What It Means to Praise the Lord: a Brief Primer

If I say, “I just want to praise you, Lord,” I’m saying something good about my motives.

If I say, “I praise you, Lord,” I’m describing my good actions.

If I say, “Thank you Lord for answering my prayer,” I have not praised him, but thanked him.

If I say, “Praise the Lord!” I’ve asked others to say something to honor him.

If I say, “Lord, you alone know the future and will accomplish all your plan,” I have praised him for his own ears to hear.

If I say, “The Lord is powerful and can change this difficult situation,” I have praised him for others to be impressed.

Praising God is speaking to God and others about his amazing virtues.