“Also delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
This is a circle thought. Delighting in the Lord leads to your heart’s desire being received which is delighting in the Lord. Praise leads to the feelings of delight and joy which lifts the soul to the Lord which makes us sense Him more closely and that gives us the desire to praise Him more. Great circle to God.
Saint Augustine said “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
Scripture tells us that those who seek the Lord will praise Him, for as they seek they find Him, and on finding Him they will praise Him.
Lifting our hearts and voices in praise, leads us to God. It is said that singing is praying twice (St. Augustine). If we empower our prayer with praise, we add an infinite magnitude of power. We add joy even in the darkest times when need runs deep. We put our needs in the right order of things. Praise God first and foremost, when we’ve finally given God all due praise, then add or worries and fears. Yea, that’s a trick statement. We can never give God all the praise due Him. There isn’t enough praise in all creation and history to even come close to what is due God in His Glory. But, we can get lost in the praise we are offering. The praise, offered from the deepest depths of our heart can wash away all worldly strains. Can lift us into God’s presence where true peace is found.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits” Psalm 103:1-2