Why Should We Praise God? According to Puritan George Swinnock – if God is incomparable we must praise Him for His incomparable excellencies.
The Westminster Confession of Faith tells us that the chief end of man is to glorify God [a] and enjoy Him forever [b]. The texts cited are the following: [a]. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11 and [b]. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4.
We praise and worship God (praise and worship are inextricably linked) because we were created to glorify and enjoy Him. God’s incomparable attributes make Him worthy of our praise. Among God’s attributes are Grace and Mercy without which we would suffer an eternity of damnation. We Christians praise the Triune God for the accomplished work on the Cross and because we are commanded to do so.
According to GotQuestions:
God expects us to worship Him as an expression of reverence and thanksgiving to Him. But God also expects us to be obedient to Him. He wants not only for us to love Him; He wants us to act justly toward each other, to show love and compassion to others. In this way, we present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him. This glorifies God and is our “reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). When we worship with an obedient heart and an open and repentant spirit, God is glorified, Christians are purified, the church is edified, and the lost are evangelized. These are all the elements of true worship.
Swinnock notes that (in our present state and possibly never) we are unable to give God all the glory due to His name. However, we can give Him all that our minds, hearts and affections have to offer. Is that what we try to do on a daily basis? I must confess that I struggle with this. Do you?
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits Psalm 103:1-2
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; bless the LORD, O my soul! Psalm 103:19-22
Maranatha!
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