There are many lessons on singing and praises, both written and audio, in our lesson archives. The text explores music from creation through the Temple, early church, and the “New Song” to be sung in eternity. However, praise is not limited to singing. The sounds produced by nature, inherent in the universe’s objects, are heard and understood by their creator. The sound produced by people is in two forms. One form is inherent in the individual, and the second is from inventions and creations of the people. God gave people a voice to communicate by talking, singing, humming, crying, moaning, etc. People make various instruments, some to communicate with and others to make sounds to please their ears. A problem arises when people think that what pleases them also pleases God. God wants to hear the voices He created in people.
The first recorded song in the Bible is Exodus chapter 15. It may be the song of Moses referred to in Revelation 15:3, and it is a celebration of Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage and salvation from Pharaoh’s army. Israel sang praises to God, expressing their love, adoration, and thankfulness. Through singing, they displayed their devotion for the love God gave to them and their gratitude for God’s protection as He judged Egypt.
There may have been songs of praise before Moses’ day, but none were mentioned in the Bible. About 450 years before the exodus, Jacob’s wife Leah said, “I will praise the LORD” (Genesis 29:35) when her son Judah was born, but how she offered praise is not mentioned. Other forms of offerings were also an expression of praise to God. Another example is when the people entered the promised land and planted trees for food, they were forbidden to eat the fruit for three years. In the fourth year, the fruit was “An offering of praise to the LORD” (Leviticus 19:24). Finally, in the fifth year, they were to eat the fruit, except for First Fruits’ tithe offering. These examples show that not all praises use the singing voice.
We also see that confession of sin is an offering of praise. After the defeat at Ai, Joshua confronted Achan and said to him, “My son, I implore you, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me” (Joshua 7:19). Confessing the truth to the omnipresent and omniscient God is showing honor and giving praises that he expects. Later, David referred to all the provisions for building the Temple as thanks and praise to God. “Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You” (1 Chronicles 29:13-14). David noted that all things are God’s, and the items we give are His to be returned with thanks and praise.
Another form of praise is mentioned in the Bible when people give thanks in both prayers and telling others of His wonders. Paul reminds us to “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). The Hebrew writer adds that we are to do these things through and by the authority of Christ. “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). The words we sing or speak while teaching others or praying to God are praises to God because we obey His commands.
We note that Daniel praised God in his prayers. He said when God had revealed the king’s dream, “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter” (Daniel 2:23). Even the king of Babylon praised God and spread knowledge of His wonders to the people. “It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me. How great are His signs and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and His dominion is from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:2-3).
Daniel does not mention singing, but David sang and recommended singing praises continually to others as in this Psalm. “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders” (Psalms 105:1-2). Paul, in Romans 15:11, partially quotes from the shortest chapter in the Bible. “Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD!”(Psalms 117:1-2).
Do we offer continual praise to God? Do we each have a song in our hearts throughout the day? Can others observe the way we love and proclaim the wonders of our God?
