Wholehearted Living: Wholehearted praise

 "I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works." — Psalm 9:1

"Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation." — Psalm 111:1

"I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You." — Psalm 138:1

Praise pleases God when it comes from the heart—the whole heart. The Lord does not desire a divided heart or half-hearted praise. He listens with delight to a song that flows from a true heart, even if it includes a few false notes, rather than one with perfect vocals but a divided heart. He does not want beautiful words that do not come from the heart.

The psalmist gives thanks to God for His marvelous works, recalls His mercies, and loves His Word; thus, praise springs naturally from his heart. Every child of God echoes the same words: “I will praise You with all my heart.”

Topical meditation 2024

November 11