Praise and Worship Music, Praising the Lord, Getting in God’s Presence; these are several ways we can spend time with the Lord in praise and worship.

Praise means to “applaud, honor, glorify, admire.” There are many different ways we can praise other people, such as saying nice things about them, telling them how much they mean to us, etc. But when it comes to praising the Lord, it’s almost as if the word praise takes on a whole new meaning. It’s like trying to find the right words to say to thank you someone who has literally saved your life, because that is what God has done for each and every one of us — He has given us new life in Him. How can we adequately thank Him for everything He has done for us? What can we do or say to the one we love most to show our appreciation for everything He has done? If we look to His Word (as we should on all occasions), it tells us the various ways we can honor God for all the things He has done for us.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord

Psalm 33:3 (NIV): Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV): Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 98:4 (NIV): Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.
Psalm 150:1-5 (NIV): Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Sign praises to the Lord

Psalm 146:2 (NIV): I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Hebrews 13:15 (AMP): …Let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise….
Psalm 47:1 (NLT): …Shout to God with joyful praise!
Philippians 4:4 (KJV): Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Lift up your hands

Psalm 134:2 (NIV): Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. 
Be still and know He is God
Psalm 46:10 (NIV): Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Listening to anointed praise and worship music is a really great way to spend time in the presence of the Lord. While there are to the God-inspired teachers of the Word], God has also raised up some tremendous “ministers of music” in the body of Christ. If you have never listened to praise and worship music before, then you are in for a very pleasant and enjoyable experience. If you already listen, then you know what a blessing anointed praise and worship can be.

Spending time with the Lord while listening to praise and worship music is an awesome way to grow in your relationship with Him. When you do so, block out all other distractions around you. Just like when you spend time with the Lord in the Word, this is time for just you and Him, with no interruptions, no phones, devices or anyone else. It’s time you set aside for just you, the music and the Lord — to get into His presence. Sing along if you want it will enhance your time with Lord. It doesn’t matter if your singing voice is award-winning. Never be afraid or embarrassed to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” regardless of what anyone else might say or think. God will love it, and that is all that matters.

If you are not familiar with praise and worship music and have never listened to it before, it is very easy to find online. Just like all the topics we have covered on this site, there is not a right or a wrong type of praise and worship. The type or style you enjoy and can relate to is a matter of personal preference. As long as the music is praising and glorifying God and bringing your relationship with Him to a higher level, then it is the right music for you.

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