throughout the Bible, the commands to "praise the Lord" are too numerous to mention. Angels and the heavenly hosts are commanded to praise the Lord. All inhabitants of the earth are instructed to praise the Lord. We can praise Him with singing, with shouting, with dancing, with our testimonies and musical instruments.
Scriptures References
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth. -Psalms 138:4
And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. -Romans 15:11
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. -Isaiah 12:5
Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. -Psalms 9:11
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. -Psalms 98:4
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. -Psalms 150:4
However there are those times when God did not come through the way we thought He would. Examples: The medical test comes back positive. A child is wayward. The spouse wants a divorce. God seems very far away, and praise is the last thing to bubble up from our hearts. We can not see His goodness, and circumstances scream that He has forgotten us. To praise God in those times seems difficult. But when we bring a "sacrifice of praise" we choose to believe that, even though life is not going as we think it should, God is still good, can be trusted, still in control and can change the situation for our good. Remember the Bible says in Roman 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. When we choose to praise God in spite of the storms, He is honoured, and our faith grows deeper.
Scriptures References
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. -Job13:15
13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
