Continual Praise

Continual praise reminds us to make worship a daily practice, keeping our hearts focused on God with gratitude and joy.

“He appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel … Asaph played loud-sounding cymbals … Benaiah and Jahaziel blew trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant.”—1 Chronicles 16:4–6 NASB

David wanted to make praise a permanent condition of his people.

Yes, Israel had experienced a time of great national rejoicing. The Ark of the Covenant had been brought to Jerusalem, and there had been a loud celebration. People were dancing and singing as priests played on “musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals, playing to raise sounds of joy” (15:16).

But David wanted to make sure this was not just a one-time event. He made some of the Levites responsible for providing a continual reminder of the importance of praise. They were to dedicate their lives to celebration, thanksgiving, and worship, playing “loud-sounding cymbals” and blowing “trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.”

This is the pattern God wants for our lives. He knows how easily the cares of this world can dominate our hearts and minds. But He doesn’t want us depressed or anxious, afraid or worried. Instead, He wants us filled with praise and worship, focused on Him. God wants us to be full of gratitude, singing praises to His name and speaking about His wonderful deeds. Instead of being intimidated by what others might say, He wants us to boldly enter into praise by singing and playing skillfully, joyfully, and loudly!

Make this a day of praise and worship. Spend time before the Lord. Make praise and worship central to your life. No matter what is going on in the world, celebrate “continually.”

Reflection Question: How can you make praise and worship a constant part of your life?