WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
FEBRUARY 07, 2026
TOPIC: SING PRAISES TO THE LORD
BY T. O. BANSO
“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people” (Psalm 9:11 New King James Version).
The subject of singing praises to the Lord is mentioned many times in the Bible. It is something that should fascinate every child of God because the Person he is praising is his Father. David said in Psalm 9:11, “Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people” (New King James Version).
David also said in Psalm 68:32, “Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah” (New King James Version). The Hebrew word for the phrase, “oh, sing praises”, is zam-mə-rū. To sing praises to the Lord is to celebrate Him in singing songs with your mouth and praising Him with physical expressions, including clapping hands, playing instruments, and raising hands. Which true son would not like to celebrate his father?
As the Topical Bible says, “Praising God is the act of expressing reverence, adoration, and gratitude towards the Almighty. It is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting the believer’s acknowledgment of God’s supreme power, goodness, and mercy. Praise is not only a response to God’s actions but also an essential aspect of worship and a vital part of the believer’s relationship with God.”
Unfortunately, some contemporary so-called songs of praise are really not. The lyrics do not focus on God – His character and works. The songs focus on the worshipper, not God. They are mere emotional and entertainment songs that make people who sing them feel good. The songs are for them, not for God. They are performance-oriented and self-focused. Those singing these songs are just enjoying themselves as they perform the latest dance steps. But not all contemporary songs of praise fall into this category.
When we sing praises to the Lord, we celebrate Him. Any child of God who understands this will celebrate Him wholeheartedly. Have you seen someone being celebrated who then curses those celebrating him? Rather, the person being celebrated is pleased with those celebrating him, and if there is anything he can do to reciprocate, he won’t withhold it.
When we sing praises to the Lord, we must know that He deserves it. He created us for Himself. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11 New Living Translation). Sing of God’s attributes and marvellous deeds.
If you’re a Christian, don’t use your mouth to sing praises to the Lord and use the same mouth to sing praises to Satan. You wonder how the latter is possible. Isn’t that what some Christians do when they join the people of the world to sing some nonsensical songs that magnify the works of Satan? The lyrics of these popular worldly songs are neither Bible-based nor edifying.
When we sing the praises to the Lord, His presence is manifested. The same thing happens when people sing praises to Satan. Why should anyone who claims to be a Christian sing worldly songs that praise Satan, which opens him to demonic experiences? If such a person complains of being oppressed in his sleep, in the night, he invited Satan during the day while singing his praises through unwholesome music.
Don’t play such songs or music in your home. Don’t let it be in your mouth. Have you sung enough praises to the Lord to now have enough time to sing praises to the devil? You can never sing praises to the Lord enough. Sing praises to Him, not only in the church or at home, but as you go about your day. Play anointed music in your car as you’re in traffic and sing praises to the Lord. Celebrate Jesus!
Deborah and Barak, after Israel’s victory over Jabin, a Canaanite king, and his army commander, Sisera, said, in their song, “Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel” (Judges 5:3 New King James Version). The phrase “I will sing” is ă-zam-mêr. Deborah and Barak celebrated the LORD for the victory.
In Psalm 9:1-2, David said, “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (New King James Version). Again, the Hebrew word for “I will sing praise” in this scripture is ’ă-zam-mə-rāh. Sing praises to the Lord wholeheartedly. Celebrate Jesus in songs and music.
In Psalm 27, another psalm written by David, he mentions singing praises to the LORD. David said his head shall be lifted above his enemies all around him; therefore, he would offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; he would sing praises to the LORD (verse 6). Are you like David singing praises to the Lord for being your Light and your Salvation and for causing the wicked who came against you to eat up your flesh to stumble and fall? (Verses 1-2).
As you sing praises to the Lord, please take note of the following:
1. Make the most of being alive by singing praises to the Lord. The writer of Psalm 104 says, “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being” (verse 33 New King James Version). Similarly, the writer of Psalm 146 says, “While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being” (verse 2 New King James Version). Dead bodies cannot praise Him (Isaiah 38:18-19). Use your life to praise God.
2. Sing praises to the Lord with your whole heart. Sing enthusiastically. Don’t do it as if you’re serving a punishment! Psalm 138:1 says, “I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You” (New King James Version). David probably meant that he would sing praises to God in contempt of the false gods, or he would sing praises to God before kings and princes.
3. Sing of His mercy, justice, power, and other virtues or character of the Lord. David said, “I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, O Lord, I will sing praises” (Psalm 101:1 New King James Version). He also said in Psalm 59:16a, “But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning” (New King James Version).
4. Sing praises to the Lord publicly and privately. Hebrews 2:12 says, “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You” (New King James Version).
Don’t be ashamed of singing praises to the Lord without disturbing the peace of others. David said, “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations” (Psalm 57:9 New King James Version). He also said in Psalm 108:3, “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations” (New King James Version).
5. Sing praises to the Lord with the spirit and your understanding. Paul said he would pray with the spirit and with the understanding; he would sing with the spirit and with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15). You can sing praises to the Lord in known languages and in tongues.
6. Sing praises to the Lord with musical instruments. Hear David’s exact words in Psalm 144:9: “I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You” (New King James Version). Similarly, Psalm 71:22 says, “Also with the lute I will praise You—and Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel” (New King James Version).
Don’t worry if you can’t play any musical instrument. Maybe you can’t even ‘play’ the tambourine! You may not be able to play the harp of ten strings, but you can play good music with your ten fingers! In other words, clap your hands! Celebrate the Lord. Psalm 47:1 says, “Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!” (New King James Version). Sing praises to the Lord.
7. Sing to the Lord a new song. David said he would sing a new song to God (Psalms 144:9a). Other scriptures also talk about singing to the Lord a new song (Psalm 96:1; 98:1; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10). You can also. Yes, a new song that the Holy Spirit gives you. You are singing to the Lord, not for others to enjoy! The beat of the song is not important. You are singing to God, not a human being.
Conclusion: Sing praises to the Lord. As long as you live, sing praises to Him. Say with David, “To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy” (Psalm 59:17 New King James Version). Sing praises to His name forever (Psalm 61:8). Say with Asaph that you will always proclaim what God has done and sing praises to the God of Jacob (Psalm 75:9). Sing praises to the Lord.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, I will sing praises to You. Thank You for Your love, mercy, protection, provision, and all You have done for me. Holy Spirit, I receive Your help to continue to sing praises to the Lord while I am alive. Use your life to praise God in Jesus’ name.
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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