Posted August 22, 2025

What do you do in a place, in a space, where others around you have an opinion about your worship, your praise? When you feel the “shade” - you’re doing too much, it doesn’t take all that. The very idea that they don’t look at you with surprise but in judgment lets you know they understand what’s happening, they see that Praise is what you do, not holding back. But, they can, too! They need look no further than the Book of Psalms to find the Praises of others in ancient times. King David, who wrote more than half of the Psalms, was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22); the shepherd boy who meditated continuously on God in song and praise. David was not perfect, but David was a Praiser. David sinned and then plotted to cover his sin, but he also gave thanks in songs and poems inspired by a heart and attitude and posture of Praise. God was with him through wars and attempts on his very life. Praise is what he did! King David is from the Tribe of Judah, "Yehudah", which means Praise. (www.bibledictionarytoday.com). And from this root, this lineage, we also received Jesus Christ, the promised Savior and Redeemer. 

The Power of Praise is demonstrated throughout the Bible. One very familiar story is found in 2 chronicles 20:21. Jehoshaphat is King of Judah. He receives news that they will be attacked. After seeking the Lord for guidance, he appoints singers - the praise team - to go before the army, singing and thanking God for His faithfulness. Right away, they see their enemies turn against each other, destroying themselves. The Power of Praise.

Pastor Joseph Prince lifts passages from Chapter 60 of the Book of Isaiah teaching about the role, position, expectation and benefits of Praise. In Chapter 59, Isaiah’s prophetic message from God to the Israelites is, “Your iniquities have separated you from God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear (v. 2)”. [NIV]. Isaiah gives them another message, this one of hope and instruction, in Chapter 60. In response to the despair and darkness they have suffered, God now says to them, “Arise, for that Light has come…for in my Wrath I struck you down…(v. 1, 10)” [NRSV]. Here, centuries before the promised Messiah appears, God also has Isaiah to tell the people, “I, the Lord, am your Saviour, and your Redeemer (v. 16)” [NRSV], after saying “your gates shall always be open; day and night they shall not be shut (v.11)”. What Is this "gate"?

In these prophecies in Isaiah 60, we see God announcing a Savior, a Redeemer, assuring protection; and a commandment to give him Praise. Pastor Prince points out how the two declarations in verses 11 and 16 come together in verse 18. God says, “Salvation ("I") will surround you like city walls…Praise will be on the lips of all who enter here [NLT], you shall call your gates Praise (v.18)” [NRSV]. The "gate" is your, Pastor Prince concludes in this teaching. Praise is your gateway. We should keep our mouth open with the Praises of the Lord, and He will cause us to triumph. Don’t shut your gates! Find time, make time to say Thank You. If your gate is shut, He will go to another gate that is open. Don’t let a blessing pass you by!

"Bless the Lord at all times..." (Psalm 34:1); "Offer the sacrifice of Praise continually, that is, the fruit of our lips...." (Hebrews 13:15)