106:1 and Psalm 107:1. Both open with a call to give thanks because the LORD is good and his steadfast love endures.
- Psalms 146 to 150. These five psalms each begin and end with “Praise the LORD” (Hallelujah) and make a good block to read in one sitting.
Verses That Say Why God Is Worth Praising
A common question is which verse says that God is wonderful. The Bible does not give one single line, but several passages come close:
- Psalm 139:14 speaks of being “fearfully and wonderfully made” and praises God for it.
- Psalm 145:3 says the LORD is great and greatly to be praised, and that his greatness is beyond searching out.
- Psalm 136 repeats “his mercy endureth for ever” after each statement about what God has done.
- Isaiah 25:1 praises God for “wonderful” things, meaning his faithful plans.
These verses show a pattern: praise is usually tied to a reason. When you read a psalm of praise, look for the “because” in the text.
Praise in the New Testament
The New Testament carries the same theme forward.
- Luke 1:46-55 records Mary’s song, often called the Magnificat, which magnifies the Lord.
- Ephesians 1:3-14 is one long sentence of blessing and praise for what God has done in Christ.
- Hebrews 13:15 speaks of offering a “sacrifice of praise” continually, with lips that confess his name.
- 1 Peter 2:9 describes believers as called to declare God’s praises.
- Revelation 5:11-14 pictures a great crowd giving praise to the Lamb.
For more on how Scripture links praise with song, see our study of Bible verses about singing.
How to Praise God With Words
Scripture models several simple ways to praise with words:
- Speak his character back to him. Many psalms name attributes such as good, faithful, righteous, or merciful.
- Tell what he has done. Psalm 107 asks the redeemed to say so, and the Psalms often retell Israel’s history as praise.
- Use the words of Scripture. Reading a psalm aloud as a prayer is an old practice in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
- Praise with others. Psalm 34:3 invites, “magnify the LORD with me.” Praise in the Bible is often communal.
- Add action. Hebrews 13:15-16 links praise with doing good and sharing.
You do not need elaborate language. Several psalms are short and plain.
Praising God When Life Is Hard
Some psalms praise God in the middle of trouble. Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 move between sorrow and hope. Habakkuk 3:17-18 describes choosing to rejoice in the LORD even when crops and herds fail (see also KJV Bible verses about strength in hard times). Paul and Silas, according to Acts 16:25, were praying and singing hymns in prison.
None of this means a believer must pretend to feel happy. Many of the Psalms of lament are honest about pain and still end by turning toward God. Different traditions encourage praise in suffering in different ways, and pastoral care for someone who is grieving should be gentle. If you are in a hard season, a trusted pastor or counselor can help.
What about disability?
Some readers search for what the Bible says about disability alongside praise. The Bible includes people with physical limitations, and Jesus is shown healing and welcoming many. In John 9, Jesus’ disciples ask whose sin caused a man’s blindness, and Jesus does not accept that framing. Christians read this passage in different ways, so it is best studied slowly and with care, rather than used as a quick answer for someone living with disability.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving Built From Scripture
Here is a short prayer in your own words that draws on several verses. You can adapt it:
Lord, I will bless you at all times (Psalm 34:1). You are good, and your steadfast love endures (Psalm 107:1). I enter your presence with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4). Thank you for the gifts of this day. Let everything in me that has breath praise you (Psalm 150:6). Amen.
Using These Verses in Personal or Group Study
For personal study, read one psalm of praise each day for a week and write down the reasons the writer gives for praise. For a group, ask:
- What reason for praise in this passage is easiest for you to say, and which is hardest?
- How is praise different from thanksgiving in this psalm?
- What does the passage suggest about praising together rather than alone?
Related topics in this series include exaltation in the Bible, Bible verses about passion for God, and Jesus glorified in Scripture.
Questions People Ask
How can I praise God with words? Use the patterns above: name his character, recall what he has done, and pray the Psalms. Short and sincere is fine.
Is praise only for good times? The Bible includes praise in difficult times, but it also includes honest lament. Both appear in Scripture.
Which translation should I use? The KJV and the World English Bible (WEB) are in the public domain. Other translations may be easier to read, and comparing a few can help.