Why Does the Bible Say that God Inhabits the Praise of His People?
Share
Where do we find God? A Scripture verse answers, “God inhabits the praises of his people.” As we search for God’s will with all our hearts, one place to find the Lord is within his people’s praises.
Praise and worship open the heart and mind to the word of God and faith, which transforms us. My mentor used to say, “Praise and worship sharpens and focuses the eye of faith.” Singing in church isn’t for entertainment or making us feel better. Lifting our voices to God possesses great power to engage with the King of King’s throne room.
But what does it mean for God to inhabit our praise?
Where Does the Bible Say that God Inhabits the Praises of His People?
The phrase is commonly linked to the KJV translation of Psalm 22:3, which states, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.” This verse, while not identical to the commonly quoted expression, conveys the notion that God is enthroned or dwells in the praises offered by His people.
Psalm 22 is a poignant and prophetic psalm attributed to David. This psalm uniquely captures the Psalmist’s deep emotional and spiritual anguish. The idea of God inhabiting Israel’s praises, included at the psalm’s beginning, gives a quick reminder amid spiritual and emotional anguish.
Interestingly, the most common interpretation is the verse means “God is enthroned in the praises of Israel.” Enthroned implies a more royal kingly authority within praise.
As the psalm progresses, it takes on messianic undertones, providing a prophetic glimpse into the suffering and redemption that would characterize Jesus’ life. Several verses in Psalm 22 are fulled in the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion.
The psalm doesn’t end with these dark thoughts. In verse 19, David turns his attention to praising God. He declares God’s holiness and acknowledges his role in Israel’s praises. This acknowledgment signifies a shift from lamentation to recognizing God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, even amid trials.
David closes the psalm by practicing what he teaches in verse 3. Through all the hardships he suffered, he chooses to come into the Lord’s presence, and what better way to do so than lifting God’s name in praise? The worship David offers praise to God, declaring that praise to himself, Israel, and the ends of the earth.
What Does It Mean that God Inhabits the Praises of His People?
At its core, the assertion suggests that praising God creates an atmosphere where his presence is acknowledged and actively invited to dwell. It transcends the notion of a distant, aloof deity. It paints a picture of a God intimately involved with His creation, responding to His people’s authentic expressions of adoration.
Praising God includes music, singing, shouting, dancing, and more. These are outward, biblical expressions of God’s greatness. Christians lift God’s name because of what he has done, is doing, and is yet to do. We adore him based on His unchanging nature.
God inhabiting praises signifies a dynamic and sacred exchange between the divine and the human. It implies that as individuals lift their voices in worship, extolling God’s attributes and character, they essentially create a space for His presence to manifest. It’s not God passively receiving praise. It involves God actively choosing to inhabit the midst of genuine adoration.
This concept challenges the perception that worship is a mere ritual or religious duty. Instead, it invites believers to understand how their praises impact their spiritual environment. It underscores the intimate connection between the worshiper and the divine. It emphasizes that heartfelt praise makes God’s presence accessible.
The New Testament further expands on this concept, emphasizing this idea continues in Christianity. The Apostle Paul frequently encourages believers to engage in worship and thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:18-20, for instance, urges believers to be filled with the Spirit, expressing their praise through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This reinforces the idea that the Holy Spirit is intricately linked to the Christian community’s expressions of worship.
Practically, understanding that God inhabits praises transforms worship from a one-sided communication to a two-way interaction. It prompts believers to approach worship with sincerity and authenticity, recognizing that their praises can usher in God’s tangible presence.
The principle of being “enthroned” adds more to this discussion. The praise God inhabits also enthrones him. Our worship must not only acknowledge but celebrate his sovereignty. Celebrating his sovereignty aligns us with an eternal truth: God is lord over all. Praise affirming God’s authority as King of Kings allows us to enjoy the greatest intimacy with him.
Why Does the Psalmist Say that God Inhabits the Praises of His People?
Psalm 22:1-2 poignantly expresses distress and vulnerability, as the Psalmist cries out the well-known opening words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words echo throughout the first half of the psalm. Centuries later, Jesus will repeat those words on the cross.
This psalm is attributed to King David, who had many opportunities to feel abandoned or betrayed. When David was a young boy, the prophet Samuel came to the house of Jesse to choose the next king. David was out with the sheep. His father neglected to bring him, parading his brothers before Samuel. But God chooses the forgotten David. Not long after, David’s brothers mock him when he decides to fight Goliath.
David becomes a great warrior and hero of Israel under the first king, Saul. Despite David’s loyalty, King Saul tries to kill him. When David escapes into the wilderness, Saul takes an army to hunt him down.
Years later, once David is king, David’s son Absalom stages a coup against his father, stealing the throne and the people’s hearts. David and those loyal to him regain the throne, yet the victory is empty due to Absalom’s death.
David knew well the feelings of betrayal and abandonment. However, he didn’t use these experiences as reasons to give up on God. He learned through these hardships how central praise and worship was to endure faithfully. David doesn’t write this psalm during a time of victory and abundance, but pain. He writes this song to remind himself (and others) of praise’s power.
To further illustrate David’s commitment to praise, he establishes 24/7 praise and worship around the Ark of the Covenant under an open tent outside Jerusalem. He appointed men and priests for it and supplied all they needed for this service.
God is enthroned in and inhabits heaven. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus qualifies God as “our Father, who is in Heaven.” Heaven is his abode. Revelation reveals a vision of God seated on his throne. Angels and mighty beings surround him in worship and praise. The people of God join in with this heavenly worship. When Christians sincerely praise God, we join with what already exists in the heavens.
Finally, it’s interesting to note that David was from the tribe of Judah, and Judah means “praise.” The tribe of Judah moved first during the days of Moses in the wilderness, when the pillar of fire or cloud would move. Jesus is known as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, highlighting the connection of God’s identity with praise and David’s lineage.
How Is Knowing God Inhabits the Praises of His People Encouraging?
We all go through hard times. We all deal with tragedies—from friends or family members dying to sicknesses to injuries. Like David and Jesus, we also encounter people who betray, wound, or mock us.
We also commit sins against others. Perhaps we have done the betraying or wounding (as David did in when he murdered his friend Uriah after sleeping with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba).
Where can we find God in such dark times? In praise.
As we see in Revelation, this praise already exists. We don’t need to manufacture worship. Through the Holy Spirit within us, and our lives being in Christ at the Father’s right hand, we continually enter the praise of heaven at work.
God draws near to us there.
This is an anchor amid life’s storms. Regardless of our difficulties, there is a tangible and responsive God who draws near when sincere adoration is offered. The alternate and complimentary term “enthroned” underscores the security we have in praise. God is sovereign and above all other rulers and powers. We can trust him.
This serves as a powerful incentive to engage in authentic worship. We must intentionally seek God through praise. We must prioritize moments of worship. We’re invited to set aside the world’s noise, turn our attention to the divine, and experience God’s transformative presence through heartfelt adoration.
This understanding also brings a sense of intimacy to Christianity. The idea that God is enthroned on the praises of His people suggests the divine is closene and accessible. It beckons believers into a relationship characterized by dynamic interaction, where the act of worship becomes a conduit for experiencing the very presence of God. In a world that often fosters a sense of isolation, this truth assures Christians that they are never alone, and their cries and praises are met with divine responsiveness.
Moreover, knowing that God inhabits praises fosters a resilient faith. In the face of challenges, uncertainties, and disappointments, the assurance that God actively engages with the heartfelt worship of His people becomes a source of strength and perseverance. It encourages Christians to approach trials with a perspective rooted in the transformative power of praise, recognizing that even in the darkest moments, God’s presence can be invoked through sincere adoration.
As David does in Psalm 22, the reality of God inhabiting praise goes beyond the individual. We invite others to worship along with us, both in our local churches but also around the world. Disciples of Christ gather to worship together—as a body of believers. Understanding that God inhabits the praises of His people fosters a sense of unity, of shared spiritual experience. It reinforces the idea that, as believers come together in worship, they create a sacred space. A space where the divine presence is not only acknowledged. A space where the divine presence is welcomed.
Furthermore, this knowledge is a catalyst for jou. Praising God, knowing the praise invites His presence, transforms worship into celebrating God’s goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty. It instills gratitude and joy that transcends circumstances. It reminds Christians that their ultimate joy source is the Creator’s abiding presence.
Peace.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Prostock-Studio
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy-to-read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. We hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in your life today.