I have a new song to introduce you to this week (I am sure that is no surprise to any of you!). I am constantly listening to music, so I hear new songs all the time. But this song in particular really resonates with me because the lyrics are helping me in my personal quiet time with the Lord. I know that I am supposed to be praising the Lord all day for the amazing things He has done, and for Who He is in and of Himself, but sometimes I run out of words and I find myself slipping into generic churchy phrases rather than really authentically praising God for His excellent greatness and for specific amazing things that He has done. I know that I told you I am reading this amazing book on worship (On Worship, H.B. Charles Jr.), and Pastor Charles has reiterated what I already knew - that praising God is every Christian’s joy and responsibility. I cannot remember off the top of my head, but I know I have researched how many times the Bible records a version of the command “Praise the Lord!” It is a big number, that much I do remember!

This song is That’s Who I Praise, recorded by Brandon Lake, and it is jam-packed with the names of people in the Bible who experienced God’s amazing work in their lives. David, Paul, Silas, Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Mary the sister of Lazarus, Moses and Joshua. Each of the names reminds me of the Scriptures I have read over my lifetime. The Word of God tells the true accounts of these great heroes of the Christian faith. These men and women cried out to God and received help when they were persecuted. They sang when they were imprisoned. They stood firm in the face of torture. They were faithful to God even when they knew it could result in their deaths. They believed in His power to reverse death! Their names in this song have helped me in my worship by prompting me to go all the way back to the beginning and trace God’s faithfulness and His mercy and His love for me through His Word. My Bible is a never-ending source of reasons to praise the God who has proven to me that He is still at work in the world around me, and even within me. No need for overused church phrases here – my very personal God is so much more inspiring!

I’m gonna praise, I’m gonna praise

I praise the mountain-moving, body-raising breaker of chains

Gonna praise, I’m gonna praise

I praise the Heaven-seated, undefeated, highest of Names

That’s who I praise, hey

I praise the God who’s proven He can do impossible things

That’s who I praise, hey, that’s who I praise

That’s who I praise

    Careen