Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

Praise is defined as “the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something.”  I will add that when defined in a biblical sense, it is the “unconditional expression of approval”. Meaning when we praise God, there are no strings attached, no secret wish or deal.  The praise is natural, it is done to gain a favor from God.

If you aren’t sure how to praise God, please read any Psalm for example to help guide you in this. The Psalmist’s entire focus is on who God is, the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth.  The praise will always be unconditional, it is done merely because God is gracious, He is merciful, He is loving, He is omnipotent.

We see a glimpse of praise from the angels in heaven as they enter God’s throne room. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” they proclaim as seen in Isaiah 6:3.

Are you really praising the Lord, or are you praising yourself with the Lord is the question. If you believe you have some sort of synergistic cooperation relationship with Him, you most likely praise yourself instead of God.  By seeing yourself as somehow a worthy sinner, you praised yourself, not God.

Instead meditate on who God is, what He is, what He has done, and what He promised to do. Praise Him for the God He is!