Praising God

C.H. Spurgeon

Praising God is singularly beneficial to ourselves. If we had more of it we should be greatly blessed. What would lift us so much above the trials of life, what would help us to bear the burden and heat of the day so well as songs of praise unto the Most High? The soldier marches without weariness when the band is playing inspiring strains; the sailor utters a cheery cry to aid his toil; let us try the animating power of hymns of praise. Nothing would oil the wheels of the chariot of life so well as more of the praising of God. Praise would end murmuring, and nurture contentment. If our mouths were filled with the praises of God, there would be no room for grumbling. Praise would throw a halo of glory around the head of toil and thought. In its sunlight the commonest duties of life would be transfigured. Sanctified by prayer and praise, each duty would be raised into a hallowed worship, akin to that of heaven. It would make us more happy, more holy, and more heavenly, if we would say, I will extol thee, my God, O King."

Praise cannot be a second-class business, for it is due to God, and that in a very high degree. A sense of justice ought to make us praise the Lord; it is the least we can do, and in some sense it is the most that we can do, in return for the multiplied benefits which He bestows upon us. What, no harvest of praise for him who has sent the sunshine of His love and the rain of His grace upon us? What, no revenue of praise for Him who is our gracious Lord and King? He doth not exact from us any servile labor, but simply saith, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me." Praise is good, and pleasant and delightful. Let us rank it among those debts which we would not wish to forget, but are eager to pay at once.