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Bible Dictionaries
Praise
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
or One characteristic of the life of God’s people is that they constantly praise him. Praise is an expression of homage, adoration and thanksgiving to God either in prayer or in song, and may be accompanied by various expressions of joy (Exodus 15:1-2; Exodus 15:20-21; Psalms 35:18; Psalms 63:5; Psalms 71:8; Psalms 150; Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 2:13-14; Acts 2:47; Acts 3:8; Colossians 3:16; Revelation 5:9-14; see DANCING; MUSIC; SINGING).
Believers offer praise to God because of who he is and what he has done. Their praise is part of their worship of God, and it will reach its fullest expression in the age to come (Psalms 7:17; Psalms 66:1-4; Psalms 104:1; Psalms 138:1-2; Luke 24:53; Revelation 19:4-5). All living things, and especially God’s people, have a duty to praise God. They offer this praise both individually and collectively (Ezra 3:10-11; Psalms 34:1-3; Psalms 35:18; Psalms 117; Psalms 135:1-2; Psalms 150:6; Joel 2:26; Acts 16:25; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:9). (For fuller discussion on the subject see WORSHIP.)
God’s people should want their lives and actions to bring praise to God. They should not seek praise for themselves (Proverbs 27:2; Matthew 6:2; John 12:43; 2 Corinthians 9:1; Ephesians 1:12; Philippians 1:11; Colossians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 2:6). Yet it is true that, if they live uprightly and behave properly, others will naturally want to give them praise (Proverbs 31:28; Proverbs 31:31; Acts 16:2; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 11:17; 1 Peter 2:14).
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Fleming, Don. Entry for 'Praise'. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/bbd/p/praise.html. 2004.
