09/08/2026
PRAISING GOD WITH FULL UNDERSTANDING
Text: Psalm 47:1–9
Minister: Pastor Joseph Akinbodewa
Praising God with understanding means worshipping and appreciating God knowingly, thoughtfully, and sincerely. It means that our praise is not just based on emotions, excitement, or what we are experiencing at the moment, but on our knowledge of who God is, His character, His attitude toward us, His mighty works, His faithfulness, and His sovereignty.
When we understand the God we are praising, our praise becomes more meaningful. We praise Him because we know that He is worthy, not only because we want something from Him.
Psalm 47:7 teaches us to sing praises to God with understanding. This means that we should know why we are praising Him and consciously recognize His authority as the King over all the earth.
Also, 1 Corinthians 14:15 emphasizes the importance of worshipping with both the spirit and the understanding. Therefore, true worship involves both our heart and our mind.
Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah give us a powerful example of praising God with understanding. In 2 Chronicles 20:21–22, Judah faced a powerful enemy that they could not defeat by their own strength. Instead of depending solely on their military ability, they trusted God and appointed singers to praise Him. As they praised, God intervened and gave them victory.
This teaches us that God is able to fight battles that are beyond our human ability. Praise can be an expression of our confidence in God's power and faithfulness.
Paul and Silas also demonstrated this kind of praise in Acts 16:25–26. They were beaten and imprisoned because of their faith, yet they did not allow their circumstances to stop them from worshipping God. At midnight, they prayed and sang praises to God.
Suddenly, there was a great earthquake. The prison doors opened and their chains were loosened. Their praise demonstrated that they understood that God remained sovereign even in their difficult circumstances.
1. Praise destroys barriers ( Joshua 6:1–20)
The walls of Jericho were a major barrier preventing Israel from entering the land God had promised them. God gave them specific instructions, and after following His command, the walls of Jericho fell.
This teaches us that when we trust and obey God, He can remove barriers that appear impossible to overcome.
Praise should therefore be accompanied by faith and obedience to God.
2. Praise brings us into the consciousness of God's presence (Psalm 22:3)
Psalm 22:3 describes God as dwelling in the praises of His people.
When we praise God sincerely, our attention is directed toward His presence, greatness, and goodness. Praise helps us become more conscious of God rather than being completely consumed by our circumstances.
3. Praise brings the fullness of joy ( Psalm 16:11)
Psalm 16:11 teaches that in God's presence there is fullness of joy.
Praise helps us focus on God's goodness rather than allowing our problems to control our emotions. Even when circumstances are difficult, remembering God's faithfulness can produce joy and inner strength.
4. Praise attracts God's blessings (Psalm 67:5–7)
Psalm 67 repeatedly calls the people to praise God and speaks of God's blessing.
Praise acknowledges God as the source of everything we have. When we recognize and appreciate His goodness, we become more conscious of His blessings and faithfulness.
5. Praise helps us preserve God's blessings (Malachi 2:1–3)
God's blessings should never make us forget the One who gave them to us.
A grateful heart recognizes that everything comes from God. Therefore, praise helps us maintain an attitude of thanksgiving and reminds us to remain faithful and obedient to Him.
6. Praise can lead to supernatural victory ( 2 Chronicles 20:1–25)
Jehoshaphat and Judah faced a battle that was too great for them. God told them that the battle belonged to Him.
As they trusted and praised God, He intervened on their behalf.
This teaches us that praise can be an expression of our faith when we are facing battles that are beyond our strength.
7. Praise removes pressure and brings pleasure ( Psalm 16:11)
Life can bring pressure, fear, disappointment, and anxiety. However, praise helps us shift our attention from our problems to God.
As we focus on God's presence and goodness, our hearts can receive peace, joy, and renewed strength.
8. Praise encourages supernatural lifting (Habakkuk 3:17–19)
Habakkuk described a situation where the crops had failed and there was no visible reason for rejoicing. Yet he made a decision to rejoice in God.
This teaches us that our joy does not always have to depend on our circumstances.
When we praise God in difficult situations, we demonstrate that our confidence is in God and not merely in what we see.
9. Praise is a step toward the fulfilment of God's promises (Romans 4:17–21)
Abraham believed God's promise even when the circumstances seemed impossible.
Romans 4 shows that Abraham remained strong in faith and gave glory to God because he was convinced that God was able to fulfil what He had promised.
Therefore, praise can express our confidence in God's ability even before we see the result.
10. Praise prepares the way for testimonies (Psalm 81:1–5)
God's people were encouraged to sing and celebrate His works.
When we praise God, we remember what He has done in our lives. Remembering His past faithfulness strengthens our faith and prepares our hearts to testify about His goodness.
The remaining things praise can do include:
11. Praise brings multiplication Jeremiah 30:19
12. Praise brings increase Psalm 67:5–7
13. Praise can bring deliverance 1 Samuel 16:23
14. Praise invites God to take over our battles 2 Chronicles 20:15–17
15. Praise acknowledges God as the One who goes before us Psalm 114:4–7
16. Praise brings freedom Acts 16:25–26
17. Praise can provoke God's righteous intervention Psalm 149:6–9
18. Praise draws attention to God's mighty hand 2 Chronicles 20:22
19. Praise can accompany sudden solutions to problems Acts 16:22–26
20. Praise reminds us that we are precious in God's sight Zechariah 2:8; Deuteronomy 32:10
Praising God with understanding is much more than singing songs or making joyful sounds. It is a deliberate and meaningful response to the knowledge of who God is and what He has done.
When we praise God with understanding, we praise Him because we know that He is faithful, powerful, merciful, loving, sovereign, and worthy of all honour.
The examples of Jehoshaphat, Paul, Silas, Abraham, and Habakkuk teach us that we can praise God not only when everything is going well but also when we are facing difficult circumstances.
Therefore, our praise should not be based only on what we see. We should praise God because we know who He is.
Praise God with your spirit.
Praise God with your understanding.
Praise God in good times.
Praise God in difficult times.
Praise Him because He is worthy.
When you understand who God is, you will understand why He deserves your praise.
