I will praise the LORD at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.I will boast only in the LORD;
let all who are discouraged take heart.Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34: 1-3 NLT
We bring delight to the heart of God when we consciously cease all other activities for the benefit of exhorting His name. The effect of our praise is felt in heaven, earth and the powers of darkness.
Let the faithful rejoice in this honor.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.Let the praises of God be in their mouths,
and a sharp sword in their hands--to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,to bind their kings with shackles
and their leaders with iron chains,to execute the judgment written against them.
This is the glory of his faithful ones.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 149: 5-9 NLT
Praise becomes a sharp sword against the enemy when we let it come out of our mouths.
The praise we are referring to here is not the silent type. Praise as a sword requires our verbalising our thoughts and appreciation to God.
When we engage in praise we set in motion the power of God to work on our behalf.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
May your glory shine over all the earth.My enemies have set a trap for me.
I am weary from distress.
They have dug a deep pit in my path,Interlude
but they themselves have fallen into it.My heart is confident in you, O God;
no wonder I can sing your praises!Wake up, my soul!
Wake up, O harp and lyre!
I will waken the dawn with my song.I will thank you, Lord, in front of all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
Psalm 57: 5-9 NLT
We can wake our soul from the depths of depression by praising the Lord. There is no earthly medicine that has the same effect. Notice has praise has taken us in a complete cycle. Our praise lifts up God, pulls down the work of the enemy and builds us up.
Let us approach the throne of God with a full understanding of what we are doing. We are bringing praise to the one who has all power might and dominion. We bring praise from a willing heart. Praising God has nothing to do with how our physical body feels.
Praise God even when you do not feel like praising Him.
Why don?t you start right now by reading the following Psalm aloud to yourself and God? Notice how it mingles lifting up God, encouraging the soul, and speaking our deliverance from the enemy all at the same time. You will find this wonderful trend in many of the Psalms. They flow from praising God one moment to lifting us up. Then they suddenly make a turn and strike at the enemy. Flow along with the message of this Psalm and let it lead you into praise. Keep it up and very soon your praise will take on the same trend.
I will praise the LORD at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.I will boast only in the LORD;
let all who are discouraged take heart.Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness;
let us exalt his name together.I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them.Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!Let the LORD's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the LORD.Do any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.The righteous face many troubles,
but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.For the LORD protects them from harm--
not one of their bones[1] will be broken!Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.
Psalm 34 NLT